The North American Equipment Dealers Assn. (NAEDA) announced today that it has rebranded the association in order to communicate that the association is evolving, engage positive perceptions, and draw attention to the renewed focus of the organization. Effective immediately, the association’s new name will be the Equipment Dealers Assn. (EDA). The board of directors determined that dropping the geographic descriptor better aligned the organization with the regional equipment dealer associations and strengthened its position as the largest international organization for equipment dealers.

“During the 115-year history of the organization, we’ve had a few different names, but our purpose has remained unchanged – to help dealers succeed,” said Rick Lawhun, president and CEO. “The new name and brand will raise our visibility and make us a more effective in pursuing our primary focus areas of government relations, manufacturer relations, and regulatory compliance.”

The rebranding process produced more than just a new name and logo. It included a new vision, mission, governance model, and membership model. All of which is intended to better serve members and advance the industry.

“The board felt a need to create a leaner structure that can react more quickly in addressing industry issues and influences,” noted outgoing board chair Blaine Bingham of Bingham Equipment Co. in Mesa, Ariz. “The model also facilitates direct communication with dealer members and positions the organization as the unified voice representing the interests and needs of the dealer. We are excited about the future of the Equipment Dealers Assn.”

New Board Members

EDA also announce the newly elected members of its 2015-16 board of directors. New board members elected to 1-year terms include:

Canada - Jim Backus, general manager of Kubota Country, which carries Kubota, Vermeer, Land Pride, and Merlo. Backus has been in the equipment industry since 1977 and his experience includes past service as director, officer, committee chair, and committee member for the Canada West Equipment Dealers Assn. (now known as the Western Equipment Dealers Assn.). He and his two sons currently oversee two locations.

Great Lakes - Mark Laethem, co-owner and manager of Farm Depot, which carries Kubota, Ag Chem, Fendt, Challenger, Krone, and Geringhoff. Laethem is a graduate of Michigan State University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He is the recipient of several industry honors, including the John Deere Managers Club Award, North America's Top-Twenty Award, AGCO Circle of Excellence Award, and Number One Fendt Dealer Award for North America.

Gulf Coast - Randy Anderson, co-owner of Progressive Solutions Holdings (dba AimTrac), which carries Case IH. In 2010, Anderson was president of the Southern Equipment Assn., where he retains a current seat as a board member. He is a second generation dealer and has been in the equipment industry since 1972. Anderson and his son currently oversee five locations in mid-Georgia.

Elected to 2-year terms:

Mid-Atlantic - Brown Gwynn, owner and chief operating officer of Limestone Farm Home & Worksite, which carries John Deere, Kuhn, EZTRAIL, and J&M. Gwynn is a graduate of the University of Kentucky where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. His experience includes past service as an officer and committee chair of the Mid Atlantic Equipment Dealers Assn.

North Central - Ivan Dorhout, owner of Town & Country Implement, which carries Case IH, New Holland, and Kubota. Dorhout has been in the industry for more than 36 years and has served as president of the Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Assn., in addition to service on the executive committee and audit committee. In addition to his leadership role at the affiliate level, Dorhout has participated in EDA’s legislative fly-in and Legislative Committee.

Northeast - Brian Carpenter, general manager of Champlain Valley Equipment, which carries New Holland, Kubota, Case, Kuhn, Bobcat, Sunflower, Kinze, Great Plains, Land Pride, and Woods. Carpenter is a graduate of St. Lawrence University where he earned a B.S. in Economics. For more than 30 years, he was an officer in the United States Army and served as Commander of the Vermont Army National Guard, 2010-14. Carpenter also served on the New Holland Dealer Council and the Kubota Dealer Council. In 2006, Champlain Valley Equipment was named Farm Equipment magazine's Dealership of the Year.

Elected to 3-year terms:

Northwest - Brion Torgerson, chief executive officer of Torgerson’s, which carries Case IH, Bourgault, and MacDon. Torgerson has considerable experience within the industry, including previous service on the Case IH Dealer Advisory Board, the MSU Northern Diesel Advisory Board, the Montana Equipment Dealers Assn.Board, the NRF Small Business Retail Council Steering Committee, and the Montana Future Farmers of America Alumni Board.

South Central - Harold Chapman Jr., general manager of Crown Power & Equipment, which carries Case IH, Kubota, Cub Cadet, and Kinze. Chapman is a graduate of the University of Missouri, Columbia where he earned a B.S. in Agricultural Mechanization. His experience includes previous service as president of the Southwestern Assn. (now known as the Western Equipment Dealers Assn.).

Southwest - Tom Rosztoczy, president and chief executive officer of Stotz Equipment, which carries John Deere. Rosztoczy is a graduate of Stanford University where he earned a B.S. in Industrial Engineering. His experience includes previous service as a director and president of the FarWest Equipment Dealers Association. He also served on John Deere’s National Dealer Advisory Group for Large Ag Dealers and John Deere’s National Dealer Advisory Council for Turf Dealers. In 2013, Stotz Equipment was named Farm Equipment magazine’s Dealership of the Year.

“We’re fortunate to have this distinguished group of industry leaders to guide the association,” said Rick Lawhun, president & CEO of the Equipment Dealers Assn. “The association is in the midst of significant change and we look forward to the new perspectives and initiatives this group will provide.”

Equipment Dealers Assn.

Founded in 1900, the Equipment Dealers Assn. (EDA), formerly known as the North American Equipment Dealers Assn., is a non-profit trade organization representing 4,500 retail dealers extensively engaged in the sale and service of agricultural, construction, industrial, forestry, outdoor power, lawn and garden, and/or turf equipment. EDA provides essential value to its members by enhancing the dealer-manufacturer relationship and advocating for a positive legislative and regulatory environment. EDA is headquartered in St. Louis and is affiliated with regional associations located throughout the United States and Canada. For additional information, visit www.naeda.com.