Registration

Welcoming Remarks
Jane Clark, Vice President of Member Services, NationaLease

President’s Address
Dean Vicha, President, NationaLease

Globally Trusted, Locally Embraced: Why Small Business Drives
Big Business
Ace Hardware’s reason for success, explained by its President and CEO, John Venhuizen, is its store owners: entrepreneurs with a deep knowledge of their local market, inventory fine-tuned to a neighborhood’s demographic and the sort of exacting customer service a typical big-box store with low pay and high employee turnover just can’t match. Hear how John leads the largest retail cooperative outside the grocery sector and how you can implement his best practices into your businesses.
John Venhuizen, President and CEO, Ace Hardware

Spouse Event: Wine & Painting Party

Break

The Parties Versus the People: How to Turn Republicans and Democrats into Americans
Mickey Edwards, former Republican Congressman, will review his new book that discusses how Americans’ recently-acquired inability to compromise has weakened the federal government. Hear his take on the government and how he attributes the lack of compromise in part to “myside bias.”

Mission: Blacklist #1 – Finding Saddam
In July of 2003, while assigned to a Delta Force team in Tikrit, Staff Sergeant Eric Maddox worked as an interrogator to gather intelligence to track down individuals on the infamous “Deck of Cards”. During his presentation, Eric discusses his five-month deployment to Iraq in which he was a rookie interrogator assigned to the most elite task force in the world. His courageous story of perseverance, teamwork, and thinking outside the box helps mold the business culture of any organization. Eric explains the importance of listening and breaks down the essential elements of information elicitation.
Eric Maddox, Intelligence Officer/Interrogator

Trade and Technology Show and Reception

Breakfast

Nominating Committee
Steve Lawrence, CEO, Lawrence NationaLease

Entrepreneurial Excellence
Art Freedman, speaker/trainer at Ace Hardware’s Center for Excellence, knows how to empower employees. He has educated, inspired, and mobilized thousands of people on how to make more money in their business. At this year’s meeting, Art will show our members how to do the same.
Art Freedman, Ace Hardware Center for Excellence

What’s Happening on “the Hill” – TRALA Update
Mr. Jake Jacoby will join us to inform the members about what TRALA is doing to protect our industry and what pending issues to watch. He will also provide updates regarding TRALA’s efforts to remain strong and be a viable voice on “the Hill,” including an overview of current political climate.
Jake Jacoby, President & CEO, TRALA

Break

Winning in Washington
Bruce Mehlman will share with our members the recent trends in politics and policy. He will review of the current political landscape and what to expect in the coming months, as well as in 2016 and why he believes we will see a bona fide movement for reform.
Bruce Mehlman, Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen Bingel & Thomas

The End of Prosperity
These are the most turbulent economic times in more than a generation. Stephen Moore will provide NationaLease members with an inside look at how the economic policy and political decisions in Washington impact the financial outlook for investors.
Steve Moore, Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Project for Economic Growth, The Heritage Foundation

Lunch

Vision for the Future: a NationaLease Forum
We want your ideas for taking NationaLease into the future. NationaLease staff will update you about current initiatives in their respective areas and will ask for your feedback. Bring your ideas, suggestions, and recommendations to this interactive forum.

Member Services Update, Ballroom I
Jane Clark, Vice President of Member Services

National Account Update, Roosevelt Room
Joe Gallick, Senior Vice President of Sales

Supply Management Update, Ballroom II
Rob Garcia, VP New Business Development, Supply Management
Jim Sweeney, Vice President of Capital Equipment

Maintenance Update, Culpeper Room
Joe Puff, Vice President of Truck Technology & Maintenance

Closing Awards Dinner and Reception

Capitol Hill Visit
You don’t have to feel like you don’t have a voice in Congress. You will when you join us and participate directly in meetings with members of Congress and their staffs. Those who speak up are those who are heard in our representative government. Members of Congress are typically unfamiliar with the unique nature of our business and may not be aware of how legislative changes impact our industry. By attending a hill event, we can best educate them to hopefully keep us and our needs in mind when drafting legislation.