FORT LAUDERDALE – (February 4, 2025) – Fleet Advantage, a leading innovator in specialty financing, fleet data analytics, fleet management services, and life cycle cost management, proudly announced today two esteemed honors from Food Logistics’ 2025 Rock Stars of the Supply Chain Awards. Fleet Procurement Manager Kirsten Babb, CTP, was named the Overall Winner in the Rising Stars category, while Vice President of Strategic Fleet Solutions Annie Steckroth, CTP, was recognized in the Top Transportation Professional category.
As the only publication exclusively dedicated to covering the movement of products through the global cold food supply chain, Food Logistics’ 2025 Rock Stars of the Supply Chain Awards recognizes influential individuals across four distinct categories whose achievements, hard work and vision have shaped the global cold food supply chain.
Babb’s journey from her early hands-on roles in trailer maintenance to her position as Fleet Procurement Manager highlights her dedication to operational excellence and strategic foresight. Recognized last year by Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive as a recipient of 2024 Women in Supply Chain Award, her leadership in procurement includes managing the acquisition of Class 8 tractors and trailers, where she ensures alignment with customer needs and builds strong relationships with OEMs and dealers. Over the past year, Babb has driven key initiatives for Fleet Advantage such as the redesign of the company’s casualty buyout process, which reduced vehicle delivery times by 30%, directly benefiting clients by minimizing downtime and costs. She also revamped spec review templates, achieving a 2% increase in fleet fuel efficiency—a significant improvement for large-scale fleets.
Her comprehensive expertise in sustainability, safety compliance, and customer satisfaction has established her as an indispensable asset to Fleet Advantage and its clients. Her focus on fostering trust and loyalty among customers positions Fleet Advantage as an industry leader in innovative fleet management solutions.
Steckroth, with over 18 years of experience in transportation, has made a profound impact on Fleet Advantage’s strategic initiatives and its clients’ operational success since joining the company in April 2024. As Vice President of Strategic Fleet Solutions, she leads high-level consultations with corporate fleet clients, identifying cost-saving opportunities and implementing life cycle cost management strategies. Steckroth has been instrumental in expanding Fleet Advantage’s client portfolio, integrating data-driven solutions that enhance fleet performance, reduce costs, and meet sustainability goals.
Additionally, Steckroth’s active involvement with industry groups, including her role on the National Private Truck Council’s (NPTC) Annual Conference Planning Committee, underscores her thought leadership in the transportation sector. Steckroth’s ability to navigate complex challenges, build consultative partnerships, and champion diversity in the industry sets her apart as a top professional. Her contributions include enhancing Fleet Advantage’s value proposition through tailored client solutions, which have resulted in increased client satisfaction and a strengthened competitive edge for the company.
“Kirsten and Annie epitomize the innovation, dedication, and leadership that are central to Fleet Advantage’s mission,” said Katerina Jones, Chief Marketing Officer of Fleet Advantage. “Their outstanding achievements not only elevate our organization but also drive progress across the cold food supply chain and transportation sectors. We are immensely proud to celebrate their well-deserved recognition as leaders in their field.”
Babb and Steckroth will both be profiled in Food Logistics’ Jan/Feb 2025 print issue. For more information on this award and to view the other recipients, please click here.
About Fleet Advantage
Fleet Advantage is the largest independent lessor for heavy-duty Class-8 trucks and has over $3 Billion in assets and over 30,000 units under its Life Cycle Cost Management program. This comprises a client portfolio of more than 50 of America’s top corporate fleets, including five (5) of the top 10 private fleets in the country. Fleet Advantage guarantees the absolute lowest cost of operation by providing fleet asset management, financing solutions, and fleet analytics, using the latest equipment technology to achieve optimum vehicle productivity and maximum safety. Our model of TCO, clean diesel, and safety-enhanced trucks with shorter life cycles complement our customers’ ESG goals. The accomplishments of Fleet Advantage and our leadership team continue to be recognized for tremendous growth and industry leadership with numerous awards, including Top Private Independent and Most Innovative Firm by the Monitor Daily, Top Software & Tech Awards, Top Women Associates in Finance, and Green Supply Chain Awards to name a few. The company has also been named to Inc. magazine’s 500|5000 list of fastest growing companies in the nation.
###