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Hail To MHEDA’s New Chief!The first job I ever had was delivering newspapers, which taught me that if the customer doesn't pay, I don't get paid. As you can imagine, that left quite the impression on a kid working for quarters. After graduating from high school in Omaha, Nebraska, I headed to Princeton University. I started taking courses in engineering, but eventually I graduated from a program in politics and economics. No day is “typical” anymore because of the amount of traveling I do. But I try to get up early and exercise—not too much though; it hurts too much. For the most part, my day is full of strategic planning. I delegate much of the operational side of the business to a great crew of managers. The most exciting part of the business is still the deal. I get a big kick when our team identifies the customers' issues and creates a strategy that we know will address them—and then wins the deal. When hiring, I look for attitude and aptitude. I want employees with attitudes consistent with our culture. They truly have to want to serve. With that, they also need an aptitude to learn and a sense of curiosity driving them to get better. If we hit those two together, then we can create a development plan with a curriculum to help develop specific skills and knowledge. Growing up, I was always involved in athletics. I wanted to be a football player, and to be honest, I still do. Unfortunately my body won't allow that any longer. I love college sports, especially Nebraska Cornhusker football, Creighton basketball and the University of Nebraska-Omaha wrestling, hockey and volleyball. It's fun to see anybody perform at the top of their game. College athletes have infectious enthusiasm. I always come away feeling good, no matter what happens. I spend my free time with my wife Rozanne, who I met 20 years ago on a blind date and have been with ever since. We have a chocolate Lab, and we love biking and hiking. We have a place in Colorado where we enjoy spending time. I also enjoy golfing. Two things are always with me: my wedding ring, which never comes off, and cash, because you never know when you'll need it. I have several collections, including one of forklift toys. My favorite is a 50-year-old stainless steel skid loader. I also have a nice wine collection and a selection of antique wine openers. It's fun to see how people came up with creative ways to pull a cork out of a bottle. My favorite one uses a motion similar to that of a scissor lift—creating a leverage effect as you tighten it down. I like to read. I recently finished Joe Calloway's Becoming a Category of One, which talks about how to create your own brand and separate yourself from the pack. I also enjoy James Rollins thrillers. Companies should join MHEDA to survive and grow. MHEDA helps polish and sharpen the edges for a company. MHEDA is not just a convention or social group; it really is a development tool that people need to see as a good use of that most valuable of commodities, their time. My first priority as MHEDA President is ensuring that the association touches as many people in as many firms as possible. Our industry is somewhat invisible, and sometimes we get a feeling of inferiority compared to some more glamorous occupations. It is critical to get the word to everybody and convince them that what MHEDA has to offer is a valuable use of their time. I believe that people don't change much from age 25 to 75. There are just a lot of old bodies with young minds in them. Don't be afraid to interact with the youngsters—respect them and help them. If you have something to offer, it will be recognized and appreciated. Just make sure you offer it! If I wasn't in the material handling industry, I would be helping people with personal development, be it in business or in some other area. At this stage in my life, I've had some success and I want to help others achieve that same success in both their home and business lives. |
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