I want to take this opportunity to thank you for allowing me to serve as your next president of the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry. I have to also thank the Cranes for standing behind me while I take on this challenge, and my family who has always been there to support me and the things I have tried to do.
When I accepted this position, I was told that it would be the “fastest four years of my life,” and that has been true. As I was preparing for the AWCI convention in Long Beach, Calif., a few months ago, I began to think of all the things that have taken place since the first convention some 20-plus years ago that Jimmy and Hilda Crane took my wife Marilyn and me to. I remember my first board meeting as a guest. I heard great ideas from board members that sadly went by the wayside because of a lack of funds. At the end of each meeting they passed the hat to collect enough money to continue until the next meeting. I wondered why they spent so much time and money just to stay afloat.
It didn’t take long to see that’s what makes a good association great. With the commitment those board members made, we were able to join various committees and tech meeting groups and learn from their successes. With strong leadership from these members and our executive vice president plus a great staff, I feel that we have become the best association representing the wall and ceiling contractor in the country.
If you become involved with AWCI by attending our spring annual convention, Intex Expo or the Industry Executives’ Conference & Committee Week in the fall, or by sending your young managers to our Academy in the winter, you will find there is always something that you can take back to your business to help it grow.
Marilyn and I look forward to this next year and the opportunity to meet you at our fall Industry Executives’ Conference & Committee Week in Colorado Springs, Oct. 24–29. In addition to our industry and technical committee meetings, we will offer general sessions on the topics of immigration laws affecting our industry, and information on managing your financial assets. Don’t miss it!
