Excellence in the Shop: Celebrating the People Behind the Fleet

At Fleet, we know that the work happening behind the shop doors is what keeps our city’s essential services running smoothly. Whether it’s an ambulance responding to a call or a snowplow clearing the streets, there is a dedicated team making sure those assets are safe and reliable. This year, we are thrilled to break tradition by naming two 2025 Employees of the Year, Ken Dalton and Salma Florencio, and honoring the career of George Dahl as he prepares for retirement.

With 24 years of service to the City, Ken Dalton has proven himself to be a cornerstone of our team. Ken was a unanimous selection for Employee of the Year, a testament to the respect he has earned from his peers and leadership alike.

Ken is always looking for ways to improve our Fleet and Fire services. He takes immense pride in his work, particularly when it comes to managing Fire Department assets. Ken views himself as a steward of City resources, making sure that every decision regarding these critical vehicles is made with both the taxpayer and the first responder in mind. Beyond his technical expertise, Ken is a trusted coworker who shares his knowledge freely, setting a high bar for excellence and mentorship across the shop.

While we normally recognize one employee for this honor, we could not overlook the incredible impact Salma Florencio has made in a very short time. In just two and a half years with the City, Salma has become a key part of the foundation that keeps our team running.

Salma has stepped up to handle complex administrative tasks and confidently runs the shop office when our forepersons are away. This year alone, she managed the logistical hurdles of ordering nearly 1 million gallons of fuel for City operations and smoothed the way for our testing of various renewable diesel blends. From coordinating vehicles for City events to organizing our department potlucks and trainings, Salma handles the "big" and "small" projects with equal dedication. We truly would not be where we are today without her.

As we celebrate these achievements, we also want to recognize George Dahl, who will be retiring this January after eight years with Fleet. George’s impact on the City is staggering; in his time here, he has worked on nearly 1,200 unique assets spanning 16 different City departments, including Police, Fire, Streets, Housing, and Metro.

George has been a great resource for our team, particularly regarding his depth of Ford knowledge. Additionally, he has served as a patient and gracious mentor for high school apprentices in our shop, ensuring that his skills are passed down to the next generation of mechanics. George, thank you for your service and your commitment to our team. We wish you the very best in your well-earned retirement!