Derek Smith asked me to write a “farewell” article, as the baton of Distributor of the Year is now passed to a new recipient. (Note to Derek: Do not use the word “farewell” when addressing people over 60).
This was a great year for me in spite of the economic problems that we all faced. Sharing the Distributor of the Year award with fellow workers, partners and family was a thrill. As Mike Betts, the new Distributor of the Year must know already, the thrill does not go away. Receiving recognition from your peers is a special honor that continues long after the applause is over.
If that was all that happened, it would be enough, but thankfully, there is more. Being the 2009 HDAW [Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week] co-chair with Joe McAleese was the most fun I have ever had, and rewarded me with a great sense of accomplishment. I worked with some of the finest people I have ever met. And, because of their efforts, the event was a great success.
I also accomplished one of my childhood fantasies: I told a joke before a large group and they actually laughed! I now can check that one off the list.
There were many highlights of HDAW ’09. One highlight for me was the Heavy Duty Aftermarket Legends Golf Tournament. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to see and welcome back some of the industry icons. Hearing the stories of past people and events was captivating. The three co-chairs of this event – Dave Engstrom, Bob Phillips and Edward Kuo – deserve a lot of credit for organizing this event.
I was also very moved by the wonderful tribute that Jim Burke delivered after receiving the award that placed his father, Jim Burke, into the HD Industry Hall of Fame. Jim Burke was a great member of our industry and his son really captured that in his speech.
I was also privileged to participate and contribute to CVSN [Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network] as we grow the association and increase its benefits to its members. I look forward to the new Aftermarket Distribution Summit, which will be on Amelia Island September 12-16, 2009, and will combine the CVSN fall meeting with Truck Parts & Service magazine’s Truck Parts Seminar and the HDX Technology Conference. Consolidating these three events will enable distributors and suppliers to realize greater benefits and produce more takeaways than in previous years.
But, in spite of the fact that this is my “farewell” article, I am not going away. This past year, and the wonderful opportunities it has given me, has only ignited a fire in me to do even more. As Jim said about his dad, “he had passion and love for this industry.” Jim was a mentor of mine and I now have that same passion and love for the same industry. There is much more work to be done.
First, we need to come together as an industry. Although each of the industry associations has a different focus, there are more things common about us than uncommon. We had better find ways to be more aligned in areas that affect our future and the future health of our industry.
We need to find a way to have a strong voice which will clearly represent our views and address the challenges that threaten to make us disappear.
Combating issues like access to information, vertical integration by vehicle manufacturers that could starve our sources of parts, card check labor laws, lack of alternative succession plans and many others must be addressed with a strong common voice. In addition, we need a better solution to getting national fleet business or lose it to OEs or national distributors.
There are many things to do. My voice for our industry will continue.
