Page 25 - CMA PROfiles Winter 2018

away from us, and they’re not even really Tom Austin remained active in the CMA
making money,” he said, suggesting the until his untimely death some years later.
association could improve everyone’s None of us had any real
business skills. “Then we can all make previous experience with Jim McDermott eventually served as
more money.” this kind of thing, but we president of the association and later as
its executive director.
LEGACY were all enthusiastic and
Everyone from those early hopeful. Mike Langenderfer shifted his business
days brought a lot of enthusiasm, great from cabinets to countertops, but con-
ideas and loyalty to the CMA. tinues to be an advocate for the value of
small business associations
Bob Buckley was excited as an officer on the board
about providing networking of the International Surface
opportunities. He wanted Fabricators Association.
to create lots of meetings
that included face-to-face After a number of years
roundtable opportunities managing the CMA,
to share ideas. CabinetMaker stepped aside
to allow the organization to
“We’re going to offer mem- grow. Even after I was no
bers of the association the longer executive director,
opportunity to sit and talk I actively supported the
with other cabinetmakers organization at regional
who they don’t compete with tradeshows and with
to help all of us solve prob- education sessions and
lems,” he said at the time. publicity through my current
Keith Hill echoed Buckley’s emphasis role as editor of FDMC.
Long after serving out his term as trea- on networking and sharing information
surer, Buckley has remained active in between non-competing shops. He also Today, I applaud how the association has
the organization. He eventually closed wanted to spearhead an active online grown and am frankly amazed at what
his shop and retired from cabinetmaking, forum, and he trumpeted CMA events at became of an idea hatched by a couple
but he couldn’t stay away. He has re- trade shows and regional get-togethers. of editors and five shop owners.
cently returned to the industry, helping While he has left the industry, he still
Cabinotech develop its new line of maintains contact with many of his Happy anniversary, CMA!
frameless cabinetry. CMA colleagues. — William Sampson

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