SHzoom | Bridging the FleetGap

Fleet careers are no longer “dirty, oily jobs”—they’re dynamic, high-tech opportunities shaping the future of fleets across the nation!

On Future of Fleets #FoF Friday on LinkedIn, fleet expert Herbert Pruitt shared his inspiring journey from an unexpected start in mechanics to leading multi-million-dollar fleet operations at Verizon and BJ’s Wholesale Club. In this exclusive interview, Herbert reveals how he successfully transitioned a skilled #USAF 2T3 veteran into a leadership role in this tech-driven field, showcasing the potential of military expertise in transforming fleet operations.

Now, it’s your turn to join the movement reshaping the fleet industry! Don’t forget to take the #FleetGap Survey today!

The Bridging the FleetGap Program, a groundbreaking partnership between SHzoom, NAFA, and DoD SkillBridge, is transforming fleet management by creating a seamless transition for military personnel into civilian roles. For years, the industry lacked a dedicated apprenticeship program for fleet managers—until now.

This initiative goes beyond traditional hiring practices. Through this partnership, NAFA members can post job openings directly to SkillBridge, eliminating the need for individual sign-ups and opening doors to a highly trained, mission-driven talent pool.

By leveraging military precision and discipline, the #FleetGap Program ensures veterans can integrate effortlessly into the complex demands of modern fleet operations while addressing the industry’s pressing talent gaps. This isn’t just a program—it’s a movement to reshape and elevate the future of fleet management.

Join us in building this bridge and shaping the next generation of fleet leaders.

Take the #FleetGap Survey Now.

Herbert Pruitt is a seasoned veteran in fleet management and an Executive Fleet Advisor.  He was the Principal Assistant Director of the US Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Asset Administration, as well as the Director of Fleet Operations at Verizon and the Vice President of Fleet, Safety, & Compliance at BJ’s Wholesale Club. In a conversation with Pruitt, we explored his journey into fleet management and the exciting potential to “bridge the gap” between military and civilian fleet management.

Herbert Pruitt’s journey into fleet management was far from conventional. Growing up in Boston, he attended the Hubert Humphrey Occupational Resource Center, a vocational high school where he split his time between academic studies and learning a trade. Pruitt initially had no interest in mechanics, preferring to work with computers. However, a scheduling mix-up placed him in a power mechanics class, where he discovered his passion for vehicles and fleet management: “I was a kid who’d had no ambition, never wanted to work on a car, never wanted to get his hands dirty.  But then, I listened to one of my instructors explain the workings of a combustion engine, and when I tell the story, I said, ‘That’s when I fell in love with vehicles and fleet.’” This unexpected start led him to a fulfilling career, progressing from a high school student working on cars to a vice president overseeing extensive fleet operations.

Pruitt’s early experiences highlighted the importance of practical, hands-on learning. “I was 16 years old. I’ll never forget it. I thought I was going to be an apprentice at a local rental car company called Economy Rental Car,” he recalls. The owner of the company told him that 80 vehicles would be rented out every single day, and thus Pruitt ran his first fleet at only 16 years old. This foundation set the stage for his later success in fleet management, where he excelled by combining technical skills with a keen understanding of business operations.

Transitioning military personnel into civilian roles presents unique challenges and incredible opportunities. Herbert Pruitt sheds light on a key obstacle: the contrast in leadership styles and expectations. Military leaders often excel in structured, hierarchical environments where orders are followed without question. However, in civilian roles, success demands a different approach.

“You need to help those leaders understand that it’s not the military—that you’ll lead people and influence them not just through positional authority but by doing the right thing: contributing to the company and society,” Pruitt explains. “Veterans often struggle to adapt from a highly regulated environment with policies and procedures for everything. Awareness is critical—you don’t need to change who you are but adjust your approach to achieve the same results. The same strategies that brought success in the military could lead to losing a civilian job in six months without adaptation.”

Another challenge lies in how military skills and experience are perceived. Many civilian employers fail to recognize the full value of military training, leading to missed opportunities for both veterans and organizations. Pruitt emphasizes, “The best way to connect with military personnel is through other veterans. When I hired military professionals, I partnered them with someone who had successfully transitioned—a peer they could trust. A Marine listens to another Marine, not someone who wasn’t there.”

This peer-to-peer connection helps ease the adjustment into civilian fleet management roles, enabling veterans to excel in their new environments and maximize their potential.

Hiring retired service members isn’t just about giving back; it’s a strategic investment in the future of fleet management. Pruitt points out, “Military hires bring rigor to the fleet industry. They don’t just help us ‘hire heroes.’ They can teach us to build the policies and procedures that made them successful and, in turn, move the entire industry forward.” Veterans are uniquely positioned to enhance civilian fleet operations, leveraging their skills to streamline processes, improve discipline, and drive meaningful progress.

The #FleetGap Program, a transformative partnership between SHzoom, NAFA, and DoD SkillBridge, is reshaping the way military personnel transition into civilian fleet roles. By creating clear pathways and tailored support systems, this initiative is bridging the gap between military expertise and the evolving needs of the fleet management industry.

Through this program, NAFA members can directly post job openings to SkillBridge, giving them access to highly skilled, mission-driven veterans ready to lead. Meanwhile, transitioning service members are paired with mentors and provided with resources to adapt their leadership styles, align their military discipline with civilian expectations, and thrive in fleet management roles.

This collaboration represents a bold step forward in addressing workforce gaps, fostering innovation, and ensuring the success of both veterans and the civilian fleet industry. Together, we’re building a bridge where challenges become opportunities—and where the next generation of fleet leaders is empowered to excel.

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