O&MM Fabricator - March/April 2018 - 9
PRESIDENT'SLETTER Honoring Our Past and Looking to the Future MAX HAINS stating that I am honored and proud to be NOMMA's 60th president. So much is coming together all at once! Of NOMMA's 60 years, MoFab has been a member for 50! Coincidentally, this year is not only NOMMA's 60th anniversary, but it's also MoFab's 60th anniversary. After coming to conventions for more than 40 years, next year's METALfab will be held for the first time in my home state of Indiana. I can't begin to tell you how humbled I am to be NOMMA's next president during this exciting time. I appreciate all the hard work from previous presidents to get us to where we are today. They knew, as we all know, we have to change with the times in order to survive and thrive. Lord knows it's not always the easiest path, but nothing worth having is easy! I can't tell you how much respect and appreciation I have for Cathy Vequist, our Immediate Past President. The time and effort she has donated to this organization over the years is remarkable. When my father was president in 1975, Leon York gave him a huge horse collar made into a trophy for all of his hard work and dedication. I wish we still had it, because I couldn't think of a more deserving person to pass it on to than Cathy for her devotion to NOMMA. So thank you, Cathy. When I first joined the board, I had big ideas for changes. Thank goodness I was on a board with like-minded people who had the talent LET ME START BY and made the time to make the positive changes we see today. And, the changes you see now are just the beginning. I am very fortunate to also have support from great people around me who allow me to volunteer my time and resources to NOMMA. I thank my two sons, Max and Mason, my nephew Tanner, and my girlfriend Cathy (not to be confused with immediate past president Cathy Vequist!), who have all been extremely supportive. Our main objective for this year is to build membership. It is the life blood of our organization. Thank you to those who have already made a commitment to be part of the membership drive to get at least one new member. If you have not committed to this big plan, I am asking that you please help us grow our membership. I'd like to challenge each of you to get at least one new or returning member this year - supplier or fabricator - we're not picky. Can I count on you for this? We also need volunteers to serve on committees. It doesn't have to be a long-term commitment for multiple years. I've talked to many members throughout the years who have said they would not have gotten where they are today if it wasn't for NOMMA. Maybe it's time to pay it forward. In the near future, we will have a place on our website for volunteers to sign up. Until then, please contact Liz, Meda or myself. We appreciate any help we can get. As I previously mentioned, for the first time ever, next year's METALfab will be held in Indianapolis. We will be co-locating again with our new friends from AFA, but new to 2019 will be the additional partnership with the International Door Association (IDA). I recently met their president and convention chair, and they are just great, down to earth people, and they are very excited to join us in Indy. They also have a great education program, so it won't matter if you're an AFA, IDA or NOMMA member; all classes will be available to everyone at next year's METALfab. To me, that is just incredible, and it follows our mission exactly! Lastly, as I mentioned, it's also our company's 60th anniversary. So we'll have our shop cleaned up and ready to host next year's shop tours, exhibitors, and demonstrations at our plant, which is just 30-40 minutes away from the convention center. And just in case anyone is questioning the selection of Indianapolis, it was set by Fusion a few years ago. I didn't manipulate or bribe anyone! I believe you'll all enjoy the location. Indianapolis is a nice, clean city with nightlife and restaurants nearby. If the dates coincide with Spring Break, bring your family. There is something for everyone here. In closing, I will do my best to honor the presidents before me and leave the organization stronger for those who follow. March/April 2018 * O&MM Fabricator | 9
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