James Swantek
Berlin,MD
Summary
Results-driven fleet and maintenance management professional with over 20 years of experience delivering innovative solutions for forward-thinking organizations. Possesses a strong ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, strategically deploying resources and capital throughout project lifecycles. Proven expertise in implementing continuous improvement strategies, change management, and lean principles within construction environments, complemented by a talent for designing standard operating procedures that enhance efficiency. A motivational leader skilled in fostering cohesive teams across diverse locations, consistently achieving operational improvements on time and under budget while leveraging advanced technical knowledge across various competencies and technologies.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Regional Fleet Manager
EVO Transportation
Baltimore MD
01.2024 - Current
- Manage the complete maintenance and repair of all company trucks, trailers and support Vehicle across 5 states
- Work with in an assigned budget, approve all capital expenses, and parts requisitions to manage all maintenance costs.
- Verify all vehicles have current DOT inspections, IFTA stickers, and registrations perform on site vehicle audits along with on site shop audits.
- Work with shop managers and verify all operational equipment needs are met, manage
- Work with VP of maintenance to establish long- and short-term plan for vehicle replacements
- Complete all technician interviews, hiring, on-boarding, terminations, promotions and training
- Work with safety in accident investigations, and monitoring of all vehicles idle time and road Speeds.
- Work hands on in fleet shops to help diagnose involved mechanical or electrical failures
- Work with parts vendors to set up training classes for new parts and software usage
- Manage on site fueling and fuel card usage, manage company credit card usage issued to any Direct report.
- Work with operations when onboarding new drivers to explain features and functions the truck, assist with fuel card training and on site fueling.
- Assist breakdown team with any mechanical or electrical road failures to try and eliminate the Costly expense of towing vehicles.
- Maintain relationships with all tire and parts vendors as well as outside shops and towing Companies.
- Managing the acquisition of and returning of rental equipment.
Fleet Manager
Pepsi
Columbia MD
01.2020 - 01.2024
- Manage complete Maintenance of trucks, trailers, support vehicles and warehouse equipment at 14 locations
- Assist SR fleet manage with forecasting for parts and repair maintenance costs.
- Manage all technicians onboarding, training, promotions, terminations, yearly and quarterly reviews in a union shop environment.
- Perform on site vehicle audits and scheduling of vehicle PMs.
- Verify all vehicles are DOT compliant, IFTA compliant and has a valid registration.
- Manage all parts orders seek approval of all high dollar parts and repairs from SR leadership
- Manage relationships with all parts vendors, outside shops and towing companies.
- Work hands on in the shops to assist in the diagnosing of more involved mechanical and Electrical repairs.
- Perform on site vehicle and shop audits.
- Managed vehicle maintenance schedules, optimizing uptime and reducing repair costs.
- Developed and implemented training programs for drivers, enhancing operational efficiency.
Fleet Manager
Maxim Crane
Bensalem PA
01.2016 - 01.2020
- Lead deployment and recovery of crane and equipment operations with responsibility for 105 cranes, 30 tractors, 45 drop-deck and flat trailers, and 45 personnel.
- Balance staffing and subcontract labor to ensure continuous operations; anticipated needs and deployed solutions to drive timelines.
- Provide complete project management and lean engineering to deliver final products on time and under-budget.
- Coordinate with suppliers, vendors, labor, and owners to solve problems, anticipate needs and provide exceptional experiences.
- Manage payroll, benefits, and employee relationships for both union and non-union employees; responded to employee concerns and designed proactive solutions to solve problems.
- Identify, recruit, and capture high-visibility and high-value clients and projects; leverage successes to build positive brand recognition and drive annual revenue increases.
- Design and deployment innovative staff training programs to onboard new staff and provide consistent, up-to-date, relevant continuing training.
- Establish positive, diverse work environments with excellent work/life balance; ensure continuity of operations and overall job satisfaction.
- Diagnose and repair escalated mechanical issues; collaborate with employee teams to identify source and implement corrections; coach on best practices.
- Approve cap x expenses for multiple locations
- Oversaw fleet operations, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
- Managed vehicle maintenance schedules, optimizing uptime and reducing repair costs.
Fleet Manager
Durham School Services
Philadelphia PA
01.2012 - 01.2016
- Provided leadership and oversight to management of fleet of more than 400 school buses and associated support equipment and staff. Directed day-to-day operation of fleet operations and employees; led teams of union and non-union employees. Designed cost-saving measures to reduce expenses and improve operating budgets. Provided real-time financial forecasting to senior management.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, technicians, and suppliers; ensured supply redundancy to maintain continuous operations.
- Evaluated project lifecycle to identify areas of improvement; deployed lean and value engineering methodologies to reduce time and cost and provide high-quality results.
- Coordinated payroll delivery for employees; maintained accurate records and tracked employee performance.
- Motivated employee teams to achieve objectives on time and under budget; interfaced with union leadership to build a positive employee environment.
- Deployed software solutions throughout operational change to assist in asset management and inventory control.
- Worked hands on in the shop to diagnose escalated issues to the GM and upper management.
- Reported out of service units along with repair time frame and cost on a daily, weekly basis.
- Worked with representatives from the Philadelphia School District to evaluate / resolve parent concerns.
- Monitor bus mileage through the GPS system to schedule routine maintenance
- Schedule all state inspections’ Annual inspections, DOT, and state trooper inspections.
- Oversaw fleet operations, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
- Managed vehicle maintenance schedules, optimizing uptime and reducing repair costs.
- Analyzed route performance data to improve delivery times and fuel efficiency.
Education
High School Diploma -
Abraham Lincoln HS
Philadelphia, PACertified - Automotive And Diesel Technology
Lincoln Technical Institute
Philadelphia, PASkills
- Strategic Resource Deployment
- Vehicle maintenance
- Process Development & Implementation
- Human Capital Talent Placement
- Technical Project Management
- Lean Strategies
- Complete Project Lifecycle Management
- Contract Negotiation
- Profit & Loss Financial Management
- Budget Administration & Management
- Change Management
- Team Building & Leadership
- Human Capital Development
- Effective Time Management
- Technical Standards & Codes
- Dynamic Communication
- Relationship Development
- Vendor Management
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Budgeting and forecast
- Detroit Diesel Series 60 EGR and non-EGR Certification
- CAT Medium and Heavy-Duty Certification
- CAT ET and warranty certified
- Freightliner used truck certified
- Volvo experience
- Freightliner C2, Bluebird and International school bus experience
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Blueprints and Schematics
- Project Management
- Ford Electrical Systems Certification
- CAT Engine Certification
- Cummins Engine Certification
- Freightliner warranty certified used truck warranty certified
- Eaton / Fuller certified
- International experience
- ADP, Oracle experience
- Manufacturer and aftermarket diagnostic software experience
- Microsoft Outlook
- Technical Drawings
- Estimates
- DD13 & DD15 Certification
- Freightliner Electronics & Brake Chassis
- Rapid Service Web Certification
- Cummins warranty certified
- PACCAR
- GPS / Drive cam certified - school district
- Samsara
- RTA Software
- Union Contract Negotiations
- Asset management
- Vehicle inspections
- Transportation regulations
- Warranty management
- GPS navigation
- Training and education
- Employee management
- Preventive Maintenance
- Fleet management
- Regulatory compliance
- Vehicle inspection
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 80 staff members.
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Regional Fleet Manager
EVO Transportation
01.2024 - Current
Fleet Manager
Pepsi
01.2020 - 01.2024
Fleet Manager
Maxim Crane
01.2016 - 01.2020
Fleet Manager
Durham School Services
01.2012 - 01.2016
High School Diploma -
Abraham Lincoln HS
Certified - Automotive And Diesel Technology
Lincoln Technical Institute