9th Annual NationaLease Tech Challenge

I’ll Be Seeing You: Registration

Dinner – Top Techs & Judges

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

You Are My Sunshine: Registration

Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree: Breakfast

Sentimental Journey: Welcome and Introductions
Chris Disantis, Director of Purchasing and Training, Aim NationaLease

Come Fly with Me: 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

Shout!: Introduction of Top Techs
Step 2 of the Top Tech Challenge will have concluded. Join us as we give a cheer and congratulations to our Top Techs. Step 3: TMC!
Dean Vicha, President, NationaLease

In the Still of the Night: 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

Rock Around the Clock: Break

I Can’t Get No Satisfaction: 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.

Sweet Caroline: Spouse Event
Join us for a 1940s style tea time! Come dressed in vintage 1940s attire, or in any decade you choose to celebrate the 75 years since NationaLease was founded right here in Chicago.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T: 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, Senior Vice President of Supply Management, NationaLease

How Sweet It is: Lunch

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

Night Fever: Cubs Game and Dinner
Beer, hot dogs, and baseball. Enjoy a rooftop view of the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Bountiful buffet catering and beverage service will be provided.

Stayin’ Alive: Breakfast

Bridge Over Troubled Waters: 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.

Another One Bites the Dust: Break

Never Gonna Give You Up: FutureTech Success
The FutureTech Success® initiative is an industry-wide collaboration to inspire middle and high school students to explore technician careers in the transportation industry. FutureTech Success is the cornerstone initiative of TechForce Foundation, a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to champion students to and through their education and into careers as profession technicians. FutureTech Success harnesses the collective resources of the transportation industry to develop tomorrow's workforce of qualified technicians by 1) increasing awareness & enthusiasm for the profession; 2) providing resources to help access quality education for those with financial need; and 3) connecting trained techs and industry through mentorship and career opportunities.
Greg Settle, Director of National Alliances, TechForce Foundation

Danger Zone: Wiring/Corrosion
Connectors, bad sensors, reams of fault codes, lighting problems and emissions systems problems--many of our daily headaches are caused by very basic wiring problems. Join Larry Rambeaux as he shares best practices to help you avoid some of these headaches.
Larry Rambeaux, Sales Manager, Purkey’s

Hungry Like the Wolf: Lunch

This is How We Do It: Technician Recruitment and Training
The diesel mechanic shortage will get much worse. Here’s how we solve it. By 2025, there will be 400,000 mechanic openings in the US. This means more open positions than working mechanics. A 2017 Association of Equipment Dealers study estimated that dealers lose $2.4B of revenue a year due to technician shortages. Whether it is a shop, a dealer, or a leasing company, one open mechanic position for 45 days costs that company a minimum of $62,000 in revenue. Industry needs more than 30,000 new mechanics per year to enter the profession but US schools are producing roughly 5,000. Baby boomers are retiring in record numbers. Industry continues to grow, needing more technicians every year. This problem can be quickly corrected; however, we must look at the solution through a new lens. Tim Spurlock will provide an in-depth overview of the technician shortage, including its underlying causes. Most importantly, Tim will offer real and effective solutions, supported by real life cases and data.
Tim Spurlock, Co-Founder and President, American Diesel Training Centers

I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing: OE Breakouts
Members will have the choice to attend an OE session which will cover some of the latest technologies and specs, current vehicle issues and the proper corrective measures, review warranty purchase options, and provide an overview of web-based training courses. OEs include:
Cummins – John Campbell
Volvo – Carol Whitley
Hino – Steve Chiodo

Can’t Touch This: Break

I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing: OE Breakouts
Members will have the choice to attend an OE session which will cover some of the latest technologies and specs, current vehicle issues and the proper corrective measures, review warranty purchase options, and provide an overview of web-based training courses. OEs include:
Freightliner – Terry Kerbe and Adam Mesker
Kenworth – Drew Bennett
Cummins – John Campbell

Can’t Touch This: Break

I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing: OE Breakouts
Members will have the choice to attend an OE session which will cover some of the latest technologies and specs, current vehicle issues and the proper corrective measures, review warranty purchase options, and provide an overview of web-based training courses. OEs include:
Freightliner – Terry Kerbe and Adam Mesker
Volvo – Carol Whitley
Hino – Steve Chiodo

Let’s Get it Started: Cocktail Reception

Tonight’s Gonna be a Good Night: 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.

One More Time: Breakfast

Get Low: Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry: What They Mean to You
Dan Murray will discuss the most pressing issues in the trucking industry, including autonomous trucks, labor shortages, safety systems, rising costs, and new government regulations. This session will provide a glimpse into the future of the trucking industry, and how maintenance staff can better prepare for what's coming (or going).
Dan Murray, Vice President, Research, American Transportation Research Institute

Call Me Maybe: Technician Training Opportunities
Many of our suppliers and partners offer extensive technician training, available to all of our members. Joe Puff will provide a detailed overview of the opportunities members and how to take advantage of them.
Joe Puff, Vice President of Truck Technology and Maintenance, NationaLease

Glad You Came: 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

Work: Member Telematics Panel
What should you do with all the data your trucks are collecting? Hear from NationaLease members on how they are utilizing these programs to make decisions, create efficiencies, and maximize preventative maintenance programs.
Facilitator:
Joe Puff, Vice President of Truck Technology and Maintenance, NationaLease
Panelists:
Aaron Chamberlain, Aim NationaLease
Jim Dressler, Success NationaLease
Greg Roberts, Hogan Truck Leasing, Inc., a NationaLease Member