Retiring AFMA leader Brackett will be missed
By Jerry Epperson -- Furniture Today, December 3, 2001
There must be a special place in heaven for association folks. Imagine having the responsibility for representing our industry on legislative issues and governmental regulations, gathering important data on which everyone's decisions are made, forecasting the economy and our industry's future, and advising the industry on financial issues, standards, human resources, marketing, transportation, logistics, professional development and other elements important to business today.
Most of those efforts benefit our entire industry, even though some companies refuse to join the associations — something I will never understand. No company in our industry has the internal talent to cover all these important elements on its own.
Our associations benefit and complement each other, for the most part, trying to educate consumers and help our industry keep up to date on how to reach those consumers.
But consider what it takes to be an association executive. Every year you have a new leader, and the personalities and management styles can vary greatly. Believe it or not, some furniture executives have strong egos, which associations must deal with.
Of course, as an association executive, you have to be nice to everyone. Can you imagine? That's where they would lose me. And please remember, few people get wealthy doing association work, although many deserve to do so.
In my experience, most association folks have almost a religious calling to help the industry through the never-ending changes and challenges.
With my thanks and recognition to all the associations we work with, I want to make special mention of an extremely special individual, Douglas L. Brackett, executive vice president of the American Furniture Manufacturers Assn.
Doug has announced his retirement at the end of this year, and I already miss him.
In my 30-plus years in the industry, Doug has always been there to help and offer his best counsel. He has a way of looking at all the perspectives before he opines on any issue. And he has the industry's best interests in mind. Always.
He and I can discuss anything in strictest confidence, and believe me, he knows the details of all the issues our industry faces. He knows what works and what doesn't, and has helped me avoid taking on insurmountable challenges more than once. Sometimes it helps to know what not to do.
As you would expect of Doug, he leaves the association with its best staff ever, with a blend of youth and experience and under talented leadership.
I know that I cannot thank Doug adequately for what he has meant to me, but I hope our industry will try in the coming weeks.
Thank you, Doug, from us all.
