Automotive Fleet, October 2018

WOMEN IN FLEET PROFILE MEET With a matter of fact no nonsense personality Lee Pierce of Weatherford International is driven by data and bottom line results BY LAUREN FLETCHER T he 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 Lee Pierce global fleet manager for Weatherford International Getting into Fleet Pierce is a no nonsense leader who honed her skills in fleet for the past 18 years Her career in fleet began at Service Corporation International SCI a funeral services company I worked for SCI in the procurement department as an assistant to the director Vehicles are a hobby so it was a natural move for me Within eight months I requested to work for the fleet manager as an analyst Pierce recalled After more than a decade at SCI with advancement opportunity created by personnel changes within fleet leadership Pierce took over the helm After her tenure at SCI Pierce worked as a consultant for three years before joining oil services company Weatherford International She has held the position of global fleet manager for the past three years At Weatherford Pierce manages more than 10000 assets including light medium and heavy duty vehicles trailers and forklifts for North America She manages and is responsible for the entire lifecycle of the fleet Pierce is results oriented with bottom line impact as her biggest motivator To maximize results she challenges everything wont take no for an answer and makes logical datadriven AUTOMOTIVE FLEET I OCTOBER 2018 32 decisions In recognition of her successes Pierce has been nominated for Automotive Fleets Professional Fleet Manager of the Year Award the past three years in a row As so much of your focus as a fleet manager is internally within your organization its a surprise to be recognized by external stakeholders I have dedicated myself to learn and understand the strategic and tactical complexities of fleet management and its satisfying to develop my craft to be able to improve strategic and operating performance Further it is satisfying to be recognized for my knowledge expertise and the results that my team has achieved as a woman in a profession statistically dominated by men judged on my ability and performance not on my gender Pierce added To that extent Pierce has experienced challenges as a woman in male dominated industries from fleet to the funeral industry and now oilfield services Another success occurred when she challenged an OEM on hearse pricing One of my best strengths is not taking no for an answer We had such a large fleet that discounts and pricing didnt reflect our high order volume I challenged the OEM to change how the economics were determined and I saved SCI millions Pierce said The top piece of advice Pierce has for others in the industry is to develop a thick skin disarm with humor and sarcasm and know your data 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 Pierces favorites BOOK The Green Mile because of its historical context rich characters and supernatural theme I love that I find the story both sad and uplifting at the same time she said MOVIE Too many to say I especially enjoy Animal House Bridesmaids and Man on Fire Pierce said SONGS I love anything by Prince she said I was exposed to his music at a very impressionable time in my youth Hes also the best live performance musician I had ever seen I was saddened when he died so young YOU MAY NOT KNOW I enjoy visiting old cemeteries Like comparing churches to cathedrals old cemeteries have more character You could say artistry in burials is a dying thing Walking among statuary of angels and mature trees is a strangely peaceful and beautiful experience Pierce concluded adding that this was a happy coincidence to her time at SCI AF LEE PIERCE OF WEATHERFORD