Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/107993
CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS P&CMA Membership A Real Value M y career in the petroleum marketing and convenience store industry began many years ago when I began working for Rick Morgan of Morgan Distributing Company in Opp, AL. The Morgan family had been active participants in the association for many years. Rick's father, "Mr. Henry," served as president of the Alabama Petroleum Marketers Association in 1960, and he continued to actively participate in the association for many years. In fact, it is believed that Mr. Henry and Mrs. Betty Morgan attended more consecutive summer conventions than any other couple. Rick followed in Mr. Henry's footsteps and served as President of AOA/AACS in 1999, the year of the association's 50th Anniversary. Way back then I had no idea that I, too, would one day have the honor and privilege of serving as Chairman of this great association. I thank you for placing your trust in me, and I want you to know that I take this responsibility very seriously. Serving as the association's Chairman is like participating in a relay race. The year we serve doesn't stand alone; but instead is our chance to take the baton from the person who served before us and run as good of a race as we can in order to pass the baton to someone else the next year. I want to thank outgoing Chairman Dean Mack for "running a great race" this past year. I hope to continue to move the association forward during my term as your Chairman. As I reflect on those who have "run the race" before me, I think about Mr. Henry Morgan and his long-time, loyal support and love for the association, the industry and the membership. Whether he was serving with fellow Amoco jobbers or competitors, Mr. Henry knew that a strong trade association was vital to everyone's long-term success. He knew that the group could accomplish things together that could not be accomplished by individuals. He wasn't alone in his thinking. Men like Sidney Waits, Tom Jones, Tom Thrasher, Bert Morgan and others shared in the vision of a strong association. Our industry and our businesses are vastly different today than in 1960 when Mr. Henry was President of the association, but one thing remains the same. We can accomplish more when we work together than we can as individuals. 6 OIL PROPHETS WINTER 2013 Candidly, over the past few years I think we have allowed ourselves to overlook the value of the association. The economy hasn't been good. Many of our members have either closed their doors or sold/merged with other companies. We think the business "isn't fun anymore." Well, perhaps some of this is true, but could it also be that we have lost sight of all of the true "benefits" of association membership? Mr. Henry didn't go to 40+ summer conventions in a row just because he loved to play golf (but those of you who remember him know he did). He went because he knew that attending events like the summer convention brought tangible benefits to him and his company. The networking, the education, the fellowship were all equally important. In today's environment we need to recognize the value of the association's events (convention, Gulf Coast Food and Fuel Expo, educational seminars, legislative luncheons, etc…) and we need to commit to supporting the association's activities by attending and participating. That's what made this association strong, and it's what we need to be successful in the future. In addition, we need to recognize the value of the association's legislative efforts. I cannot imagine what it would be like to run my business today had the association not worked on behalf of our industry. Without the association there may be no Underground Tank Fund, no below cost sales bill, higher taxes on our products, more regulations…..the list goes on and on. So, in closing, I ask you to recommit yourself and your business to the association for 2013. Give us a chance to show you the value proposition that we bring to your business. I think you'll be glad you did. Sincerely, R. Shayne Lord Chairman of the Board