15th Annual NationaLease Tech Challenge

The 15th Annual NationaLease Tech Challenge will take place at Hogan Truck Leasing. Technicians will compete to determine the best of the best, showcasing their exceptional skills and dedication to the craft of truck maintenance.

Registration

Celebrating Our Sea Stars:
Dinner for Top Techs and Judges

Join us for an exclusive dinner in honor of the Top Techs and Judges from the 15th Annual NationaLease Tech Challenge at the 2025 NationaLease Maintenance Managers Meeting! This special event acknowledges top-tier talent in fleet maintenance, offering a unique opportunity for the distinguished participants to connect and celebrate excellence in the industry. 

Make a Splash:
First-Timer Reception (Invitation Only) 

An intimate gathering for new attendees, the First-Timer Reception offers a unique opportunity to network with our Premier Partners and Select Partners. Set in a casual atmosphere and surrounded by fellow first-timers, this reception is the perfect setting to forge connections and kick off your NationaLease experience on a high note. 

Registration

Breakfast

An Ocean of Possibilities:
Welcome and Introductions

Join us for a warm introduction to the event, where Tom Mash will set the tone for a productive and engaging experience. This session offers a unique opportunity to connect with fellow attendees and kick off the event with insights and expertise from a distinguished industry leader. 

Tom Mash, Brown NationaLease

President’s Welcome

Attend the President's Welcome featuring Dean Vicha, President of NationaLease! In this exclusive session, Dean will delve into current and future plans and goals for NationaLease, providing valuable insights into how technology and regulations may impact our maintenance teams. Don't miss this opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge from a visionary leader in the industry and understand the strategic direction that will shape the future of maintenance.

Dean Vicha, President, NationaLease 

Introduction of Top Techs 

Witness the Introduction of Top Techs by Dean Vicha, President of NationaLease, showcasing the best of the best who keep our trucks moving every day! Be part of the celebration as we extend our cheers and congratulations to these exceptional Top Techs. Don't miss this opportunity to applaud and honor the individuals who excel in keeping our fleet at its peak performance.

Dean Vicha, President, NationaLease

Hook a Great Employee: Recruiting and Retention

There are many layers when it comes to recruitment, and recruitment and retention go hand in hand with each other. The layers can be unveiled in 3 categories.

Clear: Clear job descriptions, clear conversations with internal managers and leadership regarding expectations, clear timeframes of retention outreach conversations/plans and most importantly, clear conversations with candidates.

Compelling: Tell your story and let’s talk about culture. A compelling culture can tip the scales when separating ourselves from the competition. Culture can be defined in many ways and we can discuss ways to outline a compelling story!

Collaborative: This “thing” called recruitment cannot be done alone. It takes a village, and collaborating with managers in the field, recruitment team members, human resources, marketing and safety are key to achieving successful recruitment goals. Another big piece to collaboration is the “hidden C” creative.

Susan Baer, Vice President of Talent Management, Aim NationaLease

Carli Kuntze, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Aim NationaLease

Spouse Event - TBD

Break

Shark Tank:
Idea Session

Engage in creativity and innovation at the Idea Session with Lonnie Cook, Service Manager at Cargo Transporters Inc.! In this dynamic session, members will showcase their ingenious ideas and best practices that contribute to savings in money, time, productivity, improved morale, and/or increased customer satisfaction within their businesses. As an added twist, each member contributes $10 to the pool, and the top three ideas, determined by member votes, will receive cash awards. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to share, learn, and even compete for cash prizes in a session curated for fun and friendly competition. 

Lonnie Cook, Service Manager, Cargo Transporters Inc. 

Smooth Sailing: Lubricants and Coolants

Join us for updates regarding lubricants and coolants. Cornelius Jones from Shell will discuss the latest oil technologies, how to select the correct product, and recommended filter and drain intervals, as well as best practices and results of an oil analysis program. He will also review coolant technology including inhibitors, coolant life, filters, and mixing concerns, along with various grease technologies.

Cornelius Jones, Sector Technical Expert, Shell Lubricant Solutions

Lunch

Maintain a Tight Ship:
Reciprocal Service Review/Member Services Update

Delve into the heart of NationaLease with the Reciprocal Service Review/Member Services Update presented by Jane Clark, Senior Vice President of Operations! Join us for a comprehensive refresher on the cornerstone of NationaLease – Reciprocal Service, the very idea that initiated NationaLease 81 years ago. Jane will guide us through the essential requirements for all members, shed light on common pitfalls, and provide insights on how to avoid them. This session is a valuable opportunity to reinforce our commitment to Reciprocal Service and ensure a seamless experience within the NationaLease network.

Jane Clark, Senior Vice President of Operations, NationaLease

A Whale of a Savings:
Supply Management – Closed Session

Gain exclusive insights into the latest in supply management during the Supply Management – Closed Session with Rob Garcia, Senior Vice President of Supply Management at NationaLease! Join us for an in-depth review of the performance levels year-to-date on our products and services, along with updates on the newest programs available to the membership. Rob will also delve into the ever-evolving sourcing environment trends, offering valuable perspectives on industry dynamics. This closed session provides a unique opportunity to stay abreast of cutting-edge developments in supply management.

Rob Garcia, Senior Vice President of Supply Management, NationaLease

Treasure Hunt:
Product & Technology Fair

Immerse yourself in the expanding world of innovation at the Product & Technology Fair! This highly anticipated fair, growing each year, is your chance to explore the latest offerings from our Premier Partners, Select Partners, and exhibitors. Make the most of this opportunity to visit booths, discover cutting-edge products and services, and participate in exciting drawings for great prizes. Don't miss out on the chance to engage with industry leaders, explore advancements, and potentially walk away with fantastic rewards. 

Anchors Aweigh:
Dinner and Entertainment

Step into the exquisite tropical beauty of Discovery Cove for an evening of dinner and entertainment you won’t forget. Prepare to be dazzled by traditional Polynesian music and dancing while you dine on some of the finest foods this rich culture has to offer. Engage and connect with fellow members, the NationaLease team, and our valued partners as you take in the sights and sounds of the tropics.

Breakfast

Deep Dive into Discussion:
Regional Breakouts – Closed Session

Tailored exclusively for Maintenance Managers, this session provides a platform for connecting with counterparts in your region. Dive into discussions addressing issues specific to your area, explore strategies for enhancing our best-in-class Reciprocal Service network, and share insights on the current challenges at the forefront of your concerns. This closed session is designed to foster regional camaraderie and facilitate meaningful conversations that contribute to the collective success of our maintenance teams. 

Break

Cruising Through Challenges: 
Driver Adoption of ADAS

Learn about the latest Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) technologies in this engaging session. The capabilities of these emerging technologies are quite impressive and driving safety to new heights, however, these breakthroughs do come with the need for service training. Hear about some of the do’s and don’ts from Bill Pippine and Adam Mesker. 

Bill Pippine, National Fleet Account Manager, Bendix

Adam Mesker, Regional Technical Sales Manager, Daimler Truck North America

Charting the Course:
Alternative Fuel Update

With the many technologies becoming available to navigate to a zero carbon future, Mark will talk about the solutions available to meet customers’ needs while reducing total carbon emissions.

Mark Jamieson, Director of Business Development - Alternate Power Products, Cummins Inc.

Lunch

Don’t Get Beached by a Cyber Breach:
Navigating Cyber Threats: Lessons from Major Security Breaches

By the end of this session, you will possess practical knowledge and actionable insights to enhance your cybersecurity practices both personally and professionally. Be prepared to engage in an interactive story, examining a well-known cyber security incident and learning from it. Explore best practices and discover IT tools that can boost productivity while ensuring compliance and security. Join us to fortify your defenses, protect your valuable data, and embrace a secure digital future in transportation and logistics.

Immerse yourself in an engaging story as we explore one of the largest and most notable cyber security incidents to date. Gain insights into the unraveling of this incident, understanding the factors that led to the compromise and breach of a major business. Discover how the elements involved in this incident interplayed and consider its implications for your own business environment. Take away practical advice and valuable tips.

Russ Abdrakhmanov, Founding Leader, neKey

Get in Ship-Shape Condition:
Member Best Practice Panel

One of NationaLease's greatest strengths is the power of shared expertise. Rather than a one-size-fits-all management style, we have the advantage of each member testing products & services and sharing those experiences with the rest. Join us as we explore some best practices that members have developed through trial and error.

Joe Puff, Vice President of Truck Technology and Maintenance, NationaLease, Facilitator

Panelists: Brian Peters, Salem NationaLease , John Norwood, Aim NationaLease, Steve Shacklock, Aim NationaLease

Break

Save Your (Sand)Dollars:
Warranty Panel

The warranty panel will discuss the importance of your warranty program in decreasing maintenance and operating costs by creating a strong warranty team within your organization. Topics to be covered include the use and difference between an in-house and an outside warranty; the relationships between product suppliers and reps to maximize policy help; and whether it makes sense to purchase an extended warranty on certain products.

The panel will also review real-world examples from Airoldi Brothers NationaLease, Hogan Truck Leasing, Inc., a NationaLease Member, and Brown NationaLease of how they run their programs, and will take ideas and suggestions for how to build and strengthen warranty programs.

Facilitator: Tom Mash, Brown NationaLease

Panel: AJ Stachowiak, Airoldi Brothers NationaLease; Rick Davis, Hogan Truck Leasing, Inc., a NationaLease Member

Rowing in the Right Direction:
In-House Tech Training Program

The In-House Tech Training Program is all about training technicians for the latest generation of vehicle technology. Evolving vehicle tech can be quite complex and affect all aspects of commercial vehicles, specifically engine enhancements, fuel efficiency, emissions, safety systems, and driver comfort, meaning the need for technician training is at an all-time high. In this panel, NationaLease members will share their experience developing an in-house training program to tackle this challenge.

Facilitator: Joe Puff, Vice President of Truck Technology and Maintenance, NationaLease

Panel: Eric Silz, Truckway NationaLease; Brad Chubb, Brown NationaLease; Rick 
Davis, Hogan Truck Leasing, Inc., a NationaLease Member; Rob Powell, Miller NationaLease

“Seas” the Night:
Cocktail Reception & Awards Dinner

Celebrate excellence at the Cocktail Reception & Awards Dinner! This event is a tribute to our Exceptional Service Award winners and the announcement of the NationaLease Tech Challenge winners. Join us in expressing gratitude to those who have demonstrated exceptional service and applaud the achievements of the outstanding individuals in the NationaLease community. Indulge in great food, raise a toast to success, and take this opportunity to extend your heartfelt congratulations to your fellow NationaLease winners.