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8 FEDA News & Views Association Highlights Hands Firmly on the Wheel…with an Eye Toward the Future 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. T hirty- three years ago I was 30 years old, still had had hair and was start- ing a new job at a place called the Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association. Time fl ies! If you've read Joe Schmitt's president's article, you already know that I have announced my retire- ment to the board, effective April 1, 2018. A year ago I was diagnosed with Parkinson's—in the very early stages and very slow progression. I'm thankful. It mainly makes me tired and a bit stiff. I am seeing a neurologist who is a special- ist in Parkinson's and I'm doing very well under her guidance, meds, nutrition and a unique physical therapy called "Think Big." Your FEDA Excom has been so very gracious to me and I am excited to fi nish my 35 years at FEDA with Joe Schmitt as your president over the next two years. Joe is a great guy with a big heart for FEDA and its members. He is going to take FEDA into an exciting new future. This next year I will be supporting the efforts of the FEDA Search/Transition Committee with an expected hire of my successor starting January 1, 2017. They will train with me through March 31, 2018, and I will serve as a consultant to FEDA through July 5, 2018, which will be my 35-year anniversary at FEDA. After that, we'll see what new adventure life has in store for me and my Julie. For now, all my energies are focused on achiev- ing Joe Schmitt's administration goals and on successfully helping to pass the baton on to my successor. You can be sure the next two years will also include more time with family. I've been married for 40 years to my best friend, I have two wonderful daughters, a wonderful 33-year career at FEDA and faith in a God who loves me. I have no complaints and feel so very blessed. So until March 31, 2018, you'll be able to fi nd me here in my offi ce at FEDA or as my family affectionately calls it, "The Feeder- a- shun." Now on to FEDA Business as Usual Hats off to the 2016 Convention Chair Jay Ringelheim and Assistant Chair Paul Parr for a terrifi c education program in Tucson! Attendees loved it! All the sessions were fi lled. Plan to be with us April 5 – 9, 2017, at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, San Antonio, Texas. Our convention will be led by Chair, Paul Parr of Hockenbergs and Assistant Chair Keith Kidwell of Central Restaurant Products. FEDA 2016 Profi t Survey…… It's Free! Knowing where you stand in the mar- ketplace is crucial to the success of any business. Conducted by the Profi t Planning Group (led by Dr. Albert bates), the FEDA Profi t Survey provides a sum- mary of the cost of doing business for participating fi rms, along with several management tools to help improve your bottom line. The Results are FREE to all FEDA members that participate. Look for your Profi t Survey forms in June. If you do not receive it, call me. Winning Ways "I noticed Ray looking at me after we fi rst met; he was sizing me up and thinking I can take this guy," joked Sugar Ray Leonard during his clos- ing presentation at the 2016 FEDA Convention.