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Meet the Hidden Heroes of City Hall

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First in a series. 

Re: “Awards Galore for Culver City as ‘Elite Fleet’ Winner” 

Fact: Culver City consistently has been ranked among the top 12 fleets in North America since 2006.

The last time the city’s Transportation Dept. gained more than a hiccup of attention was 100 days ago when Ken Ruben, Culver City’s most recognizable bus rider, died. Except for the random occasions when Mr. Ruben’s observations about hometown transportation reached print, the impressive consistently national award-winning Fleet Services Division of the Transportation Dept., has lived in the witness protection program. Invisible despite nine consecutive years of unprecedented national recognition for the lofty level of forward thinking and imagination associated with transportation hubs, not a small though historic community in West Los Angeles.

By 11 specific standards, Culver City recently was selected as one of four nationwide Elite Fleets, as noted in last Friday’s edition.

The key but heavily understated leader in this remarkable drama is Paul Condran, Fleet Services Manager, who has been with the Transportation Dept., since the mid-1980s.

Questions: How do you and how does your team do it – every year?

No preface. His opening words were, “I have great staff” – supervisors Scott Newton, Andy Eckert, Brian Haskins, Dean Familton and the most recent addition, Management Analyst Allison Cohen.

Is there a formula you use every year?

“For me, it’s about Best Management practices,” said Mr. Condran, whose 57th birthday coincided with Father’s Day. “Honestly, we are all about continuous improvement.”

Not the imaginatioin, ambition, modesty, admirable aggressiveness in Mr. Condran’s responses.

“It doesn’t do us any good,” he says, “to achieve milestones if you are going to put yourself at the cruise control.

“That, frankly, is where a lot of fleets, and companies, get themselves into trouble. They fall behind. They don’t stay current in trends,” Mr. Condran said.

“Our philosophy is ‘Don’t sit on our laurels, but rather continue to look at ways where we can make a positive difference in the community.’”

(To be continued)

1 COMMENT

  1. Paul and his staff have made a difference in your community for many years. As previously stated, they never rest on thier laurels, always in the pursuit of excellence.
    The city of Columbus OH learned the CNG business from our dear friends in Culver City, they opened thier doors, hearts and lives to the successes of CNG. Thier valuable knowledge imparted to our staff shortened the learning curve for our city by decades-Thank you!
    Our city is now the leader in the industry, most certainly in the Midwest for CNG as we move toward reaching our 1 million gallon Challange! By 2020 the city of Columbus will have reduced petroleum consumption by over 1.2 million gallons per year (using CNG instead) thanks to our sister city Culvery City on the west coast!
    By the way, we expect to save about $2 million per year in fuel costs also.
    Paul, Fleet Staff, keep up the great work by helping others realize thier dreams!
    We in the industry now have an endearing term for our friend Paul Condran, King of Gas (KOG) because he truly is!
    Keep up the great leadership Paul!

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