Automotive Fleet, February 2019

MEET OF NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO AUTOMOTIVE FLEET I FEBRUARY 2019 16 CONSTANT CHANGE NEW TECHNOLOGY AND A LOVE OF LEARNING HAS KEPT FISHER MOTIVATED THROUGHOUT HER MORE THAN 17 YEARS IN THE FLEET INDUSTRY BY LAUREN FLETCHER The Women in Fleet Profile series introduces fleet managers to some of the most influential women in fleet Every month we will get to know another positive force in the fleet industry This month we spoke with Kimberly Fisher global manager fleet travel for National Oilwell Varco GETTING INTO FLEET Being a member of the fleet industry for more than 17 years starting at Cardinal Health Fisher has spent the past seven and a half years at National Oilwell Varco She currently manages the companys global fleet which consists of the U S Canada United Arab Emirates and Brazil We will continue our global expansion in 2019 and are very excited I manage the relationships with our suppliers as well as work with our internal customers to make sure we are providing the vehicles and service they need to make our business successful Fisher said And like most of us Fisher simply fell into fleet accepting a job as a fleet administrator In her own words I didnt really understand what that meant at the time but have loved the industry ever since Fisher is most proud of her ability to find solutions for fleet in both companies she has worked with This is especially true around upfitting Finding the right upfitter for a specific need working with the field and the upfitter to build a solution that will best meet the needs of our business is challenging And when you get it right so satisfying Fisher said Fleet is ever changing which is one of Fishers top motivators for success Just wait a second and some new challenge will come along that you never in a million years thought would be an issue that needed to be resolved I also love learning about the new technology for fleet Be it in the vehicles themselves or items such as telematics and how that makes us more efficient and safer its fascinating she said Fishers advice for women currently in fleet or considering it as a career is simple You need to be tenacious because it can be a tough in the beginning as a woman So many people still look at me and are amazed I am in this role and know what I am talking about Second learning is key because if you feel you have nothing left to learn it is time for you to look for a new career As I noted this is an ever changing industry and you need to always be learning and aware Finally you should build a network of peers because they will be an endless source of information and encouragement They have been where you are This industry is so generous with its knowledge embrace it she said GET TO KNOW ME Experience is only part of our story and what someone likes to read watch and listen to can help paint a fuller picture of their personality Here are some of Fishers favorites BOOK Jane Eyre I had always loved reading but it was my first classic and I developed a lifelong love of the classics as a result she said MOVIE The Lord of the Rings Trilogy I mean how can you not like elves dwarves Hobbits etc on an epic adventure Fisher said SONGS I am an 80s girl and then there is country music and southern rock it is endless she said YOU MAY NOT KNOW I needlepoint It is a great stress reliever Fisher concluded AF KIMBERLY FISHER WOMEN IN FLEET PROFILE