Bob Weidner
President/CEO, Metals Service Center Institute
Memorable project: Successful transformation of a struggling $4M trade association in 2001 into a vibrant $10M trade association.
Lessons learned: If we aren’t helping members run their businesses better (while being compliant with US anti-trust laws), we’re not doing our job. Relevant, insightful and meaningful strategic and tactical information is our currency and how we deliver member value.
Why this career: Had worked in the private sector for 20 years but wanted P&L responsibility and the chance to turn around the organization, using finance, people, sales and transformational change skills.
Grew up: Chicago
Current home: Chicago
First job: Worked in men’s haberdashery.
Free time: Family, golf, reading and charity work.
Family: Married 30 years, three adult children and a Golden Retriever.
Favorite vacation spot: Wife’s family home on 10 acres on the western shore of Michigan. Been in the family over 100 years.
Bucket list: Do the British Open’s eight courses with family.
Daily habit: Start day with short prayer expressing thanks and asking for the Lord to look over family.
Startling fact: In 5th grade operetta, played Abraham Lincoln in Act One, and the back end of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow (Chicago Fire) in Act Two.
Andy Doyle
President/CEO, American Coatings Association
Memorable projects: Organization has grown 10-fold in size and revenue in the past five years, from $6M to $60M in revenue. Growth is largely due to a paint recycling program, a tremendously successful trade show and an acquisition of our professional society.
Lessons learned: Have patience, listen and remember you’re there to serve your members, not yourself.
Why this career: Worked two blocks down the street, was out of college about a year and heard about an open position. Got the job 36 years ago and became CEO 27 years ago. When I walked through the doors here, had no idea the role of an association.
Grew up: Riverdale, MD.
First job: Delivered an afternoon newspaper called the Washington Daily News.
Free time: Watch too much baseball.
Family: Married 37 years, three daughters, two grandchildren, and two dogs–a Lab/pit mix and beagle/basset hound mix.
Favorite vacation spot: House in Rehoboth Beach.
Daily habit: Read sports pages, make coffee for my wife and exercise.
Startling fact: Have worked for the same organization for 37 years.
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