Griffin Becker

Member Programs Manager, NationaLease

Griffin Becker is currently serving as the Member Programs Manager at NationaLease. In this role, Griffin ensures that NationaLease members get the full benefit of their membership by delivering programs that support business growth, operational efficiency, and collaboration. His work is both strategic and people-centered, helping to strengthen the network and unify independent leasing companies under shared goals. With a strong foundation in operations and member engagement, Griffin supports members nationwide by driving participation, providing valuable tools and resources, and proposing cost-saving programs that help members succeed in a competitive marketplace.

Griffin holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Truman State University, equipping him with a solid analytical and financial background that informs his approach to program development and business support.

Griffin brings energy, professionalism, and a results-oriented mindset to everything he does, making him a trusted partner to NationaLease members and an asset to the organization’s success.

Luc Belliveau

District Manager – Atlantic Canada-Ontario, Freightliner

A District Manager with DTNA since 2004, he brings more than 30 years of experience in the trucking industry, with a career spanning roles as a mechanic, truck driver, parts and service sales representative, engine sales representative and District Manager. Based in Memramcook, New Brunswick, he enjoys spending time with his family and taking advantage of the outdoors through walking, biking, hiking and exploring nature.

Charles Bernard

Chief Economist, CADA

Charles Bernard is CADA’s Chief Economist based in Ottawa. In charge of quantitative and qualitative policy analysis, Charles contributes to CADA’s advocacy efforts by providing useful context, data and expertise to policymakers and public officials. Acting as a spokesperson for CADA in French, Charles has appeared in hundreds of media interviews, across the country, to discuss the automotive and overall commercial situation in Canada and North America. Finally, he is heavily present across the automotive conference circuit and provides insight to relevant stakeholders about the larger sectoral trends affecting the auto retail industry and its members.

Prior to joining CADA, Charles held University teaching roles in economics and policy and has led research projects for a leading Canadian trade association. During that time, Charles conducted research into the political dynamics of economic integration and the institutional influence of trade agreements on national policy making. In his SSHRC-funded MA dissertation, Charles examined how the CUSMA agreement impacted the economic interests of Canadian trade and digital economy. Charles has also published automotive economic research including “Make America Great Again: A New Auto Pact for the North American Car Industry.”

Mike Blimling

Vice President of Truck Technology and Maintenance, NationaLease

Mike Blimling is Vice President of Truck Technology and Maintenance at NationaLease, where he brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across fleet maintenance, operations, and transportation technology. Based in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, he has progressed from frontline service roles to executive leadership, giving him a comprehensive perspective on the operational, technical, and business priorities that shape fleet performance. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and a Master of Arts from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Over the course of his career, Mike has led maintenance and operational functions across service, delivery, trucking, leasing, and rental organizations, with responsibility for fleets ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 vehicles. His experience spans maintenance strategy, regulatory compliance, asset management, procurement, capital planning, and vendor performance, supported by accountability for multimillion-dollar budgets and enterprise-wide improvement initiatives. He has also led the implementation of key business and fleet systems, using data and reporting to improve uptime, strengthen preventive maintenance performance, and support informed operating decisions.

In this role, Mike partners with maintenance leaders, original equipment manufacturers, and suppliers to advance solutions that help NationaLease members drive uptime and lower their cost of doing business while delivering greater value to their customers. His background in fleet procurement, maintenance operations, warranty recovery, and operational and financial reporting enables him to translate strategy into practical results for members.

Jane Clark

Senior Vice President of Operations, NationaLease

Jane Clark serves as the Senior Vice President of Operations at NationaLease, bringing over 15 years of dedicated service to the organization. In her current role, she oversees Member Services, including Reciprocal Service, Purchasing, Meetings, and National Account Support. Jane strategically manages resources, cultivates strong member relationships, optimizes costs, and fosters collaboration within NationaLease supporting groups. Prior to joining NationaLease, Jane served as the Area Vice President for Randstad, showcasing leadership in the recruitment services industry. Her professional journey also includes management roles with QPS Companies, Pro Staff, and Manpower, Inc.

Jane holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from North Central College and a Master of Arts in Communication from Northern Illinois University, reflecting her commitment to continuous learning. Her proven leadership and strategic vision contribute significantly to NationaLease's operational efficiency and the delivery of exceptional member services.

Mike Dearden

President, Dearden & Associates

Mike Dearden is President of Dearden & Associates, where he advises organizations, entrepreneurs, and innovation leaders on venture development, strategic growth, and ecosystem building. With extensive experience supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development initiatives, Mike helps ventures expand into new markets, establish strategic partnerships, and create sustainable pathways for long-term growth.

Throughout his career, Mike has worked with founders, accelerators, innovation organizations, investors, and government agencies across Canada and internationally. His expertise includes venture and ecosystem development, international market expansion, investment and capital access strategies, public-private collaboration, and stakeholder engagement. He is passionate about connecting entrepreneurs with the resources, partnerships, and opportunities needed to accelerate innovation and business success.

As a strategic advisor, Mike is committed to strengthening innovation ecosystems and fostering collaboration among businesses, investors, institutions, and economic development partners. His work focuses on helping organizations build capacity, support emerging ventures, and drive meaningful economic impact through entrepreneurship and international collaboration.

Joe Gallick

Senior Vice President of Sales, NationaLease

An experienced supply chain executive and spokesperson, Joseph K Gallick is a prominent leader in the truck leasing, maintenance and logistics industry. A graduate of Montclair State University, Gallick has served as a corporate liaison with numerous business and academic partnerships including the Penn State University Center for Supply Chain Research where he was the 2010 recipient of the Penn State University Robert D. Pashek Award for his contributions to the logistics and transportation fields. Gallick is also a member of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, Truck Rental and Leasing Association, National Private Truck Council, as well as various industry trade organizations.

Kevin Hoyt

Group Controller, VEL NationaLease

Kevin Hoyt has more than 35 years of experience in account management and commercial financial services. As the Group Controller for VEL NationaLease, Kevin manages financial operations for several business units, including heavy truck, highway trailer, and automobile dealerships in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada. Whether the job calls for finding efficiencies, improving financial performance, or streamlining processes, Kevin is dedicated to driving the success of projects and programs.

Luc Leblanc

Technical Sales Representative - Canada East, Freightliner

A Detroit Technical Sales Representative since 2014, he brings more than 35 years of experience in the industrial vehicle industry, with expertise spanning design, engineering, manufacturing, change control, field service and operations. He is a Professional Mechanical Engineer, having graduated from Montreal Polytechnical School, and holds certifications in Six Sigma Green Belt and Lean Manufacturing. Based in Montreal, Quebec, he enjoys spending his personal time outdoors, particularly cycling, skiing and hiking.

Kevin McMahon

Senior Marketing Specialist, NationaLease

Kevin McMahon has served as Senior Marketing Specialist at NationaLease since 2024. In this role, he's responsible for helping members maximize their NationaLease affiliation. In addition to communicating the value and availability of marketing resources, hiring tools, and learning opportunities throughout the year, he also drives NationaLease's content strategy through media outreach, article writing and editing, and video.

Kevin also coordinates with National Accounts to execute customer-facing marketing campaigns to prospects, expand brand awareness, and demonstrate the benefits of the NationaLease network to potential customers.

Kevin has a Bachelor of Arts in International Business from North Central College. Prior to joining NationaLease, he's held roles in sales and marketing at Polymershapes, Dealer eProcess, and SquareGPS.

Dean Vicha

President, NationaLease

An industry leader with over 30 years of experience, Dean Vicha's success in the truck leasing industry comes from the principals of personal responsibility, unrelenting perseverance and confidence focused on the growth of the customers, members, and business partners of NationaLease.

Vicha began his career with NationaLease as a National Account Executive for the Midwest in 2005, where he substantially grew the National Account Program to more than $447 million in term sales. In 2008, he became Vice President of Member Services, executing a strategy that provided a sustainable competitive advantage to NationaLease members and growing the membership base. In 2010, Vicha became the Vice President of National Accounts, leading that team to a record-breaking year in sales. In 2012, Vicha was named President of NationaLease, where he helps members increase their market share and decrease their cost of business. In the last decade, he has grown the company in terms of size and scope. Today, NationaLease has more than 1,000 locations and a fleet count of over 184,000 throughout the United States and Canada.

Shawn Watson

President, Truckway NationaLease

Shawn T. Watson is the President of Truckway Leasing, bringing extensive leadership to the transportation sector. Their expertise encompasses strategic management and business development within the leasing and rental industry.

At Truckway Leasing, Shawn provides oversight for commercial leasing, rental, and maintenance services, contributing to the company's operations across Ohio, Kentucky, and extending throughout the U.S. and Canada via the NationaLease Network. Their role involves managing full-service leasing, preventative maintenance, and compliance programs. Shawn's leadership also includes a focus on sustainability and environmental efforts within Truckway's operations. Previously at Truckway Leasing, Shawn held the title of President.

Building on this foundation, Shawn served as a Business Development Manager at Ryder, a logistics and transportation company. In this role, they focused on expanding business opportunities and fostering client relationships within the freight and logistics services sector.

Prior to Ryder, Shawn was a Region Manager at W.W. Williams, a sales and service network of industrial power products. Their responsibilities included service and repair, OEM product sales, and supply chain management solutions, serving on-highway truck fleets, off-highway equipment users, commercial facility owners, and marine equipment owners.

Shawn's academic background includes a Master's degree from Northern Kentucky University, a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) from The College of Mount Saint Joseph, an Associate degree from Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, and a diploma from Mt. Healthy High School.