CED

September 2013

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From the Chairman President & CEO - TOBY MACK Associated Equipment Distributors Oak Brook, Ill. Send Your Next Gen Leader to the Dealer Executives' 'Boot Camp' Executive Vice President & COO Robert Henderson Associated Equipment Distributors Oak Brook, Ill. Officers Chairman - mike quirk Wagner Equipment Co. Aurora, Colo. This November, Leadership Academy leaps to a higher plane with Disney Institute. 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 I have always enjoyed the changing seasons and what they represent in our personal and professional lives. This time of year there are constant reminders to me about getting back to the basics of the things that are really important to us. I'm thinking about the foundational ingredients that are integral to who we are and will become over the course of time, regardless of the rapidly changing culture that we live in. Autumn to me has also meant preparation for the future. Getting ready for what lies ahead for us, as well as those around us. It is a combination of factors that brings things into greater focus. Shorter days represent that the year is winding down. Most of the time it means that the distractions of summer retreat, and a greater sense of responsibility and urgency seem to set in. There are many around us who depend on us, and many more on whom we depend. I am reminded of my goals and objectives. Whether the goal is short term or longer term, I find this time of year especially suited as a time to assess progress. One of my objectives as your AED Chairman for 2013 is to seize every opportunity to engage the next generation of industry leaders to identify and experience the unique benefits of AED. I look back on my 38 years in this business and on the positive impact provided to me through my engagement with this fine association. I was fortunate to have worked for people who recognized the advantages of AED as a capable industry resource without a bias toward any specific brand. I was encouraged to step (or maybe I was pushed) out of my comfort zone and get some exposure to a broader experience base and perspective. Through my involvement in AED I got that and a whole lot more. I spoke to my peers for their input as well. There were abundant examples where AED provides unique differentiation and a few that stand out as real show stoppers. What we all agree on is that AED must keep an eye on the needs of our businesses today. It is a new generation with new opportunities and challenges. It is imperative that our programs focus on today and the future. One of them is just around the corner: The 2013 Leadership Academy in November. It promises to be an exciting, brand new program featuring the world-renowned Disney Institute. You might ask the question, "What do Walt and Mickey know about the equipment distribution business?" The answer is: "Quite a lot." They are a world-class professional training institute that understands the world of business and takes the time to familiarize themselves with our industry. They've tailored the program to our business in today's competitive environment. It is going to be an unprecedented AED program for the next generation of dealer principals and potential executive management team leaders. Current owners and leaders from our dealerships, manufacturers, and service firms with executive responsibility will benefit equally as well in this uplifting and very interactive environment. The Leadership Academy embraces its heritage as one of the hallmarks of the AED experience. Working side by side with other current and future leaders from our industry is what AED is all about. Where else can our best and brightest work elbow to elbow with their peers, getting the "Boot Camp" experience of how to run an equipment dealership. In a world where texting and social media have all but taken over, this remains a program that promises the stuff that builds and promotes the potential for lasting and valuable relationships. What a great concept! Mike Quirk (mquirk@wagnerequipment.com) is vice president of Operations at Wagner Equipment Co., Aurora, Colo. September 2013 | Construction Equipment Distribution | www.cedmag.com | 5 8/28/13 12:40 PM

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