Fleet operations rarely go as planned. Vehicles break down, priorities shift, emergencies arise, and new information can quickly change decisions.

Desiree Taylor, Fleet Administrator at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, joins Chad Lindholm on Road Rageous to discuss how to manage this uncertainty. She explains that effective fleet leaders oversee not only vehicles, but also people, priorities, risk, and change.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

• [1:24] How Desiree unexpectedly found her way into fleet

• [4:19] Why persistence, training, and NAFA helped shape her career

• [6:08] Why she describes herself as a “chaos controller”

• [8:16] How fleet professionals prioritize when everything seems urgent

• [10:15] Why preventive maintenance is essential to staying ahead of reactive problems

• [13:24] How telematics and video have changed fleet decision-making

• [18:37] Why driver safety requires more than one-time training

• [21:38] What fleets should do when technology reveals unsafe driver behavior

• [22:18] How professional networks and continuous learning support fleet leaders

• [31:50] Why fleet is far more important to business operations than many organizations realize

• [33:05] The advice that shaped Desiree’s approach to fleet leadership

• [34:18] Why trusting yourself and persevering still matter

In this episode…

Taylor describes fleet as a dynamic environment where constant movement and attention are required. The discussion covers preventive maintenance, emergency response, driver training, telematics, AI, and professional development, highlighting how leaders anticipate issues and respond to the unexpected. The central message is clear: technology improves visibility, but people must decide how to act on the information they receive.

Key takeaways

• Fleet leadership requires constant prioritization and adaptability.

• Preventive maintenance can reduce the need for reactive problem-solving.

• Telematics and video provide valuable visibility into vehicles and driver behavior.

• Driver training should be reinforced continuously rather than treated as a one-time event.

• Technology does not replace human judgment or the need for meaningful coaching.

• Fleet is a critical part of operational performance, not simply a function that manages vehicles.

• Professional networks and ongoing education help fleet leaders adapt to change.

• Sometimes the most important leadership skill is trusting your judgment and persevering.

Resources Mentioned

• Chad Lindholm on LinkedIn

• Desiree Taylor on LinkedIn

• NAFA Fleet Management Association

• IMPROVLearning

Listen to the full conversation for more insights from Desiree Taylor on managing fleet operations, safety, technology, and ongoing uncertainty.