Members on the move, association programs, products and services
WEDA Elects New Board President
Kevin Pawlowski
The Western Equipment Dealers Association has announced Kevin Pawlowski as the president of its board of directors.
Pawlowski has 30 years of industry experience. He previously worked as a field representative for CNH Capital (formerly Case Credit) and later moved to Farmers Equipment Company, a two-store Case IH dealership in northwestern Washington state where he now serves as the company’s president and general manager.
Before joining WEDA as a board member in 2015, Pawlowski was on the board of the former Pacific Northwest Association, which merged with WEDA.
John Schmeiser, CEO of WEDA, says Pawlowski’s extensive leadership experience will prove to be beneficial to the organization and industry. “Over three decades, Kevin has built an impressive track record of strategic, operational and commercial accomplishments.”
Pawlowski began his term as president of the 10-member board July 1. He succeeds Wally Butler, president, Mazergroup, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Dealer Institute announces fall and winter course schedule
Here is a look at the upcoming schedule of courses presented and facilitated by WEDA’s Dealer Institute.
Parts Counter Sales Training
October 10, 2019 – Twin Falls, Idaho
October 17, 2019 – Austin, Texas
February 20, 2020 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
February 25, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta
February 27, 2020 – Edmonton, Alberta
Service Counter Sales Training
October 8, 2019 – Kennewick, Washington
October 15, 2019 – Lubbock, Texas
January 14, 2020 – Austin, Texas
January 16, 2020 – Kansas City, Missouri
March 17, 2020 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
March 19, 2020 – Regina, Saskatchewan
Financials 101
November 12, 2019 – Lubbock, Texas
February 18, 2020 – Regina, Saskatchewan
Psychology of Peak Performance
February 11, 2020 – Austin, Texas
Iron Management (*first module of two)
October 22-23, 2019 – Denver, Colorado
* additional module dates will be announced later
Aftermarket Management (*first module of three)
November 5-6, 2019 – Kansas City, Missouri
* additional module dates will be announced later
Register online at www.dealerinstitute.org. For more information, call 800-762-5616.
The new, the fairly new and the not new at all
Dealers will see some new faces in the field at future Dealer Institute events. Erin Dueck rejoins the association as project administrator. Dueck spent three years with the association prior to relocating for her husband’s work in 2015. She will assist Jan Williams, senior program manager, with all projects related to DI.
Mark Eckles is the newest face in the crowd. Mark has been in the equipment industry for 25+ years. Eckles’ previous employers were involved in retail and wholesale financing, which included working with the association, its members and other dealer associations throughout the U.S. on finance solutions and programs. He joins the Dealer Institute as dealer development manager.
Jan Williams has been with the Dealer Institute for nearly two years. Williams serves as senior program manager. She works with DI staff on various projects. She ensures that dealerships involved in training receive excellent customer service prior to attending a course and meeting their expectations. She also works with DI trainers in setting up meetings and providing dealers and attendees with information about what to expect during training.
Michael Piercy is a familiar face with a new title, vice president of dealer development. Piercy joined the association in 2015 and has served the Dealer Institute as dealer development manager and most recently as director of business development.
Planning Tool Helps Guide Disaster Preparation and Recovery Strategies
The skies are clear. The river is at its normal level. Authorities are reporting a low risk of wildfire. Fault lines have been quiet. It’s tempting to operate your business as if these will always be the case. But what will you do when disaster strikes? Ask any business owner who has been through a disaster – thorough preparation makes all the difference.
When you experience a catastrophe, the trauma and stress make it difficult, if not impossible, to think clearly enough to begin setting things right. And unless you’ve collected all the documents and information you need for operational continuity, you’ll have a hard time getting things moving again.
Federated Mutual Insurance Company® offers the resources you need to prepare your business for a disaster with the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) Open for Business-EZ® program. The program, available online or in print, guides business owners through the process of developing a plan to help keep a business profitable after a disaster.
The toolkit contains documents to record information about the major areas of y our business, including basic operations, equipment, employees, customers, suppliers, vendors, finances, and information technology. It also helps you record and assess your risk for a variety of natural and man-made disasters, and test your plan for reaction and recovery. To access the toolkit, visit the IBHS website, or log on to Federated’s Shield Network and click on “IBHS – Disaster Planning.”
The IBHS website also offers a tool that helps users identify threats specific to their geographic region, helping to focus preparedness efforts. It also provides information on best practices, including assessments, guides, and checklists to help prepare for these perils:
- Earthquakes
- Floods
- Freezing weather
- Hail
- High winds
- Hurricanes
- Tornadoes
- Wildfire
The site, www.disastersafety.org, is also great for employees of the business to learn how to prepare for disasters. A business cannot recover unless they have employees that can help and employees can’t help the business until they have their own personal situation under control.
For more information on OFB-EZ® and the library of other risk management resources Federated Insurance® offers, contact your local Federated marketing representative.
Editor’s note: Dealership and industry providers that would like to share information about their dealerships and industry related businesses are encouraged to send news releases to Joanne Olson, managing editor, at jolson@westerneda.com.
