Carl Diehl from Hogan Truck Leasing, a NationaLease member in Cleveland, OH, is the winner of the 16th Annual NationaLease Tech Challenge, earning his second consecutive title. Diehl was recognized for this distinct achievement at the 2026 NationaLease Maintenance Managers Meeting, hosted at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare Hotel in Rosemont, IL.
The finalists for this event were the top-scoring individuals from each of NationaLease’s nine regions in the U.S. and Canada, as well as the next-highest-scoring technician, on a multiple-choice exam of over 100 questions taken by more than 340 technicians. The Hands-On Competition, hosted at the TransChicago NationaLease Training & Innovation Center in Villa Park, IL, determined the Top Tech, along with the first and second runners-up.
Diehl, last year’s winner of the Tech Challenge, is a graduate of Ohio Technical College and an ASE Advanced Level Master Technician. He has competed at TMCSuperTech on several occasions, winning several stations and placing an impressive 3rd overall in 2025. He’s also competed at the Ohio Technician Competition, taking first place in 2024.
John Norwood of Aim NationaLease in Phoenix, AZ, finished as first runner-up, and Cole Readman of Warner Leasing, a NationaLease member in Saskatoon, SK, was this year’s second runner-up. All three have qualified to represent NationaLease at the TMCSuperTech Competition in September.
In addition to the top three, the following were station winners at this year’s competition:
- Station 1: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems – Wade Murphy-Price, Airoldi Brothers NationaLease
- Station 2: Electrical – John Norwood, Aim NationaLease
- Station 3: Brakes & Wheel End – Brian Climes, Hogan Truck Leasing, a NationaLease member
- Station 4: Tires – Carl Diehl, Hogan Truck Leasing, a NationaLease member
- Station 5: Engine Diagnostics – Carl Diehl, Hogan Truck Leasing, a NationaLease member
- Station 6: Aftertreatment – Eric Maynard, Aim NationaLease
- Station 7: Air Systems – Carl Diehl, Hogan Truck Leasing, a NationaLease member
- Station 8: Preventive Maintenance – Carl Diehl, Hogan Truck Leasing, a NationaLease member
- Station 9: Lubricants – Cole Readman, Warner Leasing Company, a NationaLease member
- Station 10: Cranking & Charging – Carl Diehl, Hogan Truck Leasing, a NationaLease member
The year’s field comprised of:
- Region 1: Cole Readman, Warner Leasing, a NationaLease member
- Region 2: Matt Dove, Aim NationaLease
- Region 3: Eric Maynard, Aim NationaLease
- Region 4: Brian Climes, Hogan Truck Leasing, a NationaLease member
- Region 5: Jeremy Clark, Truckway NationaLease
- Region 5: Carl Diehl, Hogan Truck Leasing, a NationaLease member
- Region 6: Darren Sapp, Kirk NationaLease
- Region 7: Wade Murphy-Price, Airoldi Brothers NationaLease
- Region 8: Cassady Breazzeal, Carco NationaLease
- Region 9: John Norwood, Aim NationaLease
“It’s been a privilege to be a part of this competition these last 12 years,” Joe Puff, vice president of truck technology and maintenance at NationaLease, said. “I’m honored to have played in a part in showcasing the exceptional skills and expertise of the people who keep our industry running. Congratulations to Carl for repeating as our champion, our first and second runners-up, and all the finalists for another outstanding year of competition.”
