By Adam Keane, NTEA President
Executive Vice-President, Allied Body Works Inc. (Seattle, Washington)
This article was published in the August 2017 edition of NTEA News
Every once in a while, I stop to reflect on my NTEA Board service and remember my motivation — to make a positive difference in an industry that has meant so much to me and my family for 70 years (my great-grandfather founded Allied Body Works Inc. in 1947). Taking the time to recall this aspiration helps keep me grounded. I joined NTEA’s Board of Trustees in 2010, and it has been rewarding — to say the least. My term as Association president is passing quickly and will come to a close before long, but this experience has been an incredible journey I will never forget.
In the late August/early September timeframe, each NTEA member company will get a form to nominate candidates for the 2018–2019 Board of Trustees. There will be openings for one Manufacturer Trustee and as many as three Distributor Trustees — contingent on the results of the Executive Committee election held at the Fall Board Meeting in November.
The candidate nomination process is important. Ultimately, the selected individuals influence NTEA’s path forward and represent member values. Board service entails steering the Association toward its vision, defining its strategic course, overseeing initiatives to reach established goals and providing input — always acting in the best interest of the membership.
You may be thinking of an industry colleague who would be a great fit for NTEA’s Board, or you might even want to get involved yourself. Whatever the case, I can attest it’s a worthwhile engagement and an excellent way to give back. Though the Trustee position is an obligation that takes time away from an already-busy schedule, it provides a unique opportunity for significant personal and professional growth. I’ve gained lifelong friendships and invaluable insights related to the commercial vehicle community and business management in general. My role in NTEA leadership has been an extraordinary chapter in my career.
Engage the process
If you’d like to make a recommendation, keep in mind, candidates must be a chief executive officer or chief operating officer (or a partner or owner, for entities organized as partnerships or proprietorships) of a Distributor or Manufacturer member company. These credentials for prospective Trustees are designed to ensure qualified candidates as the Board is responsible for making weighty decisions that have long-term implications.
The Nominating Committee (active Board members) reviews submitted recommendations, validating eligible candidates for each vacancy and creating an election ballot. Official voting will occur online, with the election opening in December 2017. Newly elected Trustees serve three-year terms and will be formally introduced to the membership in March during the President’s Breakfast at The Work Truck Show® 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Feedback from members is vital to shaping NTEA’s Board. When your nomination form arrives, I encourage you to take action; reach out to any potential candidates you think would excel in this position. Your perspective matters, and we greatly appreciate your contributions.
You’re welcome to contact me (adam@alliedbody.com) if you have any questions about the nomination process or the upcoming election. Steve Carey, NTEA executive director, is another great resource who’s able to field any inquiries (248-479-8912 or steve@ntea.com).
Visit ntea.com/board to view current Trustees and Association committees.