 Krause was installed as the association’s president in April at the organization’s national convention in Tucson, Ariz. He succeeds Craig Ward, who remains on the board as its immediate past president.
“It is both an honor and a privilege being selected as the next MDNA president,” Krause told MDNA members in Tucson. “I look forward to building upon the strong foundation that was established back in 1941, while both honoring tradition and embracing our ever-changing industry.” Krause is in sales with FH Machinery, Inc., of Ivyland, Pa. The company specializes in equipment for the fastener industry and the wire forming and processing industry. He is a native of Philadelphia who graduated from Temple University’s Fox School of Business and joined FH Machinery in 2001. He began his rise through the MDNA leadership ranks a decade later. “At times we’re all competitors, but we’re also all friends,” Krause said of his MDNA colleagues. “This is hard work, but being with people you like and enjoy makes the job easy.” Serving with Krause and Ward in the MDNA board leadership for 2023-25 are Dan Wheeler, first vice president; John Taucher, treasurer; Troy Clark, second vice president; David DiBenedetto, Association of Machinery and Equipment Appraisers president; and Ryan Yoder, Locator Services president. Krause and his wife, Tracy, live with sons Eddie and Evan in his boyhood hometown of Croydon, Pa., a Philadelphia suburb. The Krauses are involved with their sons’ high school soccer team and Ed coaches their travel soccer squad. Eddie and Evan are both musicians, and he and his sons are — appropriately — fans of heavy-metal music. Krause also attends home games of the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles as a season-ticket holder. The MDNA was established to promote the used machinery industry and Krause is the organization’s 47th president. Today the MDNA represents nearly 400 machinery dealers, auctioneers, and appraisers worldwide.
0 Comments
 Andrew Kamashian Is New Southern Regional MDNA Chapter Chair
Alexandria, Va. – The Southern Regional Chapter of the Machinery Dealers National Association (MDNA) has elected Andrew “Andy” Kamashian, CEA, as its chairman for the 2023-2024 leadership cycle. As chair, Kamashian will work to advance collaboration among chapter members while leading advocacy efforts for the industry. He also will serve on the MDNA’s national board of directors, facilitating communications between the board and chapter membership. Joining Kamashian in the Southern Regional Chapter’s leadership ranks are:
“Serving in chapter leadership is an honor and a privilege,” said Mark Robinson, Executive Vice President of MDNA. “By electing Kamashian as chair and board representative, chapter members have acknowledged that he has what it takes to effectively lead and to represent fellow chapter members at the national level.” Kamashian is president of Lithia, Fla.-based Southern Fabricating Machinery Sales, Inc., a machinery dealer specializing in used fabrication equipment, plant auctions, appraisals and manufacturing consultation. The company also manages all types of industrial assets and has particular expertise in EDM machinery and waterjet cutting equipment. In his 30-year career, Kamashian has bought, sold and appraised equipment throughout North America. “Though I am the first generation of my family to be involved with the MDNA, I envision a long-term relationship with its many member companies that share a wealth of knowledge about manufacturing and machine tools,” Kamashian said. “There has always been a great deal of collaboration and enthusiasm among MDNA members, buying and selling and reaching out to share knowledge and resources. I want to further this type of partnership in the Southern Regional Chapter.” Kamashian believes that important benefits of MDNA membership include forming connections, partnerships and friendships. “These lead not only to shared knowledge and expertise,” he said, “but also to investing in equipment with fellow members and greater opportunities.” About MDNA: Recognizing the importance and growth of the used metalworking machinery and used capital equipment industry, the Machinery Dealers National Association (MDNA) has established itself for the purpose of furthering the lawful interests of the industry, promoting higher business standards and ethics, and conducting activities in a manner to improve the objectives of the industry. To learn more about the MDNA, please contact office@mdna.org.  Alexandria, Va. – The Detroit/Toledo Chapter of the Machinery Dealers National Association (MDNA) has elected a new chairman, Hamilton Cauffiel, for the 2023-2024 leadership cycle. As chair, Cauffiel will work to advance collaboration among chapter members and lead advocacy efforts for the industry.
Joining Cauffiel in the chapter’s leadership are the following:
“Serving in MDNA chapter leadership is honor and a privilege,” said Mark Robinson, Executive Vice President, MDNA. “In electing Cauffiel as chair, chapter members have acknowledged he has what it takes to effectively lead his fellow members. It is a privilege to represent fellow chapter members at the national level as well.” Cauffiel currently works as the Vice President of Business Development at Galaxie Corporation, a worldwide machinery dealer specializing in coil processing, rolling mills and tube, pipe and metal forming equipment. A longtime MDNA member, the company was one of the first used steel machinery firms in the U.S. to venture into the worldwide market, linking nearly all fifty states with more than three dozen countries on six continents. Throughout his career, Cauffiel has managed equipment sales in multiple countries, including the recent sale of a large seamless pipe plant to Mexico. Cauffiel has coordinated all stages of the process, from inspecting equipment, managing shipments and customs requirements, and even assisting in the installation at the new location. In his role as Chapter Chair, Cauffiel plans to focus on creating learning opportunities in addition to all the networking that takes place at chapter meetings. “I want people to leave each meeting with something that can help them in their day-to-day business,” he said. “My family has been involved in the machinery business for three generations,” he continued, “and I was able to start learning that market from a very young age. My father took me on an inspection of a manufacturing plant when I was little. After college and working with a large corporation, I decided to return to my roots at Galaxie.” According to Cauffiel, the biggest benefit of MDNA membership is the chance to build true friendships with people in the industry. “It’s about forming connections which lead to shared knowledge and expertise, as well as opportunities to invest in equipment with fellow members,” he said. When he’s not making deals across the globe, Cauffiel enjoys golfing, working out, and spending time with his fiancé. About MDNA: Recognizing the importance and growth of the used metalworking machinery and used capital equipment industry, the Machinery Dealers National Association (MDNA) has established itself for the purpose of furthering the lawful interests of the industry, promoting higher business standards and ethics, and conducting activities in a manner to improve the objectives of the industry. To learn more about the MDNA, please contact office@mdna.org.  Welcome to “The Women of MDNA,” a series of posts where you’ll meet some of the remarkable women in our industry. Women have been trailblazers in the industry, promoting more than just machines. Consider Kristine Conroy, who has made an enormous impact through the Austin D. Lucas Scholarship Fund and the MDNA Convention.
How did you get involved in the industry? My father, John McMillan, was a machinery dealer, so I grew up in the industry. In fact, he got his start through Austin Lucas, for whom MDNA’s scholarship fund is named. While I was in college, I wanted to be a dealer, but at that time there were very few women in the industry, so my father and Austin encouraged me to choose another career. I chose education and received my master’s degree as a reading specialist. Then I raised our sons, Adam and Austin. After many years of volunteering, I took a job in 1993 at Yale University, reading and evaluating applications. At the same time, the Austin D. Lucas Scholarship Fund (ADLSF) applications were increasing. Austin approached me to become a trustee and help revise the application itself and the method for students to apply. It was a wonderful opportunity to be involved in MDNA and offer my knowledge. I felt as if I had come full circle! In 2001, I became president of the fund. I was the first non-dealer to be a trustee and president of the Austin D. Lucas Scholarship Fund. The scholarship is my passion. It’s wonderful how it has evolved over the last 40 years. I am so grateful for the support of the MDNA members that have made the ADLSF so successful. I really feel that the scholarship fund is the best thing MDNA does. It changes students’ lives and is a real benefit to owners to give to employees. How else have you been involved in MDNA? I’ve served on the convention committee for 20 years. My husband, John, is the chairman. John supervises the convention team, and I do the party planning and handle a lot of the details, working closely with Mark Robinson. It’s been a joy. We are in sync for our goals for what we want members to achieve. I want members to have fun but also to network and to know the MDNA family the way I know it. What is the benefit of being involved in MDNA? I grew up with parents going to conventions. It’s been a part of my whole life. The industry goes far beyond buying and selling machinery. If you are involved in MDNA, you’re family. My closest friends are MDNA members. We fly across the country to visit with each other and share in family celebrations. How has the industry changed over the years? I’ve known generations of machinery dealers: my father’s generation, my generation, the next generation. Years ago, my father traveled to look at machines. Over the years, even my husband traveled a lot. Today, thanks to the Internet, dealers tend to travel less. In that way, the younger generation has helped bring the industry forward through technology. I really like seeing the younger generation sharing ideas with the older generation, and the older generation giving ideas and history. It's a nice blend and beneficial in many ways. What do you like best about the industry? The more you give to the association, the more you get back and the closer you get. This is an amazing group of very special people. I always wanted to be in the industry, and now things have come full circle. I love what I do and especially love the people I have met through MDNA.  A cancer diagnosis is some of the most devastating news a person can receive. Battling the disease is a personal fight, but nobody does it alone. Strength provided by family and faith undergirds the medical care. Friends have a role, too — especially friends who have been down the same difficult road.
Dan Wheeler and Terry Yoder know where that road can lead — and who those friends are. Both men are leaders in the Machinery Dealers National Association (MDNA). Wheeler is the organization’s first vice-president and Yoder is a board director-at-large and the Detroit-Toledo area Chapter Representative. Their long-time personal and professional relationship took on a new dimension after Wheeler learned in November of 2018 that he had developed testicular cancer. Yoder was among many MDNA colleagues who soon learned of the situation and responded with gestures of help and support for Wheeler, his wife Gina, and their three children. “Terry’s one of my best friends,” Wheeler says. “And we were friends long before cancer.” Then, in September of 2021, Yoder learned that he had prostate cancer. Wheeler was among many from the MDNA who offered him immediate encouragement. And Yoder soon realized that Wheeler is one of several key MDNA officials who also happen to be cancer survivors. They rallied to his side as he began his chemotherapy regimen. He describes the bond they share as “kind of like the Marines’ slogan — ‘the few, the proud’” —and laughs as he recalls the many late-night text sessions among members of the group, when humorous and poignant observations on life and health are exchanged. Wheeler has been an MDNA member since 1997. Soon after he joined the family business, Wheeler Machinery Sales, Inc., in Pomona, Calif., he realized the association was a great way to broaden his contacts in the used-machinery world. That involvement took on an entirely different significance when cancer entered his life. Following a rough chemotherapy regimen in early 2019, Wheeler was not certain he could attend the MDNA national convention in May of that year. But he made the drive to the gathering in Palm Springs from his home in east suburban Los Angeles because he was being considered for elevation to the organization’s leadership ranks. Wheeler felt he wasn’t yet up to the demands of the job, and he wanted the board to know he might not be equal to the task right away. “I was fighting gravity at that time,” is how the former collegiate athlete describes the difficulty he had even getting out of bed in the morning. “But I knew I had to get to the convention to let the officers know what things were like.” The board’s reaction was, he said, “one of the most amazing things I’ve ever heard.” “‘Dan, we’ll wait a year for you,’ they told me. ’We want you to be our treasurer.’” The wait was well worth it, for all concerned. Wheeler has risen through the officer ranks and is scheduled to be president of the MDNA board in 2025. Yoder owns Yoder Machinery, established by his parents in 1957 in Holland, Ohio, and sustained by three generations of Yoder siblings, cousins, and now his son, Cody. His wife Erika and other family members have been his primary support from his diagnosis, through chemotherapy, and continuing follow-up treatments. “I was blessed,” he reflects, looking back at how far he has progressed in the past year-and-a-half. Without Erika, he says, “I don’t know what I would have done.” And the strength he found at home was bolstered by the support from what he calls his “second family” of MDNA colleagues. “It’s never supposed to happen to you,” he says of the disease that has changed his life. “It came as quite a shock. But you learn to deal with things and I’ve had so much support from my friends in the MDNA. We laugh together, and we cry together. It’s unbelievable. Just unbelievable.” The MDNA was established as a trade organization, but it is an organization of people. They come from different backgrounds and circumstances, each bringing special qualities and talents to the group’s purpose. Dan Wheeler and Terry Yoder have found, in MDNA people, comfort for the spirit and soul — and a unique camaraderie survivors share.  The Austin D. Lucas Scholarship Fund (ADLSF) is celebrating 40 years of giving! The Machinery Dealers National Association considers the ADLSF the “Heart of the Association.” Through it we have assisted countless students, giving them the opportunity to meet their educational goals.
The scholarship program was founded in 1983 to provide tuition assistance to children whose parents are employed by MDNA member firms. Since its inception, the Austin D. Lucas Scholarship Fund has awarded over 1,490 scholarships totaling $2,038,500. These funds have made a real difference for hundreds of students and their families, easing the burden of college or trade school tuition and paving the way for a brighter future. Many recipients are first-generation college students. “The Austin D. Lucas Scholarship Fund is my passion,” said Kristine Conroy, president of the Austin D. Lucas Scholarship Fund. “I really feel that the Fund is the best thing MDNA does. It changes student lives and is a real benefit that owners can give directly to their employees.” Funded by donations from MDNA dealers, the fund is actually comprised of many Trusts, each totaling $5000. “Any time someone makes a donation,” said Kristine, “it goes toward a Trust. These Trusts provide a lasting legacy and are established in honor or memory of someone or in support of this worthy cause. Trusts can be established over a period of time or through a one-time donation. Some members give monthly until they reach the $5,000 goal.” In celebration of 40 Years of Giving, we are inviting members to pledge to start a Trust this year. Members, groups of members, and companies are encouraged to join the “40 for 40” goal of having 40 pledges! Donations aren’t the only way that MDNA helps build this fund. We also host a yearly fundraiser through the Ray Roberts Raffle. MDNA members make a $100 contribution and have a chance to win $10,000! There are also prizes of $2,000, $1,500 and $1,000. Only 300 tickets are sold, so you have a great chance to win! Tickets are available through your local MDNA chapter. Through all these means, along with careful stewardship, the Austin D. Lucas Scholarship Fund is proud to give students the opportunity to go to trade school or college and to learn, grow, and make a difference in the world.  If you haven’t made your reservation for convention yet, Kristine Conroy has one more reason for you to attend this year. “I want people to know MDNA the way I know it, “she said. “To me, MDNA is a family.”
For Kristine, the industry goes far beyond buying and selling machinery. “If you are involved in MDNA, you are part of a close-knit family. I have friends in MDNA I’ve known for 35 years. We fly across the country to attend each other’s children’s weddings; we vacation together and stay in close touch. Honestly, my closest friends are MDNA people, and they’re from all over the country.” Kristine has served on the Convention Committee for over twenty years and values her role as a woman on the committee. She feels that a woman’s perspective adds to the planning of events and enjoys working with the convention committee and closely with Mark Robinson and her husband John. “We all work hard to make every convention special,” she said. Kristine is particularly committed to making the women who attend the convention welcome and works hard to make sure they have a special experience. In addition to friendship, MDNA Convention & Annual Meeting offers several opportunities to form strong business connections, too. “It’s the best networking tool,” she said. “Convention offers a wonderful environment to network and meet new people.” In fact, many deals originate at the social events at convention. Even though Kristine has known generations of machinery dealers, she recognizes the value in forming new connections each year. “I really like seeing the younger generation sharing ideas with the older generation and the older generation relating their ideas and the history of the association. It’s a nice blend.” And while Kristine acknowledges that the dealers come for the seminars, which are extremely informative, she also wants people to plan on having a lot of fun. “Convention is the perfect time to re-acquaint with people in a social setting and engage with friendly competitors. Attending conventions always affords you the opportunity to travel to different cities and experience unique venues. Where else can you party on an aircraft carrier, have a private cocktail party in a theatre in NYC, or have a private event at Pima?” Still not convinced? Think of it as an investment in your own future. “The more you give to the association,” said Conroy, “the more you get back in your business and in your life.”  The New England Chapter of the Machinery Dealers National Association (MDNA) has elected a new chairman, Marc Mazzalupo, ASA, CEA, for the 2023-2024 leadership cycle. As chair, Mazzalupo will work to advance collaboration among chapter members and lead advocacy efforts for the industry.
Joining Mazzalupo in the chapter’s leadership are the following:
“Serving in MDNA chapter leadership is an honor and a privilege,” said Mark Robinson, Executive Vice President, MDNA. “In electing Mazzalupo as chair, chapter members have acknowledged he has what it takes to effectively lead his fellow members. It is a privilege to represent fellow chapter members at the national level as well.” Mazzalupo currently works as Vice President of The Branford Group, a global auction and valuation business and longtime MDNA member. The company manages all types of industrial assets and has particular expertise in the technology and life sciences sectors, having hosted most of the electronics assembly, circuit board, and electrical test and measurement sales in the industry. Throughout his career, Mazzalupo has sold and appraised equipment in multiple countries, including valuing the assets of the largest poultry processer in Australia and installing a blowmolding line in Surabya, Indonesia. “My family has been involved in the machinery business for two generations,” said Mazzalupo, “and I was able to start learning that market from a very young age. I attended my first MDNA meeting with my father nearly 30 years ago. There was a great deal of collaboration and enthusiasm among the members, and I would like to help foster this type of engagement in the New England chapter.” According to Mazzalupo, the biggest benefits of MDNA membership are forming connections, which lead to shared knowledge and expertise, as well as investing in equipment with fellow members. Does your local MDNA chapter have leadership news to share? Be sure to send it to Mark Robinson at mark.robinson@mdna.org so we can spread the word and offer our congratulations! Membership has its perks, and membership in MDNA is no exception! Here are three upcoming events you won’t want to miss:
AMEA Appraisers' Forum Where: Pearl Equipment Company in Nashville, Tennessee When: March 8 – 10, 2023 What: This year's Forum will include a 7-hour USPAP course, industry presentations, hands-on training at Pearl Equipment Company, and lots of great events with networking opportunities that will allow attendees up to 24 continuing education hours when also taking the USPAP course. This is one event you won’t want to miss, so be sure to register soon! MDNA Southern Regional Chapter Meeting Where: The Listening Room, 618 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37210 When: Thursday, March 9 What: In conjunction with the AMEA Appraisers’ Forum, the MDNA Southern Regional Chapter invites you to join them for dinner, drinks, and live country music. Open to all MDNA members and Forum attendees, this event provides a great opportunity to network with AMEA attendees, as well as many MDNA Southern Regional Chapter Members. The $75 fee includes dinner, drinks, and live country music show tickets. Mark your calendars for this excellent event, register now to save your spot! MDNA Convention 2023 Where: J.W. Marriott Starr Pass Hotel & Spa, Tucson, AZ When: April 13 – 16, 2023 What: Everything you’ve come to expect from the MDNA Convention, all in a beautiful resort setting, featuring gorgeous swimming pools, lazy river, championship golf courses and more! With two full mornings of interactive programming, along with Saturday’s Annual Meeting in the morning and our Black-Tie Optional gala, this year’s convention is a don’t miss opportunity, so register now!
|
RSS Feed
|
Contact us: Phone:703.836.9300 | office@mdna.org | sitemap
Copyright MDNA-Machinery Dealers National Association. All Rights Reserved. 5568 General Washington Drive, Suite A213D, Alexandria VA 22312 |
|