The National Truck Leasing System (NationaLease) used the occasion of its 56th annual meeting in Chicago earlier this week to recognize a select group of members for outstanding performance.

Eighteen of NationaLease's 117 affiliates were presented with the inaugural Leadership Circle Award, while nine received Exceptional Service Awards. The honors were bestowed by NationaLease president and CEO Bill Ford at a Sept. 26 awards luncheon.
According to Ford, the new Leadership Circle Award, which will be an annual recognition, was created to acknowledge leadership within the organization, based on an extensive set of criteria. Included in the evaluation, among other things, are adherence to franchise standards, participation in NationaLease programs, involvement in the board of directors and task forces, volunteerism, attendance at meetings and the affiliate company's growth.
Presented with inaugural Leadership Circle Awards were: Airoldi Brothers NationaLease, Milwaukee, WI; Autow NationaLease, Nashville, TN; Bright NationaLease, Garland, TX; Brown NationaLease, Des Moines, IA; Calmont NationaLease, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Gator Leasing, Miami, FL; Hub Truck NationaLease, Farmingdale, NY; Interstate NationaLease, Albany, NY; Kirk NationaLease, Sidney, OH; McCoy NationaLease, Appleton, WI; NationaLease of Kansas City, KS; Parrish Leasing, Fort Wayne, IN; Pollock NationaLease, Strathroy, OH; Salem NationaLease, Winston-Salem, NC; Scully NationaLease, Fontana, CA; Siva NationaLease, Milwaukee, WI; Stoops NationaLease, Indianapolis, IN; Tandet NationaLease, Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
The annual Exceptional Service Awards, which go to the affiliate's service manager, are presented in three categories: small fleet (up to 149 vehicles), medium (150-399) and large (400+).
The first place Exceptional Service Award for small fleets went to Parrish Leasing, Fort Wayne, IN. Second place went to Schaffer NationaLease, Indianapolis, and third place to Trans National NationaLease, Tacoma, WA.
The awards for the medium-size fleets were earned by Rapid Ways NationaLease, Kansas City, MO, first place; Lawrence NationaLease, Red Wing, MN, second place, and Carco NationaLease, Fort Smith, AR, third place.
For the large companies, those with 400 or more vehicles, General Car & Truck Leasing, Davenport, IA, took first place; AMI Leasing, Girard, OH, second, and Hub Truck NationaLease, Farmingdale, NY, third.