PRESIDENT’S PAGE
JUDITH O’DAY CSDA President
T
his year, we have witnessed the passing of several members of a generation of creators, innovators, engineers and entrepreneurs that helped build the concrete cutting industry. Each of these losses causes me to reflect on what particular attributes, expertise and ethics these individuals brought with them to their respective roles. Their backgrounds and education varied, but common to these men and women was a willingness to try new things, patience to help co-workers grow, confidence and determination to achieve their goals and the ability to convey their vision to the people around them. Some served as the public face of their companies, as president, CEO or the like, while others remained essentially behind the scenes, handling the day-to-day running of the business or providing the support system that helped make it all possible. They did not shy away from making tough decisions, doing the hard work of looking after the common good of their companies, employees and customers or sharing their expertise with others—even with their competitors. Whatever their official role, they certainly have set an example worth following, hopefully motivating us to fight the good fight and do the right thing in these changing times.
W WW. C O N C RE TE OPE N IN GS.COM
The changes and challenges facing businesses today are not all new. We have probably faced most of them before, in one form or another. What may be new to some of us is the number of challenges facing us at one time and the need to address them rapidly, while still meeting customers expectations and generating profitability for the company. Handling these challenges may require additional resources. The CSDA provides access to an array of resources, not the least of which is the knowledge and experience of the membership. This individual and collective expertise is readily available at the Annual Convention and Tech Fair, in both structured and informal settings, as well as at the regional Board and committee meetings. Taking the time to participate in these CSDA activities gives you the opportunity to network with members of our industry who are coping with the same challenges and are learning from past generations.
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