CED

February 2013

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Just Say Yes AED 2013 Chairman Mike Quirk is known for saying 'Yes' to difficult jobs. Expect him to roll up his sleeves to enhance the value of your AED membership. By Joanne Costin Mike Quirk has made a career out of saying yes; of taking on the jobs that most wouldn't find desirable. And when asked to take the helm of AED in 2013, of course he said "yes." A realist, Quirk understands the equipment business is different than it was 15 years ago. "It is a different set of dynamics," said Quirk. "Challenges continue to grow. There is tremendous uncertainty." Yet as much as distributors need to have an eye on their businesses, Quirk is confident there is value in being part of AED. He isn't sure the next generation of distributors fully understands all that AED offers. And with a work ethic that has served him well throughout his career, he's out to change that. "You don't do that through a memo or campaign," said Quirk. "It takes continuous improvement on AED's part." The Unique Value of AED Since he attended his first local AED meeting in Colorado in 1979, Quirk has found value in standing elbowto-elbow with the same people with whom he competes day in and day out. "We wear our brands like a badge in this industry," said Quirk, who serves as vice president of Operations for Wagner Equipment Company, headquartered in Aurora, Colo., near Denver. "On a day-to-day basis we are trying to win business from each other, yet when we get together as AED members it's different. "AED provides an environment for business and industry leaders that are fierce competitors to join arms and work together to benefit our businesses and our customers' business," said Quirk, who has been active in steering local and national legislative agendas for AED. He believes alliances forged with other trade organizations with similar objectives have enabled members to pool their voices. "We may be competitors, but we are honest and straightforward and you can count on us for improving the industry and not eroding it," he said. When it comes to educational programs, Quirk says AED offers a solution for what he respectfully calls manufacturer inbreeding – or relying solely on a single manufacturer for training. "There's value in getting an industry perspective on broader best practices," added Quirk. "AED (continued on page 30) 26 | www.cedmag.com | Construction Equipment Distribution | February 2013 26_Chairman_feature_KP.indd 26 1/30/13 3:09 PM

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