Fullbay has unveiled its packed agenda of prominent presenters, programs and sponsors for its fourth annual Diesel Connect Conference.
In addition to keynote presenters — LearnToLead President Dave Anderson, ATRI Senior Research Associate Dr. Alex Leslie, and NASCAR broadcast analyst Larry McReynolds — the three-day event will feature panels and workshops designed to bring the diesel industry together to connect, learn and discuss important issues related to heavy-duty repair.
The conference will be held May 19–21, 2026, in Phoenix.
“Diesel Connect is all about bringing people together to share knowledge and insights that keep our industry moving and help shops run more successfully,” says Trent Broberg, CEO of Fullbay. “The 2026 event will be the biggest yet, featuring topics ranging from tariffs, talent, succession planning, shop marketing, leadership and, of course, AI implementation.”
Exciting trio of keynote speakers
Dave Anderson, President, LearnToLead: Dave “Mr. Accountability” Anderson is a leading international speaker and author, specializing in personal and corporate performance improvement. After a successful career in the automotive retail business, Dave and his wife Rhonda launched LearnToLead with the goal of helping individuals and organizations reach their true potential.
Alex Leslie, Senior Research Associate, American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI): Dr. Alex Leslie’s research focuses on combining a variety of qualitative and data science techniques to analyze industry economics, performance measurement and labor issues. He is the primary author of ATRI’s annual benchmarking report, Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, and has recently led research on trucking tort litigation, diesel technician shortfalls and driver detention.
Larry McReynolds, Broadcast Analyst for NASCAR: Larry McReynolds is a two-time DAYTONA 500 winning NASCAR Cup Series crew chief and a longtime FOX Sports NASCAR analyst, entering his 26th season with the network. As a crew chief, McReynolds earned 23 Cup Series victories working with racing legends such as Davey Allison, Dale Earnhardt and Ernie Irvan. Since transitioning to broadcasting, he has become one of the sport’s most trusted voices, known for his in-depth analysis of race strategy, rules and competition.
Other presenters and sponsors
Fullbay notes Diesel Connect will include presentations and panel discussions with industry experts, shop owners, business leaders and consultants. Some of these speakers include:
Peter Cooper, CEO, Ascend Consulting; Jamie Irvine, Host of Heavy Duty Parts Report; Jay Goninen, co-founder and president, WrenchWay; Noah Hickey, CEO, Whip Around; Gary Price, CEO, and Rick Jacobs, CDO, True North Fleet Services; Justin Steen, CEO, SideKick Operators; Bruno Gattamorta, CCO, Cojali USA; Shiva Bhardwaj, senior vice president, Fullbay (Co-Founder of AI-powered Pitstop, now part of Fullbay)
“An event is only as strong as it’s presenters, sponsors and attendees. We are nearing sell-out levels for Diesel Connect, the roster of speakers is diverse in knowledge and experience and sponsor participation has been amazing. We are excited to see how this year’s event will impact attendees’ shops, businesses and personal lives,” adds Broberg.
