Ashley Barber

Senior IT Program Manager, NationaLease

Ashley Barber is a distinguished Senior IT Program Manager with extensive experience in blending technical expertise, project management skills, and business acumen to lead and deliver complex technical projects successfully. Ashley has been with NationaLease since 2023, where she spearheads initiatives including the development of a centralized database for National Account records, the creation of customer-facing dashboards, and the automation of reporting processes. Prior to NationaLease, Ashley dedicated 21 years to GEICO, where she excelled in roles such as Technical Program Manager, Product Owner, Agile Delivery Lead, and leading Command Center Operations. Her tenure at GEICO was marked by her leadership within IT, change controls, and the company-wide rollout of multi-factor authentication, as well as overseeing numerous cyber security and IT audits to ensure compliance and transparency. Additionally, she played a pivotal role in data analysis and strategic initiatives, driving key business decisions and optimizing processes. Ashley consistently demonstrated her ability to align technical projects with business objectives, foster innovation, and drive continuous improvement. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Wesleyan College and is certified as a SAFe 5 Scrum Master and in Microsoft Azure Fundamentals.

Jane Clark

Senior Vice President of Operations, NationaLease

Jane Clark serves as the Senior Vice President of Operations at NationaLease, bringing nearly 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.

Heather Coleman

Vice President of Operations, Enriched Academy

Heather Coleman, Vice President of Operations at Enriched Academy, is a dynamic leader dedicated to fostering employee financial wellness. Armed with a newly acquired MBA, Heather specializes in integrating financial education into corporate cultures. Leading the Associations and Corporations division, she actively collaborates with Canadian companies, guiding them in establishing a robust culture of financial well-being among employees. Beyond her corporate prowess, Heather is a passionate ringette player, showcasing her commitment to both teamwork and athleticism. An ardent Ottawa Senators fan, she brings the same level of enthusiasm to her professional pursuits as she does to cheering for her favorite team. Heather’s multifaceted approach underscores her commitment to holistic well-being, both in the workplace and on the ice.

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.

Michael J. Dearden

President, Dearden & Associates Inc.

A public policy expert and seasoned entrepreneur, Mike has split his career between the public and private sectors. After holding senior positions in the Canadian government as Chief of Staff to two cabinet ministers, Mike moved to Toronto and became a senior advisor to the President of a major agency of the Ontario government. In 1996, Mike founded his own consulting company, specializing in helping organizations understand and collaborate with the public sector.

For over 25 years, Mike has worked with the vehicle rental and leasing industry in Canada. He has represented members of both the Truck Rental and Leasing Association (TRALA) and the Associated Canadian Car Rental Organization (ACCRO) in Government Relations work.

Emerging technology has always been of interest to Mike, and he has brought the benefits of living in the Waterloo Region of Ontario, often referred to as Silicon Valley North, to his Government Relations work with the vehicle rental and leasing sector.

A graduate of the University of Western Ontario in Economics and Political Science, Mike has dedicated his career to working in government and business for the benefit of both.

Glen Kedzie

Principal, Energy & Environmental Strategies LLC

Glen serves as a Principal at Energy & Environmental Strategies LLC in Tysons Corner, Virginia where he strategically navigates clients through the myriad of complexities involving transportation public policy and regulatory and legislative development in the areas of energy, environment, sustainability, and technology at the state, federal, and international levels.

Glen served as Assistant General Counsel and as Vice President, Energy & Environmental Counsel for the American Trucking Associations based in Washington, DC for over 22 years. While there, he managed ATA's highly-respected energy, environmental, and sustainability practice and spearheaded its legal, regulatory, and public policy agenda; advocated on Capitol Hill and before federal agencies; counseled clients on complex matters involving alternative fuels, tax, up-stream/down-stream energy issues, and compliance with federal and state environmental laws; and lead industry efforts in decarbonizing the transport sector.

In his role with TRALA, Glen will strategize with TRALA's government relations team to determine how TRALA's members should traverse the coming changes to the trucking industry as it moves away from diesel and toward alternative sources of power. TRALA will utilize his expertise to help lobby CARB, EPA, and other entities with respect to environmental matters.

Byron Simpson

Member Programs Manager, NationaLease

Byron is the Member Programs Manager at NationaLease, where he oversees relationships between NationaLease members and their suppliers. He advises members on optimizing their purchase programs to enhance operational efficiency. Byron holds a B.S. in Business Economics from Florida A&M University and has a diverse professional background spanning over 27 years in the insurance industry.

His career in insurance included roles in underwriting, training, and sales management across the U.S. Before joining NationaLease, Byron owned and operated a Nationwide Insurance agency in Cleveland, OH. His exceptional service earned him several Conference of Champions awards, and he contributed to strategic initiatives as a member of both the Regional and National Agents' Advisory Boards.

In response to the recent pandemic, Byron relocated back to his hometown of Chicago to be closer to family and pursue new career opportunities. He joined CH Robinson as a Carrier Sales Representative, marking his entry into the transportation sector. Byron's success in this role led him to his current position at NationaLease.
Byron resides in Chicago with his wife and enjoys a vibrant family life with their wonderful blended family of four adult children.

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.

In his downtime, Vicha enjoys spending time with his wife, Whitney and children Riley and Brendan and playing golf or attending a sporting event. Vicha is a 1992 graduate of Illinois State University.