Michael F. Gibbons, FCSI, GRP, CCCA, was honored by the Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) organization at their “Cities Alive” conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

Gibbons received their Civic Award for his long-term involvement in the organization’s sustainability efforts promoting green (vegetative) roofs as well as his activities in writing standards for municipal, state and national governments, architects and landscape architects, and additional companies involved in the design and construction of green roofs. He was responsible for the recent publication of ASTM E2777-14 “Standard Guide for Vegetative (Green) Roof Systems.”

Gibbons founded long-time MANA member Architectural Systems, Inc., Dallas, Texas, … Read the rest

In what has become an annual event, MANA’s Attorney Forum met in Chicago last fall to tackle a full slate of legal issues that affect independent manufacturers’ representatives. Everything from collecting unpaid commissions, to dealing with international principals and the need for written contracts was discussed by the 19 attorneys in attendance. A major benefit of this event is that rep-savvy attorneys are able to exchange experiences and best practices that they’re able to share with their agent clients.

MANA members can find a list of rep-savvy attorneys in the member area of the website, www.MANAonline.org.… Read the rest

MANA member Bob Borden found a good way to support his grandson’s high school and get his and MANA’s name in front of the community by displaying a banner at all of the school’s home football games.

Borden, R.H. Borden and Company, LLC, Kamas, Utah, explains that the idea for the banner developed as part of a fundraiser for the school where his grandson, sophomore Wes Borden, is a member of the undefeated (as this is written) Olympus High School football team in Salt Lake City. According to Borden, whose agency serves the oil and gas industries, “The real purpose … Read the rest

MANA’s CEO and President Charles Cohon extends special thanks to Justin McCarthy of Scot Forge for the opportunity to tour Scot Forge’s Spring Grove, Illinois facility on Thursday June 5, 2014.

McCarthy is a long-term MANA member and a long-term supporter of MANA and of the manufacturers’ representative system of selling.

The facility operates on an enormous scale and is state-of-the-art in terms of its manufacturing techniques and dedication to safety. Scot Forge is a 100% ESOP company where each employee, after meeting certain criteria, actually becomes an employee-owner.

MANA members like McCarthy and Scott Forge are the reason for … Read the rest

After 25 years of teaching Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management in the MBA program at the University of Chicago Booth Graduate School of Business, Adjunct Professor Bob Calvin has started teaching a free online Entrepreneurship class at entrepreneurship-demystified.com.

The subjects covered include:

• Key factors that separate success from failure for entrepreneurial businesses.
• How to avoid growth busters to avoid.
• Writing a business plan.
• Obtaining proper debt and equity financing.
• Product and service differentiation.
• Identifying target customers and markets.
• Pricing to maximize profits.

The online format lets students watch the classes at their convenience, and Calvin’s material includes many good ideas … Read the rest

Members often ask MANA to be more engaged with students and professors at business schools, and MANA recently had that opportunity at the full-time MBA program ranked #1 by Bloomberg BusinessWeek, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

“The Hard Sell” competition at Chicago Booth gives second-year full-time students the opportunity to pit their sales skills against their peers and gain real-world sales experience before graduation. The program is spearheaded by Clinical Professor of Entrepreneurship Craig Wortmann (left), whose “Entrepreneurial Selling” course was featured in the Inc. magazine article, “The 10 Best Entrepreneurship Courses of 2011.”

MANA CEO and … Read the rest

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Cleaves-Bessmer-Marietti, Inc. (CBM, Inc.) announces that Douglas P. Mayle has been appointed to the Board of Directors, effective May 10, 2013. Doug is currently the Vice President of the Contractor & Industrial Group and a valuable member of CBM, Inc. He has over 25 years of experience in the C&I Market and has been on the management team for the last 13 years.

Doug graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in Education. He started his career working in distribution doing outside sales, then joined CBM, Inc. as an Account Manager in the C&I market. Doug has been … Read the rest

Congratulations Greg Bruno on Re‑Election to a Second Term

One District Director position was up for election for the three-year term beginning May 1, 2013. This director will cover the following states: DE, DC, MD, NJ, PA, VA, WV.

Nominations to run for District Director were sought last year and the election ballots were sent in January. The ballots have been received and we are pleased to announce that Greg Bruno has been re-elected to serve on the MANA Board of Directors.

Greg Bruno, Director for DE, DC, MD, NJ, PA, VA, WV, has been a MANA member since 1983 … Read the rest

CheckINN card by CLC Lodging guarantees 20% to 40% savings off select hotels’ Lowest Published Rate (LPR) and now MANA members can receive their own CheckINN card for free!

Just go to CheckInnCard.com and use Key Code/Referral Code MANA for waived registration fee. CheckINNcard will ask you to register the credit card you will be using for travel at that time, but you will not be charged for membership. You can also join by calling toll-free at 866-857-9747, select option 1. Be sure to mention the Key Code/Referral Code MANA.

Once enrolled, members have access to an online temporary voucher … Read the rest

The National Marine Representatives Association (NMRA) recently presented the Mel Barr Award to Joe DiMaria, director of sales and marketing for Hubbell Marine. The award recognizes an individual who has contributed to the improvement of the industry and is named in the memory of marine rep Mel Barr, one of the founders of NMRA and its first president. Jonathan Sweet, editor-in-chief of Boating Industry magazine, and NMRA president Kathy Munzinger made the presentation.

“In 1984, Hubbell had only a few boatbuilder accounts. Now, with Joe’s leadership, it has a large percentage of the OEM market. He’s utilized all of Hubbell’s … Read the rest

MANA Directors David Ice (right) and Ed Reese recently received thanks and recognition from MANA’s Board of Directors for their long service to the association. Ice has served as a Director since 2006 and also served as Chairman of the Board, and Reese has served as a Director since 2007. Both have been instrumental in guiding MANA during their long years of service, and have earned the gratitude of MANA’s members. Both conclude their terms of office in April 2013.… Read the rest