The
topic was simple: There’s a difference between each one of the four
generations in the marketplace today, and we need to be aware of the
characteristics of each of those generations as we conduct business. The
presentation itself focused on how to sell to each of those
generations, but the principles can be applied to how we interact with
our employees, our co-workers, our suppliers and those people we
interact with in our personal lives.

The MRAA is undergoing a
generational shift as I type. Many of you know that I’m the new guy on
the block, a Gen Xer who has all of about 50 days under my belt as
president of this association. My predecessor in this role, Mr. Phil
Keeter, has about 22 years and 11 months on me in this role and his
50-plus years of marine industry experience dwarfs my 15 years.

Both
of our vantage points add value to building your MRAA of the future
however. I may bring a new outlook on technology and some new ways to
operate the association. But the wisdom, built through experience and
offered by Mr. Keeter, has proven more valuable to me than I could ever
explain. I’ll go to him with an idea, and he’ll offer historical
perspectives, thoughts to consider, potential potholes to watch out for,
and then he simply suggests that I take that backdrop and run with the
decision I’d like to make. What a fabulous mentor he has become for me.

Mr.
Keeter and the MRAA board of directors have also created a Young
Leaders Advisory Committee, a group of Gen Xers and Millenials that have
been given the opportunity to breathe next-generation thinking into a
strengthening organization. The board and the YLAC group work together
on committees, blending their wisdom, experiences, insights and energies
to help build a stronger MRAA.

It’s this type of collaboration
that I believe will fuel our growth as an association and strengthen our
voice as a dealer community in the days ahead. And that has me
energized.