Navigator Award Finalist: Dale Collins, Supervisor, Fairfax Water Fleet Services
Making fleet work interesting and sustainable.
This is the 13th in a series of profiles on the 50 finalists for Route Fifty’s Navigator Awards program. The first 10 finalists were from the Government Allies and Cross-Sector Partners category. Finalists 11-20 were from the Agency and Department Leadership category. Finalists 21-30 were from the Executive Leadership category. Finalists 31-40 were from the Next Generation category. Finalists 41-50 were from the Data and IT Innovators category. Explore our complete list of 50 finalists.
Managing the vehicle fleet for Virginia’s largest water utility is a daunting task, but Dale Collins rose to the challenge, establishing fiscal and environmental sustainability measures along the way.
In 2013, the Fairfax Water fleet services supervisor launched investigation aimed at minimizing the amount of time drivers idled their engines—culminating in a behavioral and technical policy that reduced fuel and maintenance costs and emissions while extending vehicle lifespans.
Collins has since shared the policy with other jurisdictions, and as chair of the National Association of Fleet Administrators’ Nation’s Capital Chapter, he continues to promulgate clean and green best practices across agency lines.
“Dale has utilized a number of environmentally friendly options in his own fleet,” according to his Navigator Award nomination submission. “He continues to help educate and train fellow fleet managers and administrators on how to implement these practices into their own operations.”
Described by one colleague as a leader and a mentor, Collins has explored the use of positive reinforcement for drivers, alternative fuels and purchasing requirements.
Collins doesn’t shy away from explaining the ins and outs of sizing requirements for fuel tanks and lift gates, and instilling a sense of duty in his team is essential to achieving the end goal—improving customer satisfaction.
“Dale is a dedicated and responsive manager who truly cares about his colleagues, who develops the greatest potential in all of his employees and co-workers, and who generates legitimate enthusiasm for fleet work,” according to his nomination.
Dave Nyczepir is News Editor at Government Executive’s Route Fifty and is based in Washington, D.C.
NEXT STORY: Navigator Award Finalist: Jonathan Ball, Chief Legislative Fiscal Analyst, Utah State Legislature