The setting couldn’t have been more spectacular, as NationaLease hosted their 73rd Annual Meeting on Coronado Island at the Hotel Del Coronado. Jane Clark, Vice President of Member Services for NationaLease welcomed the large crowd and introduced the theme of this year’s meeting, Changes and Challenges: How Technology is Reshaping Business. Jane introduced the meeting’s first speaker, Dick Finnegan, CEO with C-Suite Analytics, and author of The Power of Stay Interviews for Engagement and Retention. Dick shared his proven steps for increasing engagement and reducing turnover, and showed how that will directly impact companies’ bottom line. The next speaker, Rich Leibfried, President with RJL Insurance Services, shared an insurance gap analysis, based on his reviews of insurance policies of many leasing companies and pointed out some common mistakes and areas where companies can save money and minimize risk. The afternoon session concluded with Jason Walker, Vice President of Sales & Tyler Mortensen, Director of Strategy & Government Sales for GPS Insight, LLC who discussed big data and how to use telematics to increase customer satisfaction and improve your bottom line. Members and suppliers had the opportunity to network at the evening’s Trade and Technology Fair.
Day 2 of the meeting kicked off with the nomination of new Board Members to replace Vic Corley, C&W NationaLease, and Tom James, Fox & James NationaLease who both completed their respective terms on the Board of Directors. Nominating Committee Chair, Mike Margarone, President of DeCarolis Truck Rental, Inc., a NationaLease Member presented the slate of nominees and accepted nominations from the floor before voting commenced. The NationaLease membership approved new Board Members Brad Fauvre, Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing, a NationaLease Member, and Jérôme Léonard, Location Brossard NationaLease. Dick Hyatt, President & CEO with Decisiv, Inc. continued the meeting with a discussion on the changing technology landscape, and what that will mean to the industry as we face potential disruption from both current and future competitors. Matt Clark, Chief Operating Office with Corcentric, followed with some insights into current technology and trends in the areas of procurement, accounts payable, and accounts receivable, and how to use them to create a competitive advantage. Donald Broughton, Managing Partner-Principal with Broughton Capital LLC, joined the group to share his insights into the economic trends in transportation, as well as the industries that affect it, and what to expect for business in the last two quarters of 2017 and beyond.
After lunch on the hotel’s Sun Deck, the group reconvened for an update on what’s happening on “The Hill”. Truck Rental and Leasing Association’s President & CEO, Jake Jacoby shared what TRALA is doing to help protect those in our industry and what pending issues to watch. Jake then introduced Ken Kies, Managing Director of the Federal Policy Group, who is now representing TRALA before Congress and the White House to lobby for favorable tax reform. Ken shared an update on what his group is doing and the current challenges in working with the federal government. Jane Clark followed with an update on some of the newest programs and services offered to NationaLease members by the NationaLease Home Office, and Joe Gallick, Senior Vice President of Sales for NationaLease shared updates on National Accounts sales efforts and recognized Lacy Teague of Salem NationaLease for winning the Top Sales Award for 2016. The general session concluded with a special treat, a presentation from Captain Craig Clapperton of the U.S. Navy, who shared his thoughts on leadership, as well as a truly eye-opening explanation of what the men and women of our Armed Forces do to protect the interests and citizens of the United States.
The closing Awards Dinner took place in the hotel’s historic Crown Room. Before the awards presentation, the attendees were guided through a wine tasting and pairing, along with tips for Power Entertaining by America’s first Master Sommelier, Eddie Osterland. After the dinner and entertainment, Dean Vicha began the awards presentations by announcing the retirement of Jack Zolomy, a long-time NationaLease Board Member and supporter of NationaLease in various roles throughout his career. Dean presented Jack with a token of appreciation for his many years of service to the NationaLease system. Dean continued by recognizing Hogan Truck Leasing, Inc., a NationaLease Member for winning this year’s Tech Challenge and Michelin & TCi Tire Centers – Lakeside, California location for hosting this year’s Tech Challenge. Dean also recognized departing Board Members Vic Corley and Tom James, and newly elected directors of the Board, Brad Fauvre and Jérôme Léonard, along with newly appointed Chairman of the Board, Dave Renz. Dave then presented Tom Keefer of Kris-Way Truck Leasing, Inc., a NationaLease Member with the traditional gavel for his services as Chairman and his transition to Past Chairman.
Dean then recognized NationaLease members celebrating special anniversaries:
Celebrating 10 years
- Currie Leasing Inc., a NationaLease Member
- Harrison Rental & Leasing, a NationaLease Member
Celebrating 15 years
- Advantage NationaLease
- Bruckner NationaLease
- C & D NationaLease
- Carmichael NationaLease
- Minuteman Trucks, Inc., a NationaLease Member
- TLC NationaLease
- Tri Leasing NationaLease
Celebrating 20 years
- Benco Leasing, LLC, a NationaLease Member
- General Truck Leasing, LLC, a NationaLease Member
- TEC Leasing, a NationaLease Member
Celebrating 25 years
- All Services Leasing, Inc., a NationaLease Member
- Calmont NationaLease
- Conway Beam NationaLease
- Fleet Master, Inc., a NationaLease Member
- Rihm NationaLease
- RSD NationaLease
- Truckway NationaLease
Celebrating 30 years
- Daco NationaLease
Celebrating 35 years
- DSU NationaLease
- Location Robert NationaLease
Celebrating 40 years
- Success NationaLease
Celebrating 45 years
- Hub Truck NationaLease
Finally, Dean recognized C&W NationaLease with a proclamation celebrating 50 years in the NationaLease system. Dean then introduced Jane Clark, who continued the awards with the presentation of the Leadership Circle, an award that is presented annually to recognize the NationaLease members that consistently exemplify their commitment to the NationaLease System. The criteria for this award include adherence to Member Standards, participation in NationaLease programs, and volunteerism efforts such as participation on the Board of Directors, task forces, and committees. Jane announced that 29 NationaLease members have met these high standards for 2017.
The 2017 Leadership Circle Award winners are:
- Advantage NationaLease
- Aim NationaLease
- Airoldi Brothers NationaLease
- All Services Leasing, Inc., a NationaLease Member
- Autow NationaLease
- Bentley Truck Services, Inc., a NationaLease Member
- Brown NationaLease
- C & W NationaLease
- Carco NationaLease
- Carmichael NationaLease
- Conway Beam NationaLease
- DeCarolis Truck Rental, Inc., a NationaLease Member
- Diversified Truck Leasing, a NationaLease Member
- Fox & James NationaLease
- Hogan Truck Leasing, Inc., a NationaLease Member
- Hub Truck NationaLease
- Interstate NationaLease
- Koch NationaLease
- Kris-Way Truck Leasing, Inc., a NationaLease Member
- McMahon Truck Leasing, a NationaLease Member
- Miller NationaLease
- Parrish Leasing, Inc., a NationaLease Member
- Rihm NationaLease
- Salem NationaLease
- Suppose-U-Drive Truck Rental Service, a NationaLease Member
- TCI Leasing/Rentals, a NationaLease Member
- TEC Leasing, a NationaLease Member
- Truckway NationaLease
- Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing, a NationaLease Member
NationaLease’s 74th Annual Meeting will be held September 16-17th, 2018 at the JW Marriott Marquis in Miami, FL.
