Page 8 - 13633 LBMAO Reporter EP1
P. 8
Message from the PRESIDENT
Goodbye don,
it's been good to know you
david campbell Over the years I have developed many
friendships with peers as well as
competitors; and would suggest that although
LBMAO President the home improvement industry is a huge
contributor to the national GDP, it is still a small
industry in that relationships are a big part of
how we do business with each other.
When I started at the LBMAO in 2002, I came
from the distribution/retail side of the business
and had no experience with trade associations.
I was aware that there were 5 associations,
operating with the same model as not-for-profit
trade associations, providing services to the
independent home improvement retailers across
Canada.
"I was really Soon after starting at the LBMAO,
I received a call from Don Sherwood,
impressed President of the Atlantic Building their son and daughter-in-law. The presidents
by the Supply Dealers Association (ABSDA), of the 5 Associations have a great working
based in Moncton. Don had taken relationship and we converse regularly - either
at conferences with our Chairs in attendance
"down east" over the ABSDA a few years before or via teleconferencing. Don was instrumental
friendship and had been a driving force to in ensuring that the lines of communication
ensure the association was meeting were always open between him and the other
presidents. He was a strong and forceful
extended to its mandate to provide services and advocate representing the Atlantic association.
me by Don." support for their members.
After 17 years at the helm of the ABSDA, Don
I remember the conversation well made the decision to retire at the age of 70, with
the show in February 2015 being his “swan song”.
and I was really impressed by the Tragically, on December 9th, Don suffered a heart
attack and passed away. He will be missed by his
“down east” friendship extended family, employees, ABSDA members and most
certainly by Thomas (BSIA of BC), Gary (WRLA),
to me by Don. He personally invited me to Richard (AQMAT) and I. He was a true friend,
one of those people you meet over your lifetime
attend their show in March of 2003 and, after a that leaves a lasting impact due to their ability
to make you feel comfortable. Our sincerest
conversation that was open, helpful and friendly, condolences on behalf of the LBMAO family go
out to Wesla and her family as well as to the
he finished with “well my son, we look forward to ABSDA employees and members. He was truly a
gentleman within this industry!
seeing you in March”, as could only be said by a
down easterner with a New Brunswick twang.
Of course, the LBMAO Chair and I, along with
our partners attended the ABSDA show in March
of 2003. When we arrived in Moncton, we were
dutifully picked up by Don’s wife Wesla, who was
a “non-paid employee" of the ABSDA (her words,
not mine) and they showed us a wonderful time.
The hospitality extended to us made us feel that
we were part of their family.
Since those early days, Don and Wesla have
become wonderful friends of Chris and I; we have
met them on several occasions at shows and for
dinner when they have been in Ontario to visit
8 LBMAO Reporter - January-February 2015 www.lbmao.on.ca
Goodbye don,
it's been good to know you
david campbell Over the years I have developed many
friendships with peers as well as
competitors; and would suggest that although
LBMAO President the home improvement industry is a huge
contributor to the national GDP, it is still a small
industry in that relationships are a big part of
how we do business with each other.
When I started at the LBMAO in 2002, I came
from the distribution/retail side of the business
and had no experience with trade associations.
I was aware that there were 5 associations,
operating with the same model as not-for-profit
trade associations, providing services to the
independent home improvement retailers across
Canada.
"I was really Soon after starting at the LBMAO,
I received a call from Don Sherwood,
impressed President of the Atlantic Building their son and daughter-in-law. The presidents
by the Supply Dealers Association (ABSDA), of the 5 Associations have a great working
based in Moncton. Don had taken relationship and we converse regularly - either
at conferences with our Chairs in attendance
"down east" over the ABSDA a few years before or via teleconferencing. Don was instrumental
friendship and had been a driving force to in ensuring that the lines of communication
ensure the association was meeting were always open between him and the other
presidents. He was a strong and forceful
extended to its mandate to provide services and advocate representing the Atlantic association.
me by Don." support for their members.
After 17 years at the helm of the ABSDA, Don
I remember the conversation well made the decision to retire at the age of 70, with
the show in February 2015 being his “swan song”.
and I was really impressed by the Tragically, on December 9th, Don suffered a heart
attack and passed away. He will be missed by his
“down east” friendship extended family, employees, ABSDA members and most
certainly by Thomas (BSIA of BC), Gary (WRLA),
to me by Don. He personally invited me to Richard (AQMAT) and I. He was a true friend,
one of those people you meet over your lifetime
attend their show in March of 2003 and, after a that leaves a lasting impact due to their ability
to make you feel comfortable. Our sincerest
conversation that was open, helpful and friendly, condolences on behalf of the LBMAO family go
out to Wesla and her family as well as to the
he finished with “well my son, we look forward to ABSDA employees and members. He was truly a
gentleman within this industry!
seeing you in March”, as could only be said by a
down easterner with a New Brunswick twang.
Of course, the LBMAO Chair and I, along with
our partners attended the ABSDA show in March
of 2003. When we arrived in Moncton, we were
dutifully picked up by Don’s wife Wesla, who was
a “non-paid employee" of the ABSDA (her words,
not mine) and they showed us a wonderful time.
The hospitality extended to us made us feel that
we were part of their family.
Since those early days, Don and Wesla have
become wonderful friends of Chris and I; we have
met them on several occasions at shows and for
dinner when they have been in Ontario to visit
8 LBMAO Reporter - January-February 2015 www.lbmao.on.ca
