The morning air in Downers Grove still had that crisp, late-March bite as Griffin Becker, Member Programs Manager for NationaLease, and I settled into his car, but the energy was anything but cold. It’s that time of year when the brackets are set, the “bubble” has burst for some, and the rest of us are strapped in for the ride. In this industry, we know a thing or two about endurance and making it through the “rounds,” so hitting the road for Dubuque felt like the perfect tip-off to a busy week.
The drive out west on Highway 20 is one of those stretches that gives you time to think. As I watched the suburban landscape give way to the rolling hills of the Tri-State area, I couldn’t help but draw parallels between a winning basketball roster and a well-managed fleet. You need your veterans for reliability, your high performers for the heavy lifting, and a strategy that accounts for every unexpected turnover the road might throw at you.
Our first “timeout” was in Dubuque at Charlotte’s Coffee House. If you haven’t been, it’s the kind of local spot that centers you before the madness begins. With a hot latte in hand and a view of the historic architecture, I took a moment to review my notes. In our world, preparation is the difference between a Cinderella story and an early exit.
Then, it was over to see the team at the McCoy Group. We met with Scott Loeffelholz, Eric Wolfe, and Cody Klein and spent the morning diving deep into the “full-court press” of current industry challenges, focusing on procurement and how we at NationaLease can assist our members in staying competitive in today’s ever-changing marketplace. We shared programs and tools that NationaLease provides to our members and listened as they shared their challenges and opportunities. It’s always refreshing to collaborate with partners who understand that winning isn’t just about a single big play; it’s about the fundamentals—maintenance, safety, and consistent execution.
By the time we wrapped, Griffin and I were ready for some halftime fuel. We headed back east and pulled into Stockton for lunch at The Pit Stop. The name couldn’t be more fitting for a road warrior and what a great stop it was! I was delighted to find they served all-day breakfast, while Griffin opted for more traditional lunch fare. We were both so full that we didn’t have room for the ice cream that caught our eye when we walked in. We were also a little too early in the day to enjoy their fully stocked bar. As we refueled, I kept one eye on the scores flickering across the screen. There’s something about a small-town diner during March Madness that reminds you of the heart of this country. These are the communities that keep our trucks moving and our economy rebounding.
As we finished the trek back toward the Chicago suburbs, the sun started to dip, casting long shadows over the Illinois farmland. Whether it’s a buzzer-beater on the court or hitting a key milestone in fleet operations, success comes down to the same thing: staying focused on the goal and trusting the team around you.
The road is long, and the competition is tough, but as long as we keep our eyes on the fundamentals, we’re bound for the Final Four of logistics excellence.
See you on the road!
