TRSA, NAFA Synergies Enrich San Antonio Institute & Expo Attendees
TRSA’s presence at the April 21-24 NAFA Institute & Expo (I&E) reflected the value of the associations’ partnership to serve each other’s memberships. TRSA conducted its first-ever Fleet Safety Summit at this event staged by the fleet management group, which drew 2,100 to San Antonio, TX. Members of both groups shared networking opportunities and benefited from each other’s expertise as audience members of NAFA education sessions and visitors to NAFA suppliers’ exhibits.
The associations initiated a partnership last year to facilitate TRSA members’ access to fleet-related subject-matter expertise (SME) and information. One such benefit is the opportunity for TRSA members to have NAFA evaluate their fleet operations in the annual NAFA 100 Best Fleets rating contest. The I&E session dedicated to reviewing the contest revealed these participating TRSA members’ ratings among commercial fleets evaluated in 2024:
- No. 6 – Miller’s Textile Services, Wapakoneta, OH
- No. 8 – Alsco Uniforms, Salt Lake City
- No. 12 – Superior Linen Service, Tulsa, OK
- No. 16 – Crown Linen LLC, Miami
The Fleet Safety Summit enabled TRSA to contribute to the NAFA education program, as more than 50 attendees, mostly NAFA members, attended. TRSA President & CEO Joseph Ricci opened the Summit by expressing gratitude for NAFA’s advocacy for fair, balanced regulations impacting transportation and fleet management and operations. He noted TRSA’s involvement in this quest, highlighting TRSA’s efforts to reduce the burden on the New York City business community created by the city’s new congestion pricing rule.
Referring to fleet management and workplace safety functions in linen, uniform and facility services, Ricci pointed out that TRSA is increasing the quality and amount of member discussion of these. Individuals are invited to join new TRSA networks for information sharing between members on these functions as well as others.
An hour-long panel discussion previewed more in-depth presentations on fleet safety subjects that would take place later in the Summit and covered best practices in driver recruiting/retention and truck enhancements that increase safety. Alex Greenman of ImageFIRST Healthcare Laundry Specialists shared his experience with the King of Prussia, PA-based company with these challenges. He directs fleet operations as ImageFIRST’s director of procurement and special projects.
The other panelist providing providing insight from a career as an industry operator was Don Bock, principal, Seabright Safety Solutions, Santa Maria, CA, and professional liaison to TRSA’s Safety Committee. Joining Greenman and Bock on the panel were Michael Halter, director, claims and loss control, Haylor, Freyer & Coon Inc., Syracuse, NY; and Judie Nuskey, operations director, Advanced Driver Training Services, Warminster, PA.
Bock later provided a detailed session on accident and near-miss investigation, urging every fleet operator to use a standard approach to this discipline and presenting alternatives for developing and maintaining one. Halter, in part through dashcam video captures of accidents, offered advice on managing risk and navigating insurance options. Nuskey, who spoke on muscle memory in defensive driving training, noted the importance of classifying drivers as low, medium or high risk and customizing instruction accordingly.