The weather in Chicago has been delightful this month. Most days have been 75 degrees and sunny, with the occasional summer storm that passes through and leaves the grass greener and the flowers blooming brighter. I am always reluctant to leave home at this time of year, because in the Midwest, we treasure the few days each year that aren’t oppressively hot or cruelly cold. However, I had a couple of trips on the calendar in June, so I headed both to the sun-drenched Gulf Coast of Florida and the majestic, historic ridges of Virginia.
My first destination was the Tampa and Clearwater area. I kicked off the trip with a visit to the team at Big Truck Rental. Hearing about their growth and plans for the future, it is easy to see why they are such a powerhouse in the vocational rental space. We had some great discussions regarding how our purchasing programs and national account support can continue to give them a competitive edge as supply chains evolve.
As any veteran traveler knows, you can’t visit Clearwater without experiencing a little local flavor. For lunch, I headed over to Frenchy’s Beach Cafe, a legendary spot right near all the action on Clearwater Beach. I was joined by Scott Knightly and Bryce Jones from Southport Truck Group, and we sat out where we could feel the Gulf breeze. All three of us ordered the famous grouper sandwich, which absolutely lived up to the hype. Over lunch, our conversation drifted from the current challenges and opportunities in the capital equipment market to the invaluable partnerships we have. It was a great reminder that while technology continues to become a bigger and bigger part of our day-to-day work, it’s the relationships—built over good food and shared stories—that keep our trucks rolling.
My next trip took me to Roanoke, Virginia, where I dropped in to visit our friends at Excel Truck Group. Spending time face-to-face with the people I communicate with on the phone and email is always the highlight of these trips. We spent the afternoon discussing the programs and services available to our members—ensuring their team stays equipped with the best-in-class resources NationaLease offers.
To cap off an incredible trip, I stayed just across the state line at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, WV. Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains, this historic resort has been welcoming guests since 1778. Walking through the iconic, Dorothy Draper-designed halls, I couldn’t help but reflect on our own industry’s legacy. Much like that historic property, the trucking world relies on a foundation built over decades, adapted beautifully for the modern era.
As I headed to the airport for the flight back home to Chicago, I was struck once again by the sheer dedication of our members. Whether it’s managing heavy-duty vocational rentals in Florida or keeping regional freight moving through the mountains of Virginia, our network’s spirit of reciprocity is what makes this journey so incredibly worth it.
Until next time, the journey continues!
