Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/340625
July 2014 | Construction Equipment Distribution | www.cedmag.com | 7 BY KIM PHELAN Today, I'd like to talk about serendipity. Once in while, isn't it nice when some pleasant little surprise walks up behind you, taps you on the shoulder when you least expect it and says, "Here's a gift for you, something to brighten your day." Let me give you an example from the Life of Phelan. About two months ago, we resurrected the subject of a dog in my household. It's been about a year since we lost our Welsh terrorist, I mean terrier, and my daughter was beginning to push my puppy but- ton. My weakness when it comes to canines is a special breed of little devils called wire fox terriers, a combination of adorable, smart and comedic. I had resolved years ago during the pre- vious reign of terrier that if ever I were foolish enough to indulge once more in puppy-parenthood, it would have to be a wire. So, I started putting feelers out, visit- ing websites and e-mailing breeders. It had been over two decades since I had bought a wire pup, so I wasn't prepared for the price tag of $1,200 for the little tike I located about an hour from our home. Even when the breeder, Tracy, came down to $1,000, my inner cheapskate (as well as my bank account) could not justify this kind of expenditure right now. So, I ex- plained that $500 was really my outer limit, parted on friendly terms with Tracy, and regrouped with the family to determine our next move. Shelter visits and other breeder conversations didn't go well, and a week of disap- pointment passed. Then the phone rang. It was Tracy. She had sold the pup last weekend, she said, but two days later the couple had brought her back due to some allergy or something. Tracy said to me, "They felt so bad about bringing her back that they let me keep $500. I can now sell her to you for $500 if you're still interested." Ok, now maybe I've been under too much stress lately, but I'm not ashamed to tell you that as soon as I hung up the phone I walked outside and had a good old-fashioned cry-fest while giving the happy news to my family. It's now three weeks later, and our baby "Millie" is one spunky little bundle of joy. We're On a Roll If you haven't turned the page yet, retching from all this puppy mush, I've got another serendipitous story for you – and this one, I promise, is all about you. I've been knee-deep for several months organizing the agenda for this year's Executive Forum, Sept. 18-19, and one highlight I'm espe- cially excited about is a keynote on environmental extremism with Phelim McAleer, the investigative journalist who produced the awesome docu- mentary, "FrackNation." We're going to view the film over the lunch hour and then hear from McAleer himself! Ladies and gentlemen, it's going to be outstanding! But then serendipity struck – again. Thanks to a visit this spring from AED President Brian McGuire to several dealers in Birmingham, Ala., AED learned about the incredible battle one of our members has been wag- ing against antigrowth environmental groups that have succeeded in halting numerous highway projects through- out the South. That dealer is Mike Thompson, owner of Thompson Tractor, the Cat dealer in based Birmingham. Just the other day Mike agreed to come to Forum and share with all of you his incredible story of why he did it and what will happen to the country and our industry if this powerful, well-organized and well- funded force is not dealt with. One more story and I'm done. One of my Forum speakers cancelled on me a couple weeks ago, and that is a phone call no content planner ever wants to receive. But I got another sur- prise – my friend Rob Park at Capistar, did an amazing thing and connected me with someone who's going to be absolutely phenomenal. I got to meet Steve Leonard on the telephone a few weeks later – Steve is president and CEO of American Truck & Bus Inc. in Annapolis, Md., and also teaches busi- ness at University of Maryland. He's going to come to Forum and talk to us about getting more profitable results in our distribution companies, and he's a guy who walks the talk. I know you will take a boatload of application home after hearing and later visiting with Steve. Clearly I could go on and on. Bottom line, please don't miss Executive Forum – put yourself in serendipity's path and watch for the "ah-ha's" to light up your mind. But, tempting as it may be, just don't start to cry. Thanks for reading. My Serendipity Is Good Fortune For You Come and see the future of our industry – and expect the unexpected. Editor's Note KIM PHELAN (kphelan@aednet.org) is the executive editor of Construction Equipment Distribution and director of programs for AED.