By Shaun Scott, Puyallup Tribal News
Robert Daniels is known throughout the Tribe as the man with all the keys.
Daniels epitomizes what it means to be a one-man band in his fleet director role. He manages everything encompassing Tribal vehicles and large equipment like lawn mowers and backhoes.
Daniels, a Tribal Member, has worked as the Fleet Department Director for the last six years.
He also is responsible for billing which, Daniels said, is the most challenging aspect of his role and that he’s consistently immersed in excel spreadsheets.
“Sometimes, I have been off a couple of dollars and had to go through it two or three times to get it right,” Daniels said.
Employees who need a company vehicle can make a request to Daniels in person, by email or over the phone.
Daniels said he usually checks out keys to four or five people throughout a typical workday. One of the most important parts of Daniels’ job is inspecting the vehicle upon its return.
“I embrace the role and I really like it,” Daniels said. “When people bring it back, there is a check-off list I go through to make sure everything is good. I make sure there are no personal belongings or garbage left in the vehicle. I also make sure the gas is filled up and there is no damage to the outside or inside of the vehicle. I also check the air in all of the tires.”
His favorite part of his day is communicating with Tribal employees.
“I like seeing people come in and talking with them. They come in and I sign them out, assign them the keys and they bring them back when they are done,” Daniels said.
Daniels said he will occasionally pop into the Tribal Administration building on weekends if someone needs a car. If Daniels is out of town, he relies on longtime Security Manager Mike Young to check vehicles in and out to employees.
Daniels shared gratitude about being promoted to his position six years ago. He previously served as the assistant fleet director.
“It felt really good to move up into this position,” Daniels said. “I had been the assistant for three or four years before that. I’m glad they trust me. I appreciate my job and I really love it.”
