Page 22 - Mar-Apr24 Vol 41 No 7

KNOXVILLE By Allie Feinberg
Nicholas Bradshaw Named to

Knoxville 40 Under 40 List

Recently, TCAPWA’s own Nicholas Bradshaw was named to the Knoxville 40 Under
40, a yearly list honoring the city’s most impressive up-and-coming professionals
under the age of 40. Bradshaw, 39, is Director of Fleet Services for the City of
Knoxville.
NOTE: Below is the recent Knoxville News Sentinel story about him, printed with
permission from the newspaper and with special thanks to Sentinel reporter Allie
Feinberg, who wrote the original article for knoxnews.com.

Nicholas Bradshaw, 39, Director One of the greatest obstacles would
of Fleet Services, City of Knoxville be enduring the pandemic and the
subsequent supply chain disruptions.
The City of Knoxville is on the It was challenging to source and
map for its fleet services thanks to procure not just vehicles and new
director Nicholas Bradshaw, who is at equipment, but replacement parts
the forefront of making city vehicles and other necessities to keep our
more sustainable after developing the current fleet on the road and providing
city’s Green Fleet Policy in 2021. In essential services. I have also had to
May 2023, the city received a Leading simultaneously address the recruiting
Fleet award from Government Fleet crisis for skilled workers, as finding
Magazine. But his coworkers know enough qualified technicians to keep
him for more than that. He developed the city’s fleet running is a challenge.
the department’s mechanic apprentice Fortunately, the apprenticeship program Fleet Magazine and the American
program, where students can earn has helped us to weather this storm. Public Works Association. This is the
money while learning their trade with a I do not know where we would be culmination of years of hard work to
mentor. without it. adopt best practices and set an example
When you reflect on your career so far, What will you focus on in 2024? for other municipal fleets. My dream is
which achievement stands out most? I want to continue implementing our to continue this journey and ultimately
I am proud of the work we’ve done to green fleet policy, especially replacing be recognized as the best.
make the city’s fleet more sustainable, traditional internal combustion engine What mistake did you learn the most
including crafting and implementing vehicles with electric vehicles. We are from?
the city’s green fleet policy as well currently working to put an electric Of the mistakes I’ve made over the
as procuring over 70 electric and vehicle in every city department in years, the most common thread is
alternative fuel fleet assets. The accordance with the Mayor Indya insufficient communication. Whether
green fleet policy in particular helps Kincannon’s priority of a clean and that is not establishing appropriate
reframe our approach to equipment resilient future for Knoxville. I also expectations, not being transparent,
replacements, making our decision want to continue to focus on staffing, or not listening enough. I have tried
making more intentional regarding because getting the best people in to learn from these over the years so
green alternatives. Additionally, I am critical roles is the key to everything we that I can communicate better and be
also very proud of the work I have done do. more collaborative with our internal
for equity and recruiting. I launched What is your biggest professional customers, the other city departments
and administered the city’s second dream? providing Knoxville with essential
chance program several years ago and For Knoxville to be a world leader in services. Mayor Kincannon has
more recently created a successful terms of its fleet operations. We have assembled an excellent team at the city,
mechanic apprentice program in been recognized the past four years and trusting and leaning on that team
partnership with (the Tennessee College running as one of the 100 Best Fleets in has made my job much easier.
of Applied Technology). America by the National Association of What motivates you?
What is the greatest professional Fleet Administrators. In 2023, we were I am still an idealist. As corny as it
obstacle you’ve had to overcome and also recognized as one of the 50 Leading sounds, what still gets me up in the
how did you overcome it? Fleets in America by Government morning is the thought that I can do

22 TPW March/April 2024