PRESIDENT’S VIEW

Takeaways From Your GAWDA President

BY ABYDEE BUTLER MOORE

Abydee Butler Moore is GAWDA’s 2020-2021 president, as well as President and COO of Butler Gas Products Company. She can be reached at 412771-7660 ext. 316 or abutlermoore@ butlergas.com. O n every GAWDA stage I have taken this year, I have preached takeaways – that it is our homework to learn and implement at least one idea that pays for the trip. I find it only fair that in my last article as your GAWDA President, I reciprocate with my takeaways. These are the things I have learned as your GAWDA President in 2020 and 2021 that I am taking away. Thank you! It has been quite the trip.

WORKING IN THIS GREAT INDUSTRY IS AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE

I have been overwhelmed with support and encouragement these past two years. Our industry is full of incredible people. We spend energy building each other up professionally, supporting one another in times of need, and the entire network is better because of it. Whether it is transparency over a safety issue and lessons learned, or collaboration regarding a technology leap of faith, like a new ERP, this industry helps its own.

The dense saturation of local and regional family-owned and closely-held businesses paired with the scale and global influence of the publicly-held multinationals make for a diverse, safety-focused, and well-financed industry. Get involved in this great industry; give back and volunteer to steer its future. I pass the GAWDA President baton humbled and appreciative to have served. I will be active and engaged in this industry for life.

Get involved in this Association; they will help you and they will teach you the business.

SUCCESS TAKES A VILLAGE

I love serving on Boards because not only does it feel good to give back, I also learn like a sponge. When you surround yourself with aspirational peers, you grow and “play up” to the talents in the room. Simply put, you win when you hang out with winners. Surround yourself with the best you can find. GAWDA is in outstanding hands with Bob Ewing, Robert Anders, Gary Halter, and our next Executive Committee member, who will be announced at this year’s Convention and who we’re very excited about, on the Presidency track.

Our team at Butler Gas has been incredibly supportive and enabling these past two years – especially when you throw having a baby in the timeline mix as well! It truly does take a village. Everywhere I turn, I am in awe of the people

around me: my husband, my daughters, my parents, my colleagues at Butler Gas, my fellow volunteers, and our staff at GAWDA HQ. Thank you. We are all in the people business and when we need to outperform the competition, we need to out-people the competition.

IT IS THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME TO RUN A FAMILY BUSINESS

The child who grows up with the opportunity to work in her family-owned-and-operated business who chooses a different path must have her reasons, but I struggle to understand what would be so attractive about not contributing to a multigenerational legacy. Familial luck of the draw, I guess. The opportunity to run a family business is sheer luck – lovingly tagged the “Lucky Sperm Club” by some industry legends. If you are a Next-Gen reading this, contemplating your path in or out of the family business, I implore you to give the family business avenue a shot. It is the most rewarding, challenging, and purposeful gig imaginable.

I am the luckiest person in the world getting to grow up in a family business, come to NWSA/GAWDA conventions from 90 days old, volunteer on GAWDA Committees for 13 years, and serve as your Association President.

NOTHING BEATS IN-PERSON.

Our Association and many of our businesses experienced significant technology growth and elevated sophistication these past two years. But now, just because we can does not mean we should. We can hold meetings virtually. We can work remotely. But should we? Nothing beats in-person. Real face-to-face communication, people physically showing up for each other is a beautiful thing. Frequent, direct, in-person communication is always best. People do not leave companies; they leave managers. Show up for each other and engage.

As my Dad endearingly has bestowed upon his fellow NWSA/GAWDA Past Presidents, it is now time to go from the penthouse to the outhouse. I am extremely grateful for this journey. And a final rallying cry, especially for my fellow Next-Gens, to pay forward the best advice I have ever received: get involved in this Association; they will help you and they will teach you the business.

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