With all of that said - Ken, you are saying that the UAmCc is going to be the voice of the nation for the industry. That was the death of the PWNA when they DIDN'T listen to the contractors and kept things all hush-hush and secret from the masses. You can't expect the contractors that this org is going to be speaking for in the future to be quiet about something that is clearly going to affect their businesses? This endeavor has been encouraged all along the way to be public and up front - somebody shot that wad prematurely when the annoucement was made without things being in place so getting to do it quietly and without ducking bombs was something that was forfeited by those doing the "reformulating". That's just bad government - and isn't that what ultimately you want the association to be - the one that everyone looks to for guidance & rules....sounds like government to me. The biggest difference in what all of the individual frogs are doing versus what you two frogs are doing is that you guys are doing what appears to be trying to "take over the industry and we'll let you know what the plan is once it's done".
Celeste, thank you for a well thought out and unbiased interjection. I'll address your question since it is an honest one.
I don't know what the UAMCC is going to ultimately be. Yes, I do believe it can become the voice of the industry at the national level. I would think that is the core goal of any national endeavor.. to combine and become one voice. I think there is great misunderstanding as to the roles Carlos and I are playing in this. We are going to get it going and then we are stepping back. I will spend my time, my money and dedicate everything I have learned into getting this launched, then I am out. I think it would surprise you guys to hear that this is Carlos's position as well. We are not running for the BOD. The BOD is going to be voted in by the members. If the members at that time think Carlos is doing a good job and want to see him continue, then he may revisit his stance. I cannot speak for him. I've already mentioned several times, I will not be in any type of management position.
I'll make this vow as well. When the time comes, I will pay a contractor membership fee like everyone else. I keep getting called a vendor and a distributor but I do not sell or market to pressure washing contractors on these boards. I have been approached by contractors in various industries and I have a contractor discount pricing plan in place. The page on my Restore-A-Deck for contractor discounts is hidden and I have never solicited anyone on the boards directly. I am not an industry vendor. OPW is an industry vendor. Pressure Tek, Sunbrite, Delco, E-spec.. those are industry vendors. If I don't currently sell to anyone here and I am resigning my position (or whatever you prefer to call it) with the UAMCC in under a year, what is my agenda? I must be a lousy business person because I see no chance for immediate success and/or profit in this. I look at the long term agenda of how this can help me as a contractor. I also see value in the experience. It will help me become a better business person by investing in this. That's it. No curtain two or three. Now business models change. If I move towards becoming an industry vendor, I will pay the membership fees due from a vendor.
Again, C, thank you for taking the time to write an excellent post.
Russ, also thank you for stepping back and understanding my position. I am, like you, like Celeste, Jeff and like most of us, passionate about the industry and my business. I absolutely don't want any more black eyes. I have hung my [hat] out to the wind on this so I do expect scrutiny, criticism and all of the emotion that goes with it. I'm a big boy. I have nothing to hide. I know that for true change to occur, things have to get worse before they can get better.
Ken , I am stepping back because I am too tired to argue , I like to agree to disagree
I wiil keep an open mind and watch casually from the side lines , as always I wish you well and I hope it all comes together , as for now I am going to continue working on our Alabama network and see where it goes
