Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/540646
8 FEDA News & Views Association Highlights A Gracious Giving Nature from our Volunteers Ray Herrick Executive Vice President ray@feda.com Need more information on how FEDA can help you? Contact me by phone at 800-677-9605 or by email. I n this world, there are people who are gracious givers by nature. As an Association, we are fortunate that the 2015 Convention was overflowing with plenty of gracious volunteer "Givers" from the ranks of our 362 attendees. Consider the following: The new FEDA Data Interchange, pow- ered by AutoQuotes, is set to improve channel communications dramatically! It has been fueled by the energy and tireless work of FEDA President Brad Pierce, NAFEM President Mike Whiteley and by Michael Greenwald and Kent Motes of AutoQuotes. All are enthusi- astic industry Givers with a vision of a much stronger and more efficient chan- nel of distribution, which cuts costs and raises margins. FEDA's convention chair and assis- tant chair, Carl Gustafson of Ace Mart Restaurant Supply and Jay Ringelheim of Globe Equipment Co., have been very generous with their time. When Paul Parr became ill, Carl volunteered to step in and chair the 2015 Convention. (FYI: Paul Parr was at the convention—recov- ered from surgery and feeling terrific. He will be the assistant chair in 2016 to Jay, who sits on the FEDA ExCom.) Jay's company, Globe, has been a serving FEDA member since 1952. His brother Paul served on the Executive Committee and his son, Brian, was a part of the Members' Breakfast Panel on e-commerce and a roundtable leader. It's nice to see the tradition of giving has been passed on from one generation to the next. In the spirit of giving back, Lori Pierce hosted a memorable Spouses Program with a charitable slant. This year, FEDA spouses created pieces of art and murals for placement in a local Native American children's hospital. A representative from the hospital was very appreciative of the ladies work and they were just as grate- ful for the opportunity to give. And how about all these people who led our roundtable and panel discus- sions: Gawain Guy Keith Kidwell Andrew O'Quinn Teri Brewer Dennis Park Gary Simpson Brad Pierce Mike Whiteley Brad Wasserstrom Brian Ringelheim Carl Gustafson Jameel Burkett Art Manni David Ellingson Patty Nuzzo Jonathan Gustafson Kevin Brink Charlie Fusari Hal Schroeder Then there are the sports activities, with golf led by Betsy Ellingson, Eric Ellingson and Rick Ellingson, repre- senting a long family history of service within FEDA. Carl Gustafson, again, led another fun tennis tournament this year. New friendships are forged and old ones strengthened at these events. And in the hallways, cocktail recep- tions, banquets and workshops were the sounds of friendly banter and laughter. The gracious "Giving" nature of the FEDA Convention attendee is the heart and soul of the FEDA Convention. It's why people keep coming back each year. So many attendees are willing to offer their helpful insights, advice, or just a listen to a fellow industry peer. All of these members and industry friends are "Givers" in my book. That's why we always say, "It's the people you meet and the relationships you build that make the FEDA Convention special." The 2015 meeting was no exception! Painting for a Cause FEDA spouses roll up their sleeves to cre- ate murals for a local Native American chil- dren's hospital.