By Christopher Lyon
NTEA Director of Fleet
Relations
chris@ntea.com
This article was published in the October 2015 edition of NTEA
News.
Inheriting the Fleet Perspective column from Bob
Johnson, who recently retired from his role as NTEA director of fleet relations,
is a weighty responsibility, as it feels like I’m trying to fill extraordinarily
large shoes. My goal is to continue Bob’s mission of providing truck equipment
distributors and manufacturers with information to strengthen customer
relations.
Many suppliers strive for continuous improvement and
accurate anticipation of customer needs. However, this can be more complicated
than it sounds, as there is sometimes a gap between customer expectations and
real-world business constraints. In the end, it needs to be a two-way street,
with suppliers and customers making an effort in their respective roles and
developing a reciprocal relationship.
This column offers an ideal platform for addressing
issues and ideas from fleet managers and end users to help suppliers gain
greater awareness of their point of view. At the other end of the spectrum, some
fleet managers are not always clear on regulatory limitations, supply chain
issues and the economics of operating a successful truck equipment company. I
see opportunities in my position to continue educating fleets about these
challenges. Working together, it is possible to increase efficiency from
specification to delivery — and, more importantly, achieve the ultimate goal of
productive, safe, compliant work trucks.
Who is Christopher Lyon?
In terms
of my background, I was born and raised in a western suburb of Chicago. (Go
Cubs! And, ketchup on a hotdog is practically against the law around here.) When
I first started college, I pursued computer science and geographic information
systems. Although these skills have proven invaluable, I was not enthusiastic
about them. Ultimately, I completed my college career in business management and
found my passion in the area of fleet management. For more than a decade, I
worked in the municipal sector, assuming responsibility for Class 1–8 vehicle
procurement, maintaining fleet information systems and ensuring regulatory
compliance on fleet assets. I was also a major driver of the organization’s
sustainability program and provided opportunities and solutions for fleets. In
addition, I handled fuel procurement and quality, as well as infrastructure
maintenance and development. I continued to broaden my skillset, and received
the Certified Automotive Fleet Manager designation from the National Association
of Fleet Administrators.
As already implied, I am a firm believer in
sustainability. This concept actually goes far beyond alternative fuels and
recycling. At its core, it involves using less of a limited resource, while
maintaining productivity. Small sustainable choices and actions can make a big
difference.
Moving forward
You may be
wondering what will happen to Fleet Perspective. As the industry grows
and evolves, I will continue exchanging ideas and knowledge, using this column
as a platform to communicate important issues. I want to thank Bob Johnson for
his lifetime of service to the work truck industry as he has mentored many of us
without realization or recognition. In closing, I hope to bring a fresh
perspective on fleet/supplier relations. Feel free to send me an email or give
me a call. I look forward to meeting many of you in the coming
months.
If you have any questions regarding this article or other
fleet-related matters, contact Christopher Lyon at 248-479-8196 or
chris@ntea.com.