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2008 National Conference and Equipment Show

"Fleets Collaborating to Enhance Sustainability"

September 9-12, 2008 / Las Vegas, NV

The Rocky Mountain Fleet Management Association 2008 Conference and Equipment Show is shaping up to be an exciting combination of valuable vehicle and equipment exhibits, technical and management training, and fun after hours events including an afternoon ride along opportunity of a lifetime at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

This year’s conference features a unique partnership with the Las Vegas Regional Clean Cities Coalition, a "Green Fleet" track and an opportunity to connect with Clean Cities coordinators from RMFMA member states.

The preliminary agenda is available here for your perusal. Please check back to this website frequently. Online vendor and regular member registration capability will be available as soon as possible.

2008 Newsletter is Now Available

Download the Spring Newsletter here.

Posted By: Karen Bloodworth
karen@rmfma.org
2008-05-05 10:43:25

RMFMA Members John Gonzales and Art Hale Quoted in Rocky Mountain News

AGENCIES VARY ON FUEL CHOICES AMID COST, CLIMATE CONCERNS - Biodiesel Price Among Factors in Deciding How to Power Vehicles

By Todd Hartman, Rocky Mountain News

Front Range governments, including Denver and Colorado Springs, and the state are embracing clean fuels and vehicles, filling up with biodiesel and ethanol, and adding hybrids to their fleets. The movement is aimed at saving money and cutting pollution, including emissions contributing to global warming. But other agencies are backing off, as one major fuel - biodiesel - has grown costlier than the conventional diesel it was meant to replace.

At the same time, biofuels, especially ethanol, have come under criticism for contributing to recent worldwide food shortages, as farmers grow crops for fuel instead of food. Even so, proponents remain enthusiastic about cutting dependence on petroleum. "We are huge believers in it," said Colorado Springs fleet finance manager Nick Kittle, who runs what one trade magazine recently called the largest public biodiesel fleet in the nation at 2,400 vehicles. Not only has the effort saved the city money - $1.2 million in fuel costs over three years, Kittle said - but it also has reduced emissions, including 5 million pounds of carbon dioxide, a global warming gas.

That is the equivalent of taking 500 cars off the road for a year, he said. Colorado Springs has saved money because it took the risky step of betting on future prices - and won. It locked in long- term contracts for biodiesel that spared the city the recent steep rise in cost tied to the soaring price of soybeans, a common ingredient in the fuel.

But some other biodiesel customers, including school districts that were using it to run their buses, have retreated. Biodiesel, they say, has grown pricier than conventional diesel, even when factoring in federal subsidies that make the cost more competitive. "Cost is always an issue and that is what is so frustrating with biodiesel," said Pauline Gervais, executive director of transportation for Denver Public Schools. Gervais has long been a champion of the fuel because it cuts emissions on buses that many children ride during most of their school years. "When it first started, it was so attractive because it was less than diesel. But it has done nothing but go up since," she said. Denver began using biodiesel in its 400-bus fleet in 2005, but had to stop not long after that, Gervais said.

Adams 12 Five Star Schools quit using the fuel in its 140 buses about two months ago, said John Gonzales, fleet manager. Once government credits are considered, it still costs about 10 cents a gallon more to use biodiesel at current prices, he said. "When every school district is looking at running 300,000 gallons a year, that begins to add up," he said. In his own district, he estimated biodiesel would now add an additional $25,000 a year in fuel costs - a tough sell considering the district budget has been cut $5 million a year the past two years and will likely have to cut that much again this year, Gonzales said.

Around the metro area, public agencies show a mishmash of interest in the cleaner fuels and greener vehicles. Two areas where enthusiasm runs highest - the city of Denver and within state government, championed by Mayor John Hickenlooper and Gov. Bill Ritter - are operating under major "greening" initiatives designed to conserve energy and cut emissions.

Denver started ahead of the curve. The city began purchasing Toyota Prius hybrids seven years ago, and in 2001 its fleet of 39 was believed to be the largest in the nation, said Nancy Kuhn, with the Denver fleet maintenance division. Today, the city owns 144 hybrids, including Priuses, Ford Escapes and Toyota Camrys. Not only do the vehicles, which can get nearly 50 miles per gallon in the city, save loads of gasoline, but "hybrids have been a good financial investment for the city - the first generation of vehicles maintained 73 percent of their purchase value after five years," Kuhn said.

Hybrids also are spreading within state government, with 67 in the fleet now and the number expected to climb to more than 200 in 2009, said state fleet manager Art Hale. Whether hybrids help or hurt taxpayers remains open to question. The cars are typically more expensive than conventional vehicles by a few thousand dollars, though government agencies usually get discounts through bulk purchases. Further, as the price of gasoline continues to climb, hybrid owners have a better chance of eventually recouping the extra cost through savings on fuel purchases.

State officials say they are seeing more savings through growing use of E85 - a blend of 85 percent corn-based ethanol and 15 percent conventional gasoline. Last spring, state "flex-fuel" vehicles that can run on either gasoline or ethanol were using about 200 gallons a month of E85. A year later, that total has grown tenfold, to 2,000 gallons a month. Hale projects that will grow another 10 times in the next few years in keeping with goals set out in the greening government initiative to cut petroleum use in state government by 25 percent by 2012.

Debate rages over the environmental benefits of ethanol. Many agree that it cuts harmful emissions associated with conventional gasoline, but others doubt that it is helping cut global warming emissions. The state pays roughly $2.20 a gallon for E85, Hale said, compared with a little over $3 for regular unleaded gasoline. Even when taking into account a 20 percent loss in fuel efficiency with E85, the state ends up paying 30 to 40 cents less per gallon of fuel, he said.

Hale echoed several fleet managers who said they are closely following the emerging concern that a shift in agriculture to grow more corn for ethanol is contributing to food shortages that have led to riots in several developing countries and price rises that are hurting the poor. Hale said he believes there is some merit to the concern, but that the fast rise in petroleum prices is a bigger part of the problem, boosting the cost of growing and delivering food. "Every single alternative fuel has pros and cons associated with it. I think what we really need to bear in mind is that corn ethanol is a bridge technology" that will lead to alternative plant sources that require less energy to grow than corn and will not have the same impact on food supplies.

In large part, fleet managers embracing the cleaner fuels and vehicles see the effort as helping push society toward new technologies in what promises to be a long transition from finite oil supplies and dependence on fuels from unstable parts of the world. But they are also responding to public demand. Even in a conservative city such as Colorado Springs, "green issues come up more and more often," Kittle said. "People want to know what communities are doing to become more green."

hartmant@RockyMountainNews.com 303-954-5048
Rocky Mountain News http://www.rockymountainnews.com/

Posted By: Karen Bloodworth
karen@rmfma.org
2008-05-02 12:53:10

Government Fleet Expo 2008

Government Fleet Expo 2008

RMFMA Members Receive $100 Discount! Reference promo code Fleet to receive your discounted rate.

You are invited to attend the 2008 Government Fleet Expo & Conference (GFX), June 8-10 in San Diego. GFX is a new conference created uniquely for public sector fleet managers by public sector fleet managers in association with Government Fleet Magazine. RMFMA has created a partnership with the conference that will allow you to attend at a discounted rate.

The agenda has been developed based on input from over 250 government fleet managers with the goal of providing immediate take-home value for you. From APWA certification and Six Sigma training to learning how obtain grant money and walking away with a copy of an actionable business plan, GFX is all about ROI and giving you solutions you can implement the day you get home.

You will also have the opportunity to network and learn with the most experienced fleet managers. Share ideas and brainstorm solutions to your most pressing problems during 2 days of training sessions, networking receptions and roundtable discussions.

You can register or find out more info at www.govfleetexpo.com. We are involved because we believe it is a valuable opportunity. If you register before May 9th you will save $100 on your conference pass. Visit www.GovernmentFleetExpo.com and use promo code Fleet, or call 800-576-8788. Don�t forget, RMFMA members receive a $100 discount off of the registration fees. Be sure to reference promo code Fleet to receive your discounted rate.

Contact Information

Phone: 800-576-8788
Web Link: http://www.governmentfleetexpo.com/

Posted By: Karen Bloodworth
karen@rmfma.org
2008-04-14 14:47:01

Call For 2009 RMFMA Officer Nominations

Nominations are now open for the positions of 2009 RMFMA President-Elect and Association Secretary. We invite members to notify your Chapter leaders if there are individuals that you would like to nominate for either of these positions.

Chapters are encouraged to foster competition and may consider as many nominees as they wish. The Chapter should arrive at a single candidate according to their Chapter voting procedures. Each Chapter Chair shall submit one nominee for each Association vacancy. Nominees must be Fleet Members in good standing and willing to serve if elected, with two exceptions:

1) Arizona cannot nominate a chapter member for President-Elect, Arizona may nominate someone from a different chapter.

2) Gayle Patterson has reached her term limit and cannot be nominated for Secretary. Gayle may run for President-Elect if she wishes.

The President-Elect is a one year position with advancement to President the following year. After serving as the President, the individual becomes a national Board Member for five years. This is a seven year commitment.

The Association Secretary position is a two-year term. The individual may serve a maximum of two, two-year terms.

I would like challenge EVERY CHAPTER to nominate a member for these two offices. We should have more great individuals competing to lead our Association. A picture and short bio are required.

The deadline for submission is June 1, 2008. Forward your Chapter nominations to Karen@rmfma.org. Ballots for the election of 2009 RMFMA Officers will be mailed to the fleet membership on June 20th.

Let the nominations begin!

Keith Swearingen
Equipment Maintenance Supervisor
City of Casa Grande, AZ Public Works
520-421-8600 ext 4600 Phone
520-836-5910 Fax
kswearingen@casagrandeaz.gov
RMFMA 2008 President-Elect
2008 RMFMA Fleet Management Conference & Equip. Show, September 8-11 Las Vegas, NV

Posted By: Karen Bloodworth
karen@rmfma.org
2008-03-10 12:57:48

Call for RMFMA Award Nominations

Do you know an exceptional fleet professional or an outstanding regular or associate RMFMA member? The RMFMA is accepting nominations for the 2008 Awards Program. The winner in each of the three categories will be recognized during the Awards Banquet on Thursday, September 11, 2008 at the RMFMA Fleet Management Conference & Equipment Show in Las Vegas, NV.

Every state chapter should recognize a co worker or one of your peers by nominating them! I challenge every chapter to place this topic high on the agenda for your next meeting. Our goal is to receive a minimum of three nominations, one for each award, from every chapter. These are very prestigious awards and the winners will have many accolades coming there way.

Award nominations must be submitted by midnight on July 11, 2008. Following is a brief description of the awards.

FLEET PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR AWARD

This award is granted to a Fleet Professional whose organization belongs to the RMFMA and has brought about a significant advance in the management OR operation of the fleet. Such achievements may be productivity, quality, service, innovation, community service, and employee development. It can be in the areas of new methods, tools, record keeping, O&M, equipment, facilities or procedures. THE NOMINEE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE IN MANAGEMENT.

Link to nomination form:

http://www.rmfma.org/downloads/fleet_professional_award.pdf

OUTSTANDING MEMBER of the YEAR AWARD and OUTSTANDING ASSOCIATE MEMBER of the YEAR AWARD

This award is granted to ONE ASSOCIATE and ONE MEMBER of the RMFMA who has contributed time and effort in the support, promotion and operation of the Association. Such distinguished contributions should consist of serving on special committees, doing research, writing reports, obtaining new members, assisting with meetings, community service, serving as officers and promoting the goals and objectives of the Association.

Link to nomination form:

http://www.rmfma.org/downloads/member_service_award.pdf

Submit Nominations To:

Karen Bloodworth, Executive Director
Karen@rmfma.org
PO Box 442
Stillwater, OK 74076
Phone: 800.667.6362
Fax: 866.869.6445

Contacts:

Keith Swearingen, kswearingen@casagrandeaz.gov 520-421-8615
Karen Bloodworth, Karen@rmfma.org 800 667 6362

Thanks,

Keith Swearingen
RMFMA President-Elect
kswearingen@casagrandeaz.gov
520-421-8615