GMDC Oct 2015

A TRIBUTE TO

DAVE M c CONNELL

David, better known as Dave, McConnell retired from Global Market Development Center (GMDC) on June 1 this year, but he won’t soon be forgotten. He not only served at GMDC for 35 years, the last 15 as president and CEO, but he also made relationships a priority throughout his career, and his life, and those don’t go away just because you don’t go to the office every day.

Dave’s GMDC colleagues, his association members, his industry friends and Shelby Publishing Co. all salute this man who has left an indelible mark on the industry and its people.

A Shelby Report/Griffin Report special edition September/October 2015

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McConnell: ‘I Fell into an Industry and a Business That I Love’ Dave McConnell joined GMDC on July 15, 1980, on the cusp of the association’s 10-year anniversary that August.

During the next 15 years, as his ascension and tenure progressed, he would serve in nearly every role GMDC had to offer, including meetings management, member services and business develop-

ment.

“I was a handful in the old days,” Dave admitted during GMDC’s Health Beauty Wellness Conference in 2011. “Rick Tilton almost moved me out the door more than once.”

Humble self-jesting aside, Dave’s work with the organization would speak for itself as he utilized his various positions as forums for learning the retail Please see page 4

Dave McConnell with Peter Larkin of NGA, Leslie Sarasin of FMI and Ferrell Franklin, former head of ROFDA.

An Ohio native, Dave’s first job was in retail with Federated Stores, selling clothes and shoes. But he was done with retail by the time he graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He went to work for Norcross Greeting Card Co., then as a manufacturer’s rep for a packaging company. He met Rick Tilton at a neighbor’s party in Dayton, Ohio, and the two became friends. After Tilton moved GMDC headquarters to Colorado Springs, he called Dave back in Ohio and asked if he would be interested in trying association work.

“I fell into an industry and a business that I love,” Dave said at the Retailer Owned Food Distributors & Associates (ROFDA) Spring Conference in Nashville in 2012, participating in a panel discussion with three other veteran association executives (left).

Ann and Dave McConnell, center, pose with GMDC members during a conference.

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GMDC TRIBUTE TO DAVE M c CONNELL From page 2

industry’s decade-by-decade variations on what was hot or not.

His work at GMDC continued through major market and internal organization shifts. In 1992, the organization opened membership to service merchandisers, non-direct-buying supermarket chains and club stores. In 1999, GMDC extended membership to all mass market wholesale and retail channels.

Dave was named president and CEO on Jan. 1, 2000. That same year, the association boosted its technological offerings by introducing CCCnet, a web-based program helping members get the most out of the organization’s popular one-on-one meetings.

While navigating ways for GMDC’s membership to continue to connect and grow during large transitions, Dave also benefited from noticing how small categorical nuances spoke to an evolving market. For instance, the once-termed “health and beauty aids” category of the early 1980s softened into “health and beauty care” by the early 2000s.

The association’s research followed suit, as Dave endorsed the release of groundbreaking research on store-in-store concepts. He also oversaw format changes for GMDC’s conferences, introducing the corporate “speed-dating” process as well as product showcases.

Dave became instrumental in bringing the general merchandise and health/beauty/wellness categories to the forefront of the retail industry through GMDC’s growing membership.

Fast-forward a decade…In 2011, the organization boasted

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80 wholesale and retail members and more than 600 GM and HBW supplier members.

Always appreciative of his family, Dave frequently speaks of how he met his wife at GMDC. “She changed my life, the way I felt about myself, and she made me, I think, a better person,” he said during the aforementioned 2011 HBW Conference.

“She certainly kicked me in the butt and made me a better worker.”

Ann McConnell remains at GMDC, having been promoted in February 2015 to VP-finance and administration.

Ann began her career at GMDC in 1988 as an administrative assistant. Over the years she was promoted through several positions.

She was named to her most recent role, senior director of finance and administration, in 2006.

Ann McConnell

C o n g r at u l at i o n s ! !

Wa k e f e r n c o n g r a t u l a t e s Dave McConnell on his many years of leadership i n t h e i n d u s t r y, a n d h i s u p c o m i n g re t i re m e n t !

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GMDC TRIBUTE TO DAVE M c CONNELL

“David is one of the great change agents of our time. At GMDC, David instituted new breakthrough industry initiatives that enhanced our way of doing business. At the same time, he continued to build upon GMDC’s emphasis on connectivity and relationship to build revenue.

“Beyond being one of the key captains of our industry, David is a great friend to so many. His big heart continues to be his greatest asset.

David will be missed.”

—Lou Martire, Energizer

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“I have been fortunate to know Dave McConnell for more than 25 years. He is not only a business colleague but a friend. As a board member of GMDC, I have seen firsthand Dave’s leadership ability and his commitment to making GMDC a truly important national trade association in our industry. Through his many years of dedication, commitment and leadership, Dave has successfully broadened the membership, focus and vision of GMDC to include the major non-foods wholesalers and retail grocers in our industry. He will be missed!”

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“I have always admired Dave’s ability to bring retailers and suppliers together in a unique collaborative environment, creating a culture that has allowed membership to have a real say in the direction of GMDC. On a personal level, Dave has given me the opportunity to be a part of advisory boards, which has enhanced my contacts and friendships in the industry.”

—Ed Mitchell, Melitta Brands

—Mike Sleeper, Imperial Distributors

“Dave has been a phenomenal leader for GMDC and is well known and respected in the non-food industry. Dave is a driven executive with a strong passion for non-foods and is a great friend.

“I wish Dave a healthy and happy retirement as he moves into the next phase of his life, and want to thank him for helping make GMDC a great organization.”

—Jim Wonderly, Ahold

Congratulations Dave

from Energizer Holdings, Inc. Thanks for your contributions and we hope you enjoy your retirement.

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SEPTEMBER 2015 | theshelbyreport.com

GM D C TR I BUTE TO DAVE M c CO NNELL

chell, ands

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McConnell Possesses ‘Huge Interpersonal Skill’ Mark Mechelse, GMDC director of research, industry insights and communications, worked with Dave McConnell for four years.

And his office was right next to Dave’s. So he is well qualified to speak on his leadership style and qualities.

One of his strengths is “his breadth and depth of relationships within the industry,” Mechelse said.

As someone who came from a product development/CPG marketing background, Mechelse said he knew that the industry was complex, but he was amazed how one person could grasp so many facets of the industry.

GMDC, as an association, has “three buckets of customers— retailers/wholesalers, service solution companies and suppliers/ manufacturers. Dave’s understanding of the business to span across all three of those supply chain industries is astonishing; he can connect all of those dots and speak the language of every individual and his or her interest,” Mechelse said. “It takes a very special talent in order to truly understand what every party’s level of interest is because they all joined GMDC for a completely different reason.

“Indeed, it’s a huge interpersonal skill that Dave possesses,” he added. “It takes a lot of insight. Dave can not only do that well, but he also can speak into people’s lives and personalities to build an even deeper level of understanding.” .Another of Dave’s strengths is his ability to invite, and embrace, change.

One of the innovations Mechelse observed was early in his days

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at GMDC, in 2011. McConnell created the President’s Innovation Network (PIN) Group.

“That was an effort pioneered by Dave to say, ‘let’s look toward the future of GMDC; what are we doing now that may not be working and needs to change or drop off? What are we doing well now that we shouldn’t change but need to enhance? And what are we not doing now that we need to be doing in the future?’”

The PIN Group, made up of member company executives and influential members of GMDC, looked at those questions, Mark Mechelse and several new initiatives came out of that, Mechelse said.

One of them was GMDC Connect, the “proprietary technology platform that allows our members to communicate through…our Please see page 10

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Mr. Dave McConnell From your friends and family at Driveline and across the industry... Thank You for all you have done for so many.

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what Nielsen is saying—the sales are up in this category, they’re own private video conference room. A lot of people in the indus- down in this category,’” Mechelse said.

While Mechelse said that GMDC was the first to adopt “speed try were using WebEx and Skype, which were very low-def or restricted video platforms. We were one of the first associations to dating” into a business setting—getting retailers and suppliers sitactually build our own high-definition platform to start broadcast- ting down for 10 minutes to discuss business collaboration—it has further spun off that concept to also ing insight sessions to our memberinclude Senior Executive Conferences ship,” said Mechelse, adding that it also (SECs) at its two annual conferences. gave retailers and suppliers the ability Two conference days feature these to do business face to face after confer40-minute meetings during which ences, or any time of the year. “companies can do much deeper dives Another project that was birthed into line planning, forecasting and during Mechelse’s tenure with GDMC product development. was the GMDC/Nielsen GM Hierarchy, “Sometimes 10 minutes may not a project with Nielsen that, for the first be long enough, while other times, time, provided data on non-food catfor companies with a more selective egories in the grocery and drug chanoffering, sometimes 10 minutes is long nels. This gives retailers and suppliers enough for companies to understand “common language” to discuss perforwhether there is a relationship and an mance and trends within categories opportunity there. As that opportunity that was previously not available anyrelationship grows in business, they where. can migrate over to a SEC, a 40-minute “It’s exclusive within our association meeting, during our confer-ence and now, and full access is included with go much deeper into line plans and membership,” Mechelse noted. future strategies,” Mechelse said.

“Grocers and suppliers are able to now begin talking to each other during the GMDC Conferences and say, ‘This is Dave McConnell addresses a GMDC Conference From page 8

crowd.

Congratulations Dave!

Thanks for your outstanding leadership at GMDC. We truly appreciate your partnership and all that you have done for our industry.

We wish you and Annie all the best in your retirement!

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Thank you for your many years of service to GMDC’s members, and for all you have done for our industry.

All The besT To you AnD Annie!

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GMDC’s First 45 Years...

1970

1972

The first organizational and charter membership meetings are held for the General Merchandise Distributors Council (GMDC). Fran Willmes of Spartan Stores is the first president; Robert Keats is the first executive director. The focus of the association is wholesalers and distributors of general merchandise and health and beauty products and categories.

First GMDC Marketing Conference is held in Dallas, and the concept of Controlled Casual Conferences is proposed.

2001

1974 Rick Tilton of Mead Consumer Products succeeds Robert Keats as executive director.

GMDC’s first industry survey is unveiled at the GM Conference.

2003

GMDC board decides to pay for airfare and lodging expenses for qualifying wholesale and retail companies starting with 2002 conferences.

2002 Following decision to pay expenses, retailer and wholesaler attendance increased 45 percent at GM Marketing Conference and 27 percent at HBC Marketing Conference.

2005

The GMDC Board of Directors amends the association’s bylaws to include the chairman of the three advisory boards to serve two-year terms as directors on the board.

2004 GMDC introduces the Showcase@ GMDC program at its May GM Marketing Conference. The GMDC Foundation introduces groundbreaking “Leveraging the Connection Between Pharmacy and the Whole Store” and “Merchandising for Success” studies.

2010 The GMDC Education Leadership Council releases “2010 Phase II Research on Consumer Shopping Habits for Wellness and Environmentally Conscious Lifestyles.”

The report includes updates about the current state of the market, identifies trends and changes from Phase 1 research conducted in 2009, and highlights new observations in 2010.

GMDC celebrates its 40th anniversary.

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Health and Beauty Aids Supplier Advisory Board formed.

1976

1971

GMDC Educational Foundation releases “Birthday/Celebration Merchandising Strategies Store Research Report” and “Women’s Well-Being Merchandising Strategy” study.

197

Retail/wholesale and supplier members pilot new Roundtable Idea Exchange Sessions at the May GM Marketing Conference, and Senior Executive Conferences (SECs) are successfully piloted at the September HBC Marketing Conference. The GMDC Educational Foundation released “Multicultural Marketing...A Plan for Growth in GM and HBC” study.

2006 GMDC Educational Foundation releases “Seasonal Best Practices...A Plan for Seasonal Merchandising” study.

2011 GMDC presents results from multi-year study on health and wellness at Health Beauty Wellness Marketing Conference and announces future date changes for the 2013 marketing conferences.

2012 GMDC introduces Telepresence via GMDC*Connect at the annual marketing conferences. GMDC hosts a business session at the GM Conference followed by a Retailer Panel & Interview Discussion regarding new groundbreaking research that GMDC, Nielsen and Radian released that contains new metrics and insights to help measure and manage the GM category.

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1978 GMDC wholesale members initiate Performance Analysis Review (PAR) program so members can benchmark departmental growth.

1979 GMDC headquarters moves from Dayton, Ohio, to Colorado Springs, Colorado.

1981 “HBA Means Business” education program with supplementary material introduced.

GMDC TRIBUTE TO DAVE M c CONNELL

1985

1999

“1 Will Get You 5” education program designed to drive incremental general merchandise sales and profits.

GMDC opens membership to all mass market wholesale and retail channels.

2000

1987 GMDC admits direct-buying supermarket chains into its membership.

1992

Dave McConnell succeeds Rick Tilton as president and CEO. GMDC introduces CCCnet, a web-based tool suite designed to maximize the effectiveness of the organization’s one-on-one meetings.

GMDC Educational Foundation is launched. Membership expands to include service merchandisers, non-direct-buying supermarket chains and club stores.

2007

2008

GMDC rebrands itself as the Global Market Development Center; same acronym. The Health and Beauty Care Marketing Conference is rebranded to the Health Beauty Wellness Marketing Conference to emphasize the association’s commitment to providing industry leadership in capturing the emerging health and wellness consumer opportunity.

The GMDC Educational Foundation is rebranded to the Education Leadership Council, and it releases the “Who Cares? Reaching the Family Caregiver” and “Jump Starting Top-Line Growth II” mini-studies. The GMDC board amends the GMDC bylaws to include the chairman of the Education Leadership Council as a two-year member of the board of directors.

2013 GMDC enhances GMDC*Connect with videocast learning events covering a variety of topics led by industry experts.

2014 Patrick Spear succeeds Dave McConnell as president.

GMDC releases the GMDC/Nielsen GM Hierarchy, a tool that tracks critical sales information by category within general merchandise.

GMDC identifies the opportunities within health and wellness for members and adds a new senior staff position, director of wellness programs.

2009 The GMDC Education Leadership Council releases the “Consumer Shopping Habits for Wellness and Environmentally Conscious Lifestyles” research study.

2015 At the 2015 General Merchandise Marketing Conference, enhancements are made to the Group B Controlled Casual Conference (CCC) format that allow every supplier/service company member to meet with every attending retailer/ wholesaler company. This led to more meetings and fewer gaps of unscheduled time. In all, attendees completed more than 11,000 business meetings.

Patrick Spear adds the CEO title on June 1 as Dave McConnell officially retires.

GMDC celebrates its 45th anniversary on Aug. 1.

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Colleague Says McConnell’s Impact Extends Way Past Business Keith Wypyszynski, GMDC’s VP of business development and willing to do what had to be done and he was your friend.”

The bright side, he added, is, “I know this man. He will keep chief member officer, is another example of Dave McConnell’s his hands and pulse on this industry and continue to support it relationship-building prowess.

Wypyszynski came to know Dave when he was a supplier in any way and everything that he can. He loves GMDC, he loves member of GMDC, working for Wyeth Consumer Healthcare and this industry, the members, the people. He will always have a its predecessor organizations. Wypyszynski served on multiple warm feeling for the association.”

Dave’s ability to connect didn’t stop at the GMDC office GMDC advisory boards and got to know Dave well over the doors, though.

15 years he was a GMDC member. Thanks to that relaWhen Colorado Springs, where the offices are tionship, Wypyszynski joined GMDC eight years ago, located, was hit with a devastating wildfire a few years and for him and others, Dave’s transition to retireago, Dave hosted a new employee and his family at ment is bittersweet. his home for more than two weeks when they were “It is really hard knowing we are turning a evacuated. page,” he said. “Dave embodies the GM and HBW industry, and GMDC. From sitting with members The Shelby Report, Wypyszynski said, is “recognizing a career and a life. GMDC, retailers and wholesalers, and wanting to know how the association can help the general merchandise and health, beauty, wellness them, to concern for co-workers, his commitment industry have been blessed to have the privilege workto the members and the association…Dave has ing with him. Dave has touched an awful lot of been the backbone of this association. lives; he’s helped a lot of people both in “Dave sets up an environment of trust, business and personally. collegiality and a real work ethic. He’s “We’re celebrating someone that truly been a mentor, a colleague, a good friend has a legacy.” to everyone in the industry,” Wypyszynski added. “The best thing about Dave is that, good or bad, he was always there. He was Keith Wypyszynski

and

Congratulations Dave, and thank you for your years of insight and leadership We hope you enjoy your well earned retirement!!!

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Thanks Dave, for over 30 years of leaDership, from all of us aT GmDC! Enjoy this exciting next phase of your life!

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McConnell Embodies the Term ‘Connect’

Dave McConnell has a talent for connecting with people. But it’s not just connecting with people; it’s sustaining that connection that sets him apart.

Michael Winterbottom, chief technology officer at GMDC, met McConnell 34 years ago, in 1981, not long after GMDC moved its offices from Ohio to Colorado. Just a few months out of college in upstate New York, Winterbottom decided to move to Colorado Springs. After all, he knew one person there.

The night he got into town, he met his friend at a house party east of Colorado Springs. During the party, there was a knock on the door.

It was the next-door neighbor, Dave McConnell, joining the party.

“One of the things that makes Dave unique is I’ve never seen anybody who can walk into any room anywhere, filled with 100 people he’s never met, and in one hour can touch and engage all 100 people and all 100 of them think extremely highly of their conversation with him,” Winterbottom said. “He’s a people person times 10. Charismatic is another great word for him. It’s one thing to talk to someone; it’s

another thing to really connect. He can connect with anybody.”

About a year after their initial meeting, Dave and Winterbottom became housemates, an arrangement that remained until Dave married.

In 1998, it was announced that Dave would succeed Rick Tilton at the helm of GMDC in 2000, and one of Dave’s first Michael Winterbottom priorities was for GMDC to make a bigger commitment to technology. The board okayed his request to hire a director of technology, and Winterbottom was on the short list for the job. He had done technology-related projects for GMDC over the years while he had pursued his graduate degree, so he had a leg up and was hired in 1998.

In fact, while he was getting his master’s degree in computer science, he was “constantly looking for real-world problems to solve, and GMDC, surprisingly, had a lot of interesting issues,” he said.

One of the solutions was CCCnet, which allowed On Sept. 11, 2001, a GMDC HBC Conference (as it was called then) was under way the supplier/retailer meetings GMDC conferences in Palm Springs, California. A number of conference attendees had traveled to are known for to be set up online, along with the California from New York, so the day quickly became a very emotional one, rememTelepresence-based online conferencing.” bers Michael Winterbottom, GMDC’s chief technology officer.

Dave spearheaded that one personally, knowing McConnell, along with the GMDC chairman at the time, went out onto the conferthese meetings can provide “the same productivity ence floor, got up on chairs and addressed the group. that happens over the three or four days of a confer“When I think of Dave as a leader, I always think of that moment,” Winterbottom said. ence all 365 days of the year.

“He’s one of a kind,” Winterbottom said.

9 - 1 1 A N E A R LY L E A D E R S H I P T E S T

Dave - Many thanks for your years of service to GMDc, the MeMbers anD our inDustry.

We appreciate all you’ve Done, anD We Wish you, annie anD your faMily all the very best.

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“Dave, thank you for being who you are. Your enthusiastic, charming personality made association work fun for all!”

—Bob Richardson, Clorox/Burt’s Bees

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 | theshelbyreport.com

“Dave not only made me feel instantly welcome when I joined the industry circuit but also made me feel that we had been friends for years. His countless relationships are not only a testament to his character, but also to his in-depth knowledge and the impact he has had on the industry.

I am grateful for his support, his friendship and the example he has set for my career.”

—Alison Castillo, Unilever “David McConnell has been so much more than the inspiring leader of GMDC over the last 35 years. He and Ann McConnell have been the heart and soul of the organization. They are a team! As a result of their dedication, hard work and creativity, GMDC has continued to grow and deliver ever-increasing value to all of its membership. Congratulations to David for his many years of outstanding service to GMDC and its members. Enjoy the next chapter in your life.”

—A P “Skip” Aldridge III, Head of Sales Consulting Inc.

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“GMDC remains the only trade association dedicated to the growth and success of the HBW and GM categories. As the longtime leader of the GMDC organization, Dave has been the champion for these categories and has never wavered in his support and commitment to the success of our industry.

Thank you, Dave, for your leadership, dedication and, most importantly, your friendship! Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement!”

—The C&S Team

Your friends from Time Inc. Retail would like to say thank you for all your support in helping us succeed in the marketplace.

Wishing you the best in your next phase of life.

Good health, Good Luck and Great Success.

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Spear Excited About Challenge of Filling McConnell’s ‘Big Shoes’ Patrick Spear spent about seven months working side by side with Dave McConnell, in the office and on the road, to ease Spear’s transition into the top roles at GMDC. Spear first took on the role of president last November, followed by the CEO role on June 1 this year at the group’s General Merchandise Conference in Orlando.

The plan for Dave to retire in 2015 had been in place since 2012, but it wasn’t until spring 2014 when the GMDC board officially began the search.

Spear, who had spent 25 years in the consumer and office products industries in increasingly higher-level roles, made a phone call around that time that would change his course.

He had been a member of GMDC back in the mid-’90s and got to know Dave on a more personal level when he became a member of GMDC’s GM Advisory Board in the early 2000s, when Spear worked for Mapa Spontex.

In 2014, Spear was doing consulting work with Washington, D.C., investors who were interested in some consumer-facing companies.

He called Dave about attending GMDC’s Health, Beauty and Wellness Conference, seeking information to help with that project. Dave told him to come on down to the conference.

“And by the way, I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I am going to be retiring and they’re going to be commencing a search. If that’s something of interest to you, you should contemplate participating

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in the process,” Dave told him.

“I was intrigued, and I was fortunate enough to participate in the process and fortunate and blessed to prevail in it,” Spear said.

Spending those months with Dave was “incredibly effective” in Patrick Spear preparing him to take the helm of GMDC, said Spear, giving credit to Dave and the board for their foresight in setting up that transition period.

“I learned the nuances of the business, the needs of the members and witnessed up close the way he shepherds this association,” Spear said. “I spent a great deal of time with Dave both here in the office and out on the road at industry events and meeting with our members in their offices and listening and asking questions and learning.

Having run a business before, the nuts and bolts of it are very familiar to me in terms of how you think about the financials and the P&L and things like that. But in terms of our constituents and really digging deep and understanding what their needs were, the transition was just a great opportunity for me to learn from Dave—from an industry giant, if you will—how he sees the world, how he thinks about things and how he manages through given situations and the nuances of them.”

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While he officially stepped down June 1, Dave remains an advisor to Spear through the end of the year, available as a “backstop” when more details or insights on a particular issue are needed.

“I have big shoes to fill,” Spear said. “Dave has given so much to this industry and has been so committed, has been such a great visionary and a leader.

It’s very humbling for me, A, to have been chosen, but B, to have the opportunity to work with him side by side and to see up close how he leads and guides and thinks. I’ve got my work cut out for me. But I’m excited about it, I’m energized, I get up every day looking forward to coming in. Not to say it’s easy, given the challenges in the industry, but I think with the solid team we have, with the culture that has been created and sustained here over the years, I think the future for GMDC is really bright. And it’s due in very large part to Dave McConnell.

“Dave is a passionate, committed leader, and very collaborative,” Spear continues. “As a trade association, we exist to serve our members, to drive value for our members and to make sure everything we do is relevant to our members’ needs. As someone who has been in the industry for a long time, his passion and his commitment have never wavered...He gets up and he gets after it. The way I think about Dave is a servant leader, along with his passion and his commitment to GMDC and the industry.”

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G M D C ’S F O U R T H L E A D E R During its 45-year history, GMDC has had four leaders. The first was Executive Director Robert Keats, who served four years. Rick Tilton, president and CEO, served 26 years; Dave McConnell served 15 years as president and CEO; and now Patrick Spear is in his first year as president and CEO.

succinctly describe GMDC’s broad constituencies and operations.

Spear’s more than 25 years in the consumer and office products industries include positions with BIC Corp., Newell Rubbermaid, Mapa Spontex, The Identity Group and Mammoth Office Products.

He was a retail sales representative with BIC, president and CEO of Identity Group and founding partner and managing director of Mammoth Office Products.

Mark Mechelse, GMDC’s director of research, industry insights and communications, and an outside agency have been working together on that score, and “we’ve really made a lot of progress,” Spear said. “And that’s something we’re going to continue to do—refine our message around who we are and what we do and how we serve our members.”

On his third day as president of GMDC in November 2014, Spear attended GMDC’s joint advisory board meeting, where all advisory board members and the board of directors get together to talk about “where we are and what the needs of the members are and some of our objectives for the near term and mid term,” Spear said.

One of the goals that emerged—in addition to continuing to increase the value GMDC delivers to its members—was to

“In 15 seconds, tell me what GMDC is… it’s somewhat challenging to answer that question,” Spear said. “One of the things we determined is that we’ve got to find a way to tell our story and do it concisely.”

The group’s website says on the opening page: “The Association for GM and HBW Connectivity, Education and Research.”

Spear said GMDC also has updated its strategic plan, with the board’s approval.

While he didn’t provide details, Spear said the plan “gives us an opportunity to really focus in what we believe the needs of our members are moving forward.”

Spear and his wife, Lisa, have three teenage children: Erica, Nolan and Joseph.

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