President’s Message
Terry Kiwala
Taking Stock
Whenever I travel to the National Business Office in Colorado Springs, I stay at the Antlers Hotel. Breakfasting at the same table where I sat before the start of the November 2013 MBCA board meeting, I remembered how nervous I was having decided to run for president; now I smile as I think about the success we’ve had. This is a good time to share my pride in all our accomplishments, as well as my hopes for the Mercedes-Benz Club of America.
In late 2013, MBCA had finally turned the financial corner with a balanced budget, but it has taken time to replenish reserves and establish financial viability. I’m happy to report that each of the past four years has been profitable; we’ve diversified our revenue sources, optimized investment income, and initiated careful cost controls. Now we have a healthy $750,000 in reserves and that is growing.
But the club’s greatest assets are not financial. Our first asset is our members, engaged and working together as never before, who make our organization successful. As I travel to club events all over the continent, I see that the number of active members at club events is growing as section leaders host events that appeal to a broader group of MBCA members. I’ve also noted a common theme – an enthusiastic, can-do attitude that fosters membership satisfaction and helps our club continue to grow.
Our second asset, our elected board members, have made incredible progress as a leadership team. Regional Directors are involved in Section affairs and events and the Directors at Large have been focusing on strategic issues. I challenge our board members to commit to the same constructive leadership that I have witnessed these past four years.
Our third asset, The Star, remains the premier Mercedes-Benz enthusiast publication in the world, garnering awards every year since Gary Anderson assumed the role of Editor-In-Chief in 2008. The Star is continually praised by club members and is respected in the automotive community. The magazine consistently emulates the same high standards as Mercedes-Benz and the MBCA, and will continue to unite our members under the direction of Gary and his talented staff.
Our fourth asset is our technology platform, upon which the club depends for its website, membership data, financial information, and so many other computerized applications. It’s come a long way, but has a long way to go. In my opinion, MBCA is at the bottom of the second in the game to upgrade its technology. But our staff’s knowledge is helping us make strategic investments of capital in our technology platform.
Our fifth asset is our National Business Office staff; they are, quite simply, the best! When I became president, I also filled in as Executive Director for several months and realized how much we needed a dedicated and dynamic full-time leader at the NBO. I’ve never won a raffle, but we all won when Mike Regennitter joined us. Mike’s leadership has increased the pace of progress at MBCA from that of a 240D to a C63! Long-time employees Cindy Tumbleson and Geni Wallen have never been better at managing member services and member satisfaction; I cannot thank them enough for all they do. Ryanne Dias is taking on additional responsibilities as time goes on. Marcus Norwood is an experienced information-technology developer and project manager, and has made significant improvements in the website and software. Annaliesa McBride brings a new level of professionalism to member services that is, based on feedback I hear from members, appreciated and acknowledged.
At a recent Southwest Regional event, I was asked what I thought was my greatest accomplishment as president of MBCA. My reply was that our club is finally running as a business and is positioned well for the future: Building on a strong financial base and the foundation of our intangible assets, we are well positioned for that success.
Together, we have all come a long way; again, we have a long way to go. Our section leaders and our excellent staff are the reasons we have made so much progress, and you are the reason we will make significant progress in the future.
When I return to the Antlers Hotel, I look forward to sitting in the same seat for breakfast, and I’m sure I’ll be reflecting on the MBCA’s continued success. We can only go up from here … breakfast is on the ground floor, after all.
To be continued …