Sam P. Lamerato, CPFP is a well-respected and recognized leader. He was chosen by the public fleet industry among the 10 inaugural Public Fleet Hall of Fame inductees. He was also the very first person to receive the Legendary Lifetime Achievement Award – an annual recognition launched in 2014 that was sponsored by Government Fleet Magazine and Sourcewell (formerly the National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA).
Sam began his career with the City of Troy, MI in 1974 as a service person on the shop floor, then moved through the roles of mechanic, lead, heavy equipment mechanic, and shop foreman. In 1982, he was promoted to Superintendent of Fleet Maintenance and remained in that position until his retirement after over 42 years in the industry in December 2015. The City of Troy has a population of 85,000 and encompasses 36 square miles. Troy’s fleet operation has over 500 vehicles and pieces of equipment, including 70 police vehicles, 36 fire apparatus/equipment, and 56 pieces of snow removal equipment. The City of Troy Fleet Division maintains two locations with a total of 17 full time employees providing services on two shifts. Under Sam’s leadership, the Division received the Blue Seal of Excellence from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence from 2004-2015 (the only municipal repair facility in Michigan to receive the award). The City of Troy Fleet Division was named the Third-Best Fleet in North America in 2006, the Second-Best Fleet in North America in 2007, and in the Top 20 of The 100 Best Fleets in North America in 2008 and 2009. In June 2010, it was named the #1 Fleet in The 100 Best Fleet in North America program. In August of 2010 Sam received the APWA’s award for Professional Manager of the Year – Public Fleet.
Sam has been an active member of the American Public Works Association (APWA) since 1982 and served as Co-chair of Education for the Michigan Chapter APWA between 1995-2014. He also founded the Southeastern Oakland County Motor Pool Association in 1983, was President of Southeastern Oakland County Superintendents Association in 2000, and was the Equipment Maintenance Council Vice-President from 2001-2002. Between 2002-2004 and 2014-2016, Sam served as Fleet Services Committee Chairperson, was a member of the APWA Fleet Services Committee between 2012-2018, and was appointed to the APWA Fleet Certification Governance Council between 2006-2008 as well as 2015-2018. Sam received the prestigious Michigan APWA 2005 Professional Manager of the Year – Fleet Management Award in recognition of his outstanding career service achievements in public sector fleet management, operation, and maintenance and exceptional performance in fleet maintenance education. Sam obtained his APWA Certified Public Fleet Professional Certification (CPFP) in 2007, and was awarded the APWA Top Ten Leader Award in 2008.
Sam was appointed to the Chrysler Fleet Advisory Council between 2004-2006, and the Chrysler Police Advisory Board between 2006-2010, and in 2006 received a Civilian Commendation from the Troy Police Department in appreciation of his contribution to law enforcement. In April of 2011 Sam was named as a top three finalists for the Government Fleet Magazine -Public Sector Fleet Manager of the year. In June 2011, was named Government Fleet Magazine-Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year. The City of Troy Fleet Division was named an Elite Fleet in North America from 2011-2015.
Sam is a State of Michigan Auto and Truck Certified Mechanic and former Master ASE Auto & Medium/Heavy Truck Certification. He has experience with a variety of software programs including New World Financial systems, Faster Asset Solutions, E.J. Ward Fuel Management, Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, WiTech – Chrysler Diagnostics, ALLDATA, Andover Continuum Building access and security software, etc. He has served as a judge for the Government Fleet Magazine Leading Fleets Award from 2011-2014 and 2016-2019. He is a speaker and served on the Board of Directors for Public Fleet Summits (PFS) from 2014-May 2019. In his retirement, he has provided advice as a fleet management consultant.
In 2017, Sam launched a partnership to create Public Fleet Advisors (PFA) to provide direct fleet management mentorship to public fleet organizations. He serves as a Principal Advisor and enjoys helping organizations to implement fleet efficiencies to streamline and strengthen their operations.