I have always been very vocal about the importance of the contributions that our volunteers have made as
part of our committees as well as our board of directors. Sometimes, these contributions are so
unexpected and, in this particular case, a perfect example of how important it is for associations like ours
to look beyond the obvious when it comes to what we can expect from our volunteers.
Every two years AWFS® rotates it Executive committee and as part of that rotation, the president
becomes incoming past president and the vice-president moves up to the president’s position. Earlier this
year, we welcomed Philip Marin from Hafele America, as the AWFS® President for 2018 and 2019. At
the same time, Archie Thompson, from Spectrum Adhesives, now becomes the Immediate Past President
for the same term.
Archie and I both joined the Association as volunteers back in 2000. We have seen some amazing growth
during that time and also experienced some of the greatest challenges this industry has ever seen as a
result of the housing crisis and the damage that it caused throughout our economic system. As Archie
hands over the reins to Philip, I can’t help to think of everything that we’ve experienced together
throughout that time period. However, one moment that I will never forget was when the board was
discussing ways to expand our New Product awards which included redesigning the actual award itself.
During that discussion, Archie turned to me and handed me a sketch drawing of a trophy. The drawing
totally caught me off-guard yet it impressed me so much, it later became the initial design of our
Visionary New Product award which we introduced at our 2013 show during the award ceremony.
You see, besides being an industry expert, Archie is also a talented artist, which combined with his
knowledge and experience with our Association enabled him to capture the true essence of what the
Visionary award represents to AWFS as well as to the winners of the award themselves. This was a
wonderful contribution that I would have never expected when I became a staff member back in 2003,
and one that will have a lasting effect long after Archie is no longer an active volunteer with our
Association.
So as I thank Archie for his continuing support and leadership, I also thought that he would make a great
example of the importance of volunteers and how they can contribute in ways one would never expect.
We as association staff members not only owe our volunteers our gratitude but also owe them openness to
the ideas and talents that these valuable individuals have to offer our organizations and our industry.
Sincerely,
Angelo Gangone
Executive Vice President, AWFS®