BELLEVUE, WA – Windell Mitchell, retired director of fleet administration for King County, Wash., Department of Transportation, passed away Oct. 23, 2012. He was 71.

Mitchell was named 2008 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year by Government Fleet magazine. Mitchell joined King County in 1973 after driving a friend to the County offices to drop off a job application. His first job with the County was as a budget analyst and ultimately become its long-time fleet manager. Mitchell worked for the County for 35 years before retiring in 2008.

In 2012, the 100 Best Fleets program established an annual award in his name, known as The Windell Mitchell Award for Innovation and Creativity in the Industry. 

Mitchell was born in Jamaica. As a teenager, he emigrated to the U.S. to study architecture and settled in the Seattle area with an older brother. Mitchell went on to graduate college and earn an MBA from the University of Washington prior to joining King County.

By Mike Antich