FEDA NEWS & VIEWS
THE CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
Embracing Action to Better Our Industry
Creating meaningful change requires leaders to look beyond their own agendas.
We recently had a series of rough storms come through Kalamazoo, Michigan, that toppled over a tree and crushed our metal fence. When something like that happens, it’s easy to gripe. Griping takes no effort but it’s also never fixed
anything. So, I went out there, pulled the fence up and bent it back into shape.
The same holds true in business. If we see something is broken, it’s our responsibility to fix it. It’s an important time right now in our industry and nation for people to step up and get involved – whether that’s voting in the upcoming election, speaking up on local issues or contributing to industry groups like FEDA. There’s too much going on and too much at stake to sit back and be stagnant.
My time on the FEDA board — including the last two years as chairman — has shown me what’s possible when business leaders are invested and engaged. FEDA CEO Tracy Mulqueen has been pushing us forward with meaningful projects like the FEDA Data Portal and creating two groups to tackle industry challenges, the Future of Distribution Council and the Small Dealers Council. These councils have been meeting for the past year and our discussions have graduated from the initial phase into more meaty presentations from experts on
“The people sitting on those councils understand they are not there to further their own agendas, rather they are working toward the
betterment of the entire industry.”
critical topics like integrated supply chains, emerging technology and the impacts of federal regulations. What’s great about these councils is that they get us out of our day-to-day trials and tribulations and give us a chance to step back and look at the industry with an eye on our future — something all of us owners and business leaders should strive to do more often. The people sitting on those councils understand they are not there to further their own agendas, rather they are working toward the betterment of the entire industry. I hope that the younger generation coming up in the industry now follows their example. The salespeople, team managers and directors that are moving up in their companies today will be the ones making the decisions and shaping the industry in 10 years. Getting involved with FEDA now — either by volunteering or participating in FEDA programs — will prepare them for those leadership roles and help them understand the full scope of the industry.
Being an active part of an association
is rewarding work. As I reach the end of my term, I couldn’t be prouder to turn the board chairmanship over to Marc Tell, CEO of the Sam Tell Companies. I’m
confident he, the board and the FEDA staff will continue to build on the association’s great work over the last few years and do a fabulous job at strengthening our industry.
Dave Stafford is the president and CEO of Stafford- Smith and chairman of FEDA’s Board of Directors.
4 FEDA News & Views
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