Episode 196: How to Go from Turning Wrenches to Calling Shots in Fleet

In this episode of The Fleet Success Show, host Nathan Schafer sits down with Brent Messner from the City of Las Vegas to explore a topic that's essential for every fleet professional: how to build a successful and lasting career in the fleet industry.

Starting from their humble beginnings as technicians, both Nathan and Brent share real, relatable stories of navigating the fleet world, embracing continuous education, and the pivotal moments that shifted their mindsets from "turning wrenches" to leading teams. Brent reflects on the moment his supervisor told him he was destined to run the place one day—a comment that sparked his journey toward leadership.

The duo dive into the importance of ongoing training, why technicians need to understand more than just tools, and how building strong vendor and peer relationships accelerates career growth. Whether you're just starting your fleet journey or you're a fleet manager looking to elevate your team, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Key Takeaways:

• Invest in Yourself: Don’t wait for your employer to offer training—seek it out and fund it if you have to. It pays off.
• Mentorship Starts Early: One comment from a supervisor can completely change a technician’s trajectory.
• Training Isn't Optional: Even if you're in government and budgets are tight, training can (and should) be baked into vendor contracts.
• Relationships Are Everything: Your network will help you solve the problems you haven’t even run into yet.
• Walk the Shop Floor: New fleet managers should spend time learning from their technicians and operators.
• Certifications Matter: Whether it’s ASEs, CAFM, or CPFP, showing you're an active participant in the field builds credibility.

 

Speaker Bios:

Nathan Schafer is a Fleet Success Manager at RTA: The Fleet Success Company, with over 25 years of experience in the fleet industry. From technician to manager to consultant, Nathan brings a real-world, no-fluff perspective to helping fleets succeed.

Brent Messner is the Fleet and Fuel Operations Manager for the City of Las Vegas and a co-host of the Not Just Fleet podcast. With a background in government fleet operations and a passion for technician training, Brent shares his journey from shop floor to leadership.