Back in the Driver’s Seat: Starting 2026 with a Bang
It’s been a little while since I’ve checked in here, but don’t let the quiet blog feed fool you—I haven’t slowed down for a second. While the “Jane Clark on the Road” updates took a hiatus, my actual travel schedule certainly didn’t. In 2025 alone, I had the privilege of visiting 25 NationaLease members, crisscrossing the country to see the incredible work you all are doing firsthand. But with a brand-new year stretching out in front of us, I figured there was no better time to pick up the pen (or the keyboard) and share where the road is taking me next.
There is a tradition in many cultures that suggests the way you spend your New Year’s Day sets the tone for the rest of your year. If you spend it resting, you’ll have a peaceful year; if you spend it working, you’ll be productive. If that superstition holds any weight, then 2026 is going to be another great year of travel for me. I officially started the year exactly where I love to be: on the road. I had some “selfish” reasons for my first destination of the year, but in this industry, the personal and the professional always seem to overlap in the best ways.
My first stop of 2026 brought me to the heart of Ohio to cheer on my alma mater, North Central College, as they competed in the NCAA Division III Football Championships. There’s nothing quite like the energy of a championship game, especially when you have a personal stake in the outcome. Before the big game, I had a chance to stop in to see the folks at Fleet One Leasing NationaLease. Doug Callahan, Greg DeAnna, and I had a great conversation about the challenges and opportunities they are facing in the New Year. We reviewed some of the NationaLease programs including our supply management programs and the Careers page on our website, where members can post jobs for free that get picked up by many other sites, including Indeed.com. Getting to see their operations in the midst of the winter hustle (yes, it was snowing while I was there) was a great reminder of the resilience of our members. Whether it’s championship football or logistics, success in Ohio comes down to one thing: toughness.
I had some extra free time on this trip, so I had a chance to explore downtown Cleveland. One of my first stops was dinner at the Club Room. It’s a beautifully designed spot—very “Old World meets modern chic”—and the perfect place to warm up after a chilly Lake Erie breeze. The next morning, I headed over to Ohio City and Tremont areas for a bit of a local tour. I started with the West Side Market. I could spend hours here. Between the historic yellow-brick architecture and the 100+ vendors, the place is iconic. I may or may not have walked out with enough pierogies and kielbasa to feed a small fleet. Right around the corner is Mitchell’s Ice Cream. Even in January, you don’t skip Mitchell’s. Their flagship is in a beautifully restored theater, and watching the ice cream being made through the glass partitions is almost as satisfying as the actual scoop (I went with the Peanut Butter Chocolate Pretzel). Not far from there, tucked away in the Tremont neighborhood, is the Christmas Story House. Seeing the iconic leg lamp in the window is a nostalgic rite of passage. To cap off the Tremont visit, I stopped in at the Literary Pub. It’s a cozy spot for a cocktail and a burger, and a local hangout. Back in downtown, a stop at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was a must. Walking through the new exhibits for the 2025 inductees—including Soundgarden and The White Stripes—was a great reminder of how much innovation and “disruption” (a word we use a lot in trucking!) it takes to really change an industry.
From Cleveland, the road led me south to Canton, where the Stagg Bowl (the NCAA Division III Football Championship) was being held at
the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Before the big game, I spent some time at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and it never fails to inspire. Walking through the rows of bronze busts in the Hall of Fame Gallery is a powerful experience. It’s the ultimate “wall of fame” for leadership, perseverance, and excellence—qualities we talk about in our own businesses every day. Seeing the collection of championship rings and the Lombardi Trophy up close really hits home when you’re about to watch a championship game yourself! While North Central fell just short in a 24-14 loss to UW-River Falls, seeing them compete in their sixth consecutive Stagg Bowl was a proud moment. The atmosphere in Canton—a town that truly treats football as a way of life—was the perfect backdrop for the start of the year.
It was a thrill to see North Central College give it their all on the field, and it’s even more of a thrill to be back sharing these journeys with you. If the “New Year’s tradition” holds true, my 2026 will be defined by great member visits, exciting sports, and plenty of miles on the odometer. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Here’s to a prosperous, busy, and mobile 2026!
Top photo: North Central College Men’s Football, credit North Central College.
