An Honor to Serve as AMD President
By Dan Barber, VP Finance & Administration of Barnett Millworks, Inc.
And AMD President

As we begin this New Year, our Association begins its forty-eighth year. I find myself overwhelmed that I may have really gotten myself into a mess. For some reason the members of this great Association have elected me as its President. Now, don’t take me wrong. I am truly honored and consider it a great privilege to serve the members of AMD as this year’s President. I will do my best to represent you and our Association. It is when I look back at those who have served before me, I see the legends who helped shape an entire industry. They built a very stable and strong Association that I am truly awed by and wonder how this happened. This occurred to me last month, when I was at the Association office as I stopped to view a wall with portraits of all the past presidents – what an inspiring and intimidating display.

Viewing that display and being somewhat overwhelmed, my mind traveled back to remembering my father.  My father, the tenth of fifteen siblings, telling me never to let circumstances overcome me; to just do the best I could, work hard, be honest and trust in God and my fellow man. He started life a son of a truck farmer and finished as a successful small business owner. So I will undertake this year remembering his advice.

I need to pause here and thank the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, the working Committees and the Association staff whom I have the joy to work with and of course to thank our Chief Executive Officer, Rosalie Leone. We could not have a more diligent and focused CEO who provides the leadership and guidance we as an Association need to keep us on task to accomplish our goals and strategic plan, which has allowed us to be a survivor organization.

As I look backed through the good times and the not so good times I see an organization, AMD, which has always provided benefits and value to its members. Our mission statement says it quite well, “AMD provides leadership, certification, education, promotion, networking and advocacy to and for, the millwork distribution industry."

I am particularly encouraged that as we begin this journey together we have an excellent resource in our Association that will assist us as we lead our businesses and our industry out of these difficult times. We have been most fortunate in the past to have had excellent leaders and members who have been willing to participate and contribute to the good of us all, sometimes at their personal expense.

I exhort all of you to volunteer and help in the ways you can. AMD is not just about an annual convention and what you can get out of it but one that needs your ideas, help and support year-round. If you want to be a vital part, the very best way is to join one of our active committees. Search the AMD website, www.amdweb.com, and find your place to serve and volunteer. If you need help just contact the Association, or myself, and let us help you get connected. The more you contribute to AMD the more opportunities you will discover that can benefit you and your business.

AMD has been refined by the fire of this economy. It’s not the size it was once was, but as refining any precious metal brings purity and quality to the top so has the process benefited AMD. The value from all the initiatives and resources provided by AMD are greater now than ever. If you are not a member of AMD, you cannot reap the benefits and value of this terrific association.

It is an honor for me to serve as your President for 2012. I do not take that responsibility lightly. Please join with me to make this a successful year for us all. If there is anything I can assist you with, please let me know.

I encourage you to stand with AMD, your Association, and together let’s make 2012 a banner year. I look forward to seeing all of you at the Education Seminar and Barnett Millworks Plant Tour in April and the next Annual Convention and Tradeshow in October.