Why Applying for NAFA’s 100 Best Fleets Was a Game-Changer for My Team

How Reflecting on Our Wins Helped Us Raise the Bar, And Get the Recognition We Deserved

"When I stopped focusing on the fear of being judged and started focusing on my team’s success, everything changed."

For a long time, I had no intention of applying for NAFA’s 100 Best Fleets.

I wasn’t sure where we’d rank, or if we’d even make the list. A past leader in our organization had placed in the top 20, so there was pressure. And truthfully, I was afraid of failing. I don’t enjoy being the center of attention, especially when it comes with judgment.

But in 2022, I had the chance to see the program from a different angle. I helped announce the winners for NAFA’s 100 Best Fleets, and what I saw completely changed my mindset. Behind the scenes, I saw the level of excellence, detail, and intention that goes into the submissions. I realized that this wasn’t just a competition, it was a celebration of real progress in our industry.

At the same time, I had been working hard to elevate my team. I wanted them to be seen, valued, and appreciated for everything they were doing to improve our operations. That’s when it clicked: this wasn’t about me. It was about them. They deserved the spotlight.

So I applied.

Why NAFA’s 100 Best Fleets Application Is Worth It ... Even If You Don’t Win

Submitting that application was more than a task. It became a moment of reflection. I finally took time to look back at:

What we were doing right

The improvements we made to our workflows

The inefficiencies we uncovered, and solved

How our team was embracing a culture of continuous improvement

Fleet leaders often stay focused on what’s broken or what’s next. But this forced me to pause and see how far we’d actually come.

In 2023, we landed at #16. In 2024, we broke the Top 10.

More importantly, my team saw the results of their hard work displayed in banners that now hang proudly in our shop. That feeling—seeing them recognized and celebrated—is something I’ll never forget.

The Unexpected Benefits of Applying to 100 Best Fleets

The recognition was great. But the real ROI came in what we gained from the process itself. Here’s what our team walked away with:

A chance to celebrate our accomplishments

Instant credibility with leadership, peers, and other agencies

A library of wins and measurable outcomes we now use in every stakeholder conversation

Free coaching and feedback from the judges

Serious motivation to keep improving

Elevated team morale and pride

And yes, some well-earned bragging rights.

See why 7x NAFA 100 Best Fleets winner Facundo Tassara believes every fleet should apply this year.

Tips for Fleet Managers Thinking About Applying

If you’re on the fence about applying, here’s my best advice:

1. Don’t wait to feel “ready.”

If you think you need a perfect fleet to apply, you’ll never do it. The application isn’t just about checking boxes, it’s about telling your story. And that story includes progress, resilience, and creativity.

2. Track your wins throughout the year.

Create a simple system to document your successes as they happen. Upgraded your fleet maintenance software? Write down how it improved workflow or reduced downtime. Improved a process? Track the labor hours or cost savings. You’ll thank yourself later.

3. Show the value behind every improvement.

Don’t just say you automated something, connect it to results. For example:

Implemented a fleet maintenance management system? Show how it improved on-time PM compliance and reduced asset downtime.

Streamlined work orders? Quantify the time saved per job, and how that affected technician productivity or budget savings.

Improved communication with stakeholders? Share survey data or feedback that shows increased satisfaction or trust.

Remember, these are the types of things that help protect in-house maintenance programs from outsourcing. When you can tell a data-driven story, you prove your value.

Get even more tips from Fleet Whisperer and NAFA 100 Best Fleets judge Steve Saltzgiver.