“On the road” usually implies a long highway and a distant horizon. But this week, my travels took me to a place that proves adventure—and vital business—can be found just a few miles from where you started. I spent some time in the heart of Chicago visiting Carmichael NationaLease.
A visit to Carmichael’s location puts you right in the middle of Chicago’s industrial soul, yet you’re just a stone’s throw from some of the city’s most storied neighborhoods. To the north sits the bustling West Loop, once a meatpacking district and now a global culinary destination. Just to the east is Pilsen, a neighborhood rich in mural-lined streets and incredible culture. Right across the street is the Visual and Performing Arts Center for Benito Juarez High School. It reminded me of something we all know—our industry is woven into the vibrant fabric of not only this city, but everything we do.
Griffin Becker, Member Programs Manager for NationaLease, joined me as we met with Max Bechina. We discussed our capital equipment and purchasing programs. In an era of shifting supply chains, having a solid strategy for fleet renewal and parts procurement isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s a competitive necessity. Max’s dedication to ensuring that Carmichael NationaLease customers have the most efficient, cost-effective equipment options is exactly what the NationaLease spirit is all about.
We also discussed the upcoming Spring Business Meeting and Maintenance Managers Meeting. We talked about the critical importance of these gatherings, not just for strategic planning, but for the invaluable opportunity they provide for our members to connect, share best practices, and strengthen the bonds that make our network so robust.
You can’t visit Carmichael’s location without noticing a piece of Chicago history: the iconic Carmichael’s Chicago Steak House sign. While the restaurant itself was a beloved fixture on Monroe Street for years—famous for its “prime steaks and friendly faces”—the Carmichael name is synonymous with Chicago’s West Loop legacy. The history of the steakhouse is deeply tied to the neighborhood’s roots as the “butcher shop to the world.” It was a place where people gathered over a steak and martini to strike deals and share stories. That same spirit of legacy and local pride is clearly visible today at the Carmichael NationaLease facility.
As I got back on the highway for the short (by distance, not by time in rush hour traffic!) drive home, I was struck by how much we can accomplish without leaving our own backyard. My time with Max and Griffin was a great reminder that “on the road” isn’t always about the mileage you put behind you; it’s about the strength of the partnerships you maintain right where you are. Sometimes, the greatest discoveries are those waiting just around the corner.
