Page 4 - 2018 Jan Feb CFESA Magazine

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

GARY POTVIN

What took us so long? the things you know for certain that just
ain’t so.” I use this quote a lot, and no place
has it been more fitting than in our industry.
For many years I’ve often wondered why
relationships within our industry were
Once we started to collaborate with one
sometimes very adversarial. My first job in
another, we found that we had more in
the foodservice equipment industry was
common than we had differences. When
working as a service tech for a dealer. It
working together, all the boats rise with
was there that I decided to start my own
the tide, small boats, big boats, cruisers,
company focused entirely on service. I
fishing boats, and tugboats. Working with
joined CFESA and learned the dos and
the executive directors, presidents and vice
don’ts of how to become a great service
presidents of the five families have brought
company. I would say 90% of the knowledge
a better understanding of one another and
shared was spot on, but some of the
provided a path for better communication
information about how we communicate
among us which eventually leads to better
with others in our industry was not accurate,
profits for all. We now have insight into
at least in my neck of the woods.
the other sectors’ problems and how we
accidentally caused some.
I decided very early on that our
company would benefit from making
The upcoming joint conference in California
strong relationships with dealers, reps,
is a new beginning in our industry to
manufacturers, and consultants. It paid
eliminate misconceptions and promote a
huge dividends rather quickly. I now found
better understanding of all our different
myself in a different mindset than some of
gifts. I know that up here in the northeast
my colleagues. Some areas of the country
our company would struggle without the
had the same experience that we had, but
help of my dealers, reps, manufacturers, and
others seemed less willing to collaborate. I
consultants. Solving problems together has
attributed this to misconception and poor
become standard practice. I look forward to
communication.
seeing all of you and recommend that you
take the time to seek out people from the
One of my favorite quotes is from the late
other industries, the rewards for doing so
Mark Twain which says, “It’s not the things
will be beneficial to all.
you don’t know that gets you in trouble, it’s

4 CFESA Magazine | JAN / FEB 2018 | www.cfesa.com