Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/141668
From the Chairman President & CEO - TOBY MACK Associated Equipment Distributors Oak Brook, Ill. The Future of Our Industry is In Good Hands Executive Vice President & COO Robert Henderson Associated Equipment Distributors Oak Brook, Ill. Officers Chairman - mike quirk Wagner Equipment Co. Aurora, Colo. But it's up to us to nurture them – here's a good place to start. Vice Chairman - Tim Watters Hoffman Equipment Co., Piscataway, N.J. Sr. Vice President - Don Shilling General Equipment & Supplies, Inc. Fargo, N.D. Vice President - Rick van exan Toromont Industries Inc. Concord, Ontario Vice President - whit perryman Vermeer of Texas Inc. Irving, Texas Vice President of Finance Michael D. Brennan Brandeis Machinery & Supply Co., Louisville, Ky. Past Chairman - Larry Glynn CMW Equipment St. Louis, Mo. At-Large Directors ron barlet Bejac Corp. Placentia, Calif. Paula Benard C.N. Wood Co., Inc. Woburn, Mass. Gregg R. Erb Erb Equipment Company, Inc. Fenton, Mo. Dennis J. heller Stephenson Equipment Inc. Harrisburg, Pa. Mike Rooney Thompson Tractor Co., Inc. Tarrant, Ala. Michael J. Savastio Groff Tractor & Equipment, Inc. Mechanicsburg, Pa. Regional Directors Bruce A. Bowman Upper Midwest Reg. Star Equipment, Ltd Des Moines, Iowa gary frelick Western Canada Reg. Douglas Lake Equipment Langley, BC Patrick McConnell, West Reg. Clyde/West, Inc. Portland, Ore. christopher palmer Northeast Reg. Wood's CRW Corp. Williston, Vt. Mark Romer, Southeast Reg. James River Equipment, Inc. Ashland, Va. Jeffrey Scott Rocky Mountain Reg. Intermountain Bobcat Salt Lake City, Utah Rick Van Exan Eastern Canada Reg. Toromont Industries Ltd. Concord, ON gary D. Vaughn South Central Reg. OCT Equipment, Inc. Oklahoma City, Okla. 5_fromthechairman_KP.indd 5 By Mike Quirk Those of us who claim to know a little about the equipment business recognize the great challenges and opportunities through which we must navigate on a daily basis. We frequently lament the fact that nothing comes easy, and the road to remain consistently profitable seems to be ever changing. Our businesses have so many moving parts that require our focus that now, more than ever, we must be ready to face the business head on. I am optimistic about our future. The primary reason for my optimism is the impressive development of our next generation of people who are coming up the ranks in our industry. Make no mistake, we are in the people business. As customers get more demanding we need individuals who are more capable and more motivated to meet their needs. This is where AED can really help. AED continues to produce relevant tools for the development of the next generation of leaders for AED member companies. Throughout the year there are opportunities at all levels of our business to build knowledge, confidence, and enthusiasm. Let me give you a number of examples: There is the AED Leadership Academy in November, where future leaders – including your sons and daughters in the business – learn essential skills to prepare them for their roles as presidents and senior management of dealer companies. In addition to the fresh and relevant content, this event provides valuable networking with their peers from all across North American markets. Also, take a look at the AED Foundation/ PriSim Test Drive. This seminar provides an interactive and realistic business simulation that motivates and engages participants. It is uniquely dealership-oriented and includes sales, parts, service, staffing, F&I, and equipment rental decisions. When combined with the real world action planning done in the course, Test Drive will better prepare key decision makers to capitalize on the opportunities that are emerging in today's market. (Oct. 1-2) For those employees needing to learn results-based dealer management from the ground up, look to the industry- and positionspecific seminars and webinars provided by The AED Foundation. The Foundation also offers self-study management courses that cover the parts, service, rental, and finance areas as well as sales and customer management. The real beauty of these programs is that they have been developed by and for the people of the equipment distribution industry. These programs allow you to demonstrate your commitment to your employees' continuous improvement and the importance of lifelong learning. Since our businesses rely so heavily on the people who serve our customers, our willingness to invest in their personal and professional development is in everyone's best interest. Don't underestimate the positive outcomes that occur when an AED member actively engages with the association and beyond. Our industry is highly respected for its exceptionally high business standards and ethical behavior – by supporting our affiliated local groups, the current and future leaders of our companies can stay aware of state, provincial, and local issues affecting the industry and our customers. Finally, AED is committed to public policy advocacy throughout North America and continues to build solid credibility and coalitions with a variety of like-minded stakeholders with common values. Look around your company and identify the people who can get more involved in AED – they will gain valuable experience and add bench strength to your organization while contributing to the great legacy of AED. Mike Quirk (mquirk@wagnerequipment.com) is vice president of Operations at Wagner Equipment Co., Aurora, Colo. July 2013 | Construction Equipment Distribution | www.cedmag.com | 5 6/27/13 3:42 PM