The NationaLease Spring Maintenance Managers Meeting in Greenville, S.C., included a ceremony announcing NationaLease’s Exceptional Service Award winners, which are NationaLease member companies that provided particularly outstanding reciprocal road service to fellow members throughout the year.
“This year’s event not only broke attendance records, but it also provided members with solid service and profitmaking tips to help them grow their businesses,” says Dean Vicha, president of NationaLease, a full-service truck leasing organization.
A highlight of this year’s meeting were educational tours of the Michelin Greenville plant and training facility, along with trips to the Michelin test track, which included high-speed rides on the two-mile test track.
The general session opened with the keynote address by Jay Blake, a well-respected and popular speaker, who told the audience how his life drastically changed after an industrial accident that left him blind. Blake, racing’s only blind race crew chief, shared his perspective on life and how he was able to overcome daunting obstacles in order to follow his dreams.
The event’s Round Table discussion addressed issues that included diesel particulate filters; how to handle downtime on new trucks; working with OEMs and dealers on new technology issues; training drivers to assist emissions issues; and natural gas engines. The analysis was led by Tom Boyer of Hogan Truck Leasing, a NationaLease member; Ronny Brown of Catawba Rental Co., a NationaLease member; Ray Keller of Salem NationaLease; Jim Ryan of Kris-Way Truck Leasing, a NationaLease member; and Kenny Watts of Carco NationaLease.
NationaLease executives provided industry updates and led breakout sessions on a number of key topics. Kelly Kordowski unveiled the newest video explaining the NationaLease Reciprocal Service program, while Jane Clark presented a session on recruiting diesel technicians. This year’s Idea Session generated 15 ways technology and tools might contribute to a more productive maintenance operation, earning Hayes Conn of Hub Truck NationaLease first place.
