Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/999236
6 FEDA News & Views Chairman's Message A s I was thumbing through a few older issues of News & Views, I began to think about the opportunity to serve, my new role as chairman, and my years of involvement in FEDA. It was a bit overwhelming to think about the friendships I've made, people who've mentored me—chief among them my dad, Jerry—and the number of experiences that have shaped me. I have a bachelor's and master's degree in Business Administration but there is little doubt that I've learned more about running a dealership through my involvement with FEDA and its members. ere is no telling how many people have been through a "class" taught by an Ellingson or Gustafson, and I wish I had the notes from all the wisdom gleaned from conversations with Allan Keck over the years. I appreciate those who've gone before us and their willingness to share their experiences, insights, and wisdom with the next generation. Speaking of the next generation, it was exciting to see the quality and quantity of the young leaders within FEDA at the recent E&S Industry Summit. Some of them are pictured on this cover. When I attended FEDA 15 years ago, there was little to no leadership representation from the 40 and under crowd. Our newly-formed Young Industry Leaders Council wants to focus on giving young, talented individuals from our companies an opportunity to grow and be an infl uence within FEDA. My third-generation status has been advantageous in opening doors for me within the Association but there are many talented young professionals (not related to an owner) who are currently not involved in FEDA. We are missing out on an opportunity to engage a segment of the industry's population that can help move FEDA forward. To me, "Stronger Together" means tapping into our strengths to address concerns and opportunities within our industry, which includes mentoring the next generation, and supporting both large distributors and local dealers that have invested decades into developing a keen understanding of their customers' needs and their markets. Fred Singer, Jameel Burkett, Eric Ellingson—I've had conversations with almost everyone on the cover in recent months about topics related to running a successful dealership…evaluating a new ERP software, opening a new showroom, and setting up executive compensation plans. As our members share experiences and ideas together, we do become stronger and spur on one another. ere is plenty of change within the distribution industry and our supply channel—consolidation, digital disruption, shifts in generational leadership. How will our channel respond to the ever- increasing demands of the customer? Will we work together to address them? If we don't, someone will. In the July/August 2013 issue of FEDA News & Views, we celebrated our 80th year as an association. e caption on the front cover reads, "Strength rough Association– Celebrating the History, the Resilience, & the Spirit of the FEDA Dealer." In an article detailing the history of FEDA, the Association's founder, Sam Anoff , explained Our Strengths are Greater than Our Challenges Mason Greene CHAIRMAN, FEDA President, Hotel & Restaurant Supply mgreene@hnrsupply.com