Page 6 - CMA PROfiles Summer 2018

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

you will reach out if you have questions. finishing and your neighbor does not? If
Need help estimating a project larger so, then you figure out a way to take ad-
than any other job you’ve ever had? vantage of each other’s specialties. Think
Perhaps you are curious about spraying about how these kinds of scenarios might
water-borne finishes? Are you interested work with your particular situation and
in creating a company dashboard and consider who you’d like to grow with.
want to know what metrics are most
It is with great excitement that I am important to track? Or maybe you just Don’t get me wrong — I’m NOT
writing my first message as the new need a shoulder to lean on? I may not be suggesting that you approach a fierce
President of the Cabinet Makers the one who can answer your specific competitor who would only take
Association. I want to thank the Board question, but I will always find someone advantage of your openness. I’m thinking
of Directors for believing in me as I fill who can. of the like-minded shop owner who is
this prestigious role. I look forward to trying to figure things out — just like you
continue working closely with the Board By being collaborative, we can essentially — and could use some help.
as I lead this energetic organization. be the biggest, most technologically
advanced “shop” in the North American I believe the CMA is the most engaging,
In March, we had a fantastic 20th market, and that is awesome! How will unique group of professionals you will
Anniversary Conference in Denver. Almost this happen? Incrementally and at the ever be part of, and I encourage you
200 people attended a dynamic, action- ground level – which means you need to to get involved, go outside your comfort
packed two days – and it could have do your part. zone and GROW – both personally and
gone on even longer! The conference
was the culmination of the vision of
our organization’s founders and past I encourage you to get involved,
presidents, and many of them were at
the conference to help new members go outside your comfort zone, and GROW
understand the assets and potential that - both personally and professionally.
come with being a CMA member.

As I look forward to even more growth of
our organization, I will focus on the prior- professionally. This is what has happened
ities I’ve been hearing about from fellow Perhaps you start by inviting a neighbor- to me over the years because of my
members – training, finding employees, ing shop to come to a CMA event, and investment in the CMA. I am so gratified
benefits, technology, etc. Essentially, while you’re there, they may tell you to accept the position of President and
it boils down to what many small shop that they had to turn a job away because lead this organization above and beyond
owners want to know: How do I get to the they did not have the knowledge or the the vision of the founders.
next level? capacity to get it done. A conversation like
this may lead you to decide to share your
The CMA is here to help you, and as collective workload. By doing so, your
President, I want to make myself two businesses in essence can become Leland P. Thomasset
available to you. My email address is one 10,000-square-foot shop with one or Owner of Taghkanic Woodworking
taghkanic@comcast.net, and I hope two CNC machines. Do you specialize in Pawling, NY

4 PROFILES SUMMER 2018