Breakfast for Top Techs

Depart for Tech Challenge

8th Annual NationaLease Tech Challenge

Registration

Dinner – Top Techs & Judges

Starting Line: First-Timer Reception (Invitation Only)
First-time attendees have the opportunity to network with our Premier Partners and Select Suppliers, all within a casual atmosphere surrounded by fellow first-timers.

Registration

Breakfast

Gentlemen, Start Your Engines! Welcome and Introductions
It’s time to step on the gas as we kick off our 2018 NationaLease Maintenance Managers Meeting!
Jim Ryan, Vice President of Operations, Kris-Way Truck Leasing, Inc,. a NationaLease Member

Pedal to the Metal: President’s Welcome
Dean Vicha will discuss the current and future plans and goals for NationaLease and how technology and regulations may be impacting our maintenance teams.
Dean Vicha, President, NationaLease

Meet Your Pit Crew: Introduction of Top Techs
Step 2 of the Top Tech Challenge has concluded. Join us as we give a cheer and congratulations to our Top Techs. Step 3: TMC!
Dean Vicha, President, NationaLease

Crew Chief: Over the Wall Thinking
Pit crews operate in one of the most dynamic and demanding teamwork environments imaginable. In racing, like in business and in life, there are no guarantees. Make one mistake that's too big or at an inopportune time and your day at the race is over - you go home while the race continues on without you. Andy Papathanassiou will discuss leadership and the role of the individual. He coined the term, "Over The Wall Thinking," to describe his philosophy. Over The Wall Thinking focuses on the athletic mindset. It doesn't matter if you know anything about or participated in competitive sports such as racing. It doesn't even matter if you like sports at all. The cognitive building blocks of competitive athletics give each of us the ability to lead a more engaged, successful, and happier life.
Andy Papathanassiou, Director of Human Performance, Hendrick Motorsports

Break

Win Pole Position: Idea Session
During this time, members will be asked to present an idea or best practice utilized within their business that offers savings in money, time, productivity, improved morale, and/or increased customer satisfaction. Each member throws $10 into the kitty. Members will then vote on the best idea and cash will be awarded to the top three with the most votes. This is a great opportunity to not only share and hear innovative ideas, but also a chance to win some cash! Don’t miss this exciting session for a lot of fun and friendly competition.
Ronny Brown, Maintenance Director, Cargo Transporters, Inc.

Spouse Event

Qualifying Strong for the Race: Training Counts
With countless career pathways available to High School graduates today, how can we attract and prepare the best entry level technicians? In this session, get a glimpse in to the minds of aspiring technicians. Through their eyes and testimonials, let’s explore their motivation, expectations and challenges as they prepare to become professional technicians. In addition, understand what sets Universal Technical Institute (UTI) graduates apart and how you can partner with UTI to help attract, prepare and recruit your technician workforce of tomorrow.
Ashley Bodie, Employment Specialist, NASCAR Technical Institute & Arlyn Davis, Director of Employment Services, NASCAR Technical Institute

Staying on Track: Member Services Update
Find out what’s happening at the NationaLease home office as Jane Clark provides an update on new programs and services available through NationaLease and an introduction to new members.
Jane Clark, Vice President of Member Services, NationaLease

Lunch

Gasoline Alley: Product & Technology Fair
The popular Product & Technology Fair grows every year! Be sure to visit all of our Premier Partners, Select Suppliers, and exhibitors booths to learn about their products and services. You’ll also be able to enter in their drawings for great prizes.

Dinner & Entertainment

Breakfast

Full Speed Ahead: Regional Breakouts – Closed Session
This session is designed for you to get to know the other Maintenance Managers in your region, and discuss the issues specific to your area. You’ll discuss how to continue improving our best-in-class Reciprocal Service network, as well as the issues that are top of mind to you right now.

Pit Stop: Supply Management – Closed Session
Learn the latest on our supply management programs as Rob Garcia reviews with attendees the performance levels year-to-date on our products and services and also provides an update on some of our newest programs available to the membership. Rob will then discuss the latest in sourcing environment trends.
Rob Garcia, Vice President of New Business Development, NationaLease

Break

Gaining Traction: Member Product Panel
Want to hear how fellow members are saving money and increasing efficiencies in their operation? Join Scott Marzec as he talks with members about some of the game-changing products and services they are using to save time and money.
Moderator: Scott Marzec, Member Programs Manager, NationaLease
Panelists: James Hernandez, Service Writer, TCI Leasing/Rentals, a NationaLease Member; Carol Howard, Leasing Manager, Harrison Rental & Leasing, a NationaLease Member; Brian Roberts, Director of Maintenance, Kris-Way Truck Leasing, Inc., a NationaLease Member

Hiring Toolbox
Hiring diesel techs still ranks at the top of the list of challenges NationaLease members face. Jane Clark has put together a Hiring Toolbox to help streamline your hiring process and get from open position to new employee’s first day as quickly as possible.
Jane Clark, Vice President of Member Services, NationaLease

Lunch

What’s Happening in the Driver’s Seat?
One of the toughest maintenance challenges these days is…drivers? As the truck technology changes at an increasingly rapid rate, making sure drivers understand how to operate the equipment is an ongoing task, made even more difficult when the drivers are employed by your customer. Henry Albert joins us to share his many years of experience as a driver, and helps us to understand how we can best communicate with the drivers to ensure they are operating the equipment in the safest possible manner.
Henry Albert, Owner, Albert Transportation

Shifting Gears: Industry Forecast
Where is the US economy and transport marketplace headed? How can you best position yourself to take advantage of the trends? Donald Broughton joins us to share his insights into the trends in transportation, as well as the industries that affect it, and what to expect for business in 2018 and beyond.
Donald Broughton, Managing Partner - Principal, Broughton Capital LLC

Break

Tire Tune Up
Recent studies report that tire costs for commercial transport vehicles run 4 to 5 cents per mile. The premature replacement of tires caused by irregular and improper wear can increase tire budgets by 30%. Kevin Beckett joins us to discuss the factors affecting tire life and how to diagnose the root causes of tire failures.
Kevin Beckett, Vice President, MD Alignment

Cocktail Reception

Winners Circle: Awards Dinner
Take part in the Awards Dinner where we say thank you to our Exceptional Service and Top Tech winners, among others. Enjoy great food and take this opportunity to congratulate your fellow NationaLease winners.

Breakfast

Full Throttle: Developing Emerging Leaders
Perhaps the greatest investments any business can make is by developing its most important resource: employees. During this talk, Harvey Smith will help participants gain a greater understanding of leadership and management skills that make a tangible difference in employee engagement and future growth. Topics will be relatable to real-life situations in the workplace, including the value of modeling exceptional behavior with the purpose of developing future leaders, discerning the difference between managing tasks and leading, and understanding the power of active listening, and positive communication techniques.
Harvey Smith, CEO, Institute Success

High Octane: How I Became Vice President of Maintenance at Hogan
Ever wondered what it takes to rise to the top of your profession? Tom Boyer shares his personal story of his career and how he got to where he is today along with some of the obstacles and challenges he faced along the way.
Tom Boyer, Vice President of Maintenance, Hogan Truck Leasing, Inc., a NationaLease Member

Avoiding the Yellow Flag: Warranty Programs
Deciding on a warranty package can be confusing, with each OEM offering a variety of levels and coverages. Joe Puff will help to clarify the various OEM warranty programs, what is available from each, and what is covered.
Joe Puff, Vice President of Truck Technology and Maintenance, NationaLease