Moving Fourward

Doyle Sumrall joins the podcast to discuss his start in the work truck industry and how he ended up an integral part of NTEA--the Association for the Work Truck Industry. 

In this episode, I bring two industry leaders together to discuss their time working for America's largest vehicle manufacturers. Brian Bowden was General Motors' Director of Fleet and Commercial Operations and John Ruppert was Ford Motor Company's General Manager-Commercial Vehicle Sales and Marketing. Their paths crossed when they retired from their OEM positions and went to work for Adrian Steel Company. I had the distinct honor to sit down with both to discuss culture at GM and Ford as well as at Adrian Steel Co. Both Brian and John also share how they continue to hone their leadership skills even after spending decades building high functioning teams. 

If you have ever set foot in a truck equipment distributor location, then chances are that you've seen some items from Buyers Products Company in Mentor, Ohio. On this episode, I speak with the leader of Buyers Products, Mark Saltzman. Mark has worked at the Buyers Products Company for 44 years. He is the 3rd generation owner and president of the company, but he has humble roots, starting in the warehouse and then moving into the office. In 1988, Mark took over the leadership of Buyers Products when his father-in-law left the company to run Viking Forge. 

On this episode, I chat with Steve Carey, president and CEO of NTEA -- The Association for the Work Truck Industry. Since 1998, Steve has held a series of leadership roles at NTEA, including senior director of operations and deputy executive director, prior to taking on the role of executive director in 2012 and president & CEO in 2018. Steve’s awareness and analysis of changes over the last 20-plus years provide him a unique perspective on shifts in competition, industry relationships and customer expectations. He earned an MBA from Baldwin-Wallace College (Cleveland, Ohio).

Mark Adamson is convinced that there is no business like snow business. After living in the south for half of his career he found a great reason to move back north…snow. Mark had been involved in the “green” industry for over two decades with John Deere Company before dedicating himself to the “white” industry. Mark obtained his MBA from Duke University with an emphasis in marketing. For the last 15 years Mark has been the Executive Vice President Douglas Dynamics, leaders in snow and ice control and manufacturers of Western, Fisher, Henderson, and SnowEx brands as well as Work Truck Solutions brands Henderson and Dejana.

Craig Bonham is the Vice President of Commercial Vehicle for Safe Fleet headquartered in Belton, Missouri. He is a high energy, cross functional sales executive with 40 years of sales and leadership experience in both the OEM and truck body, equipment, and distribution channels. He served as the 55th leader of NTEA--the Asssociation for the Work Truck Industry. He is a previous champion of the Chrysler National Product Walkaround competition and is a Pennsylvania Hunter-Trapper Educator. He resides in Pennsylvania with his wife and two boys.

Allen Birmingham is currently the Director of Sales at Woodbine Manufacturing, the creator of Tommy Gate (based in Woodbine, Iowa, and Phoenix, Arizona) and the North American distributor of Anteo, a hydraulic liftgate manufacturer (based in Molinella, Italy). Allen helps to form vital partnerships with distributors and customers, manages the sales teams for both Tommy Gate and Anteo, works closely with engineering on the development/ expansion of products, and helps to lead new ventures. He has been involved with the sales team at Woodbine Manufacturing for more than 30 years and is a former president of the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA). Allen was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, and received his undergraduate degrees in Political Science and History from the University of Arizona, as well as his MBA from the University of Phoenix. He started a family and raised his three children in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he currently resides.

Todd Davis, of Phenix Truck Bodies & Van Equipment (Pomona, California) joins me to share how his journey into the work truck industry began, and what advice he has for those just starting out in our industry.

Adam Keane is the executive vice-president of Allied Body Works Inc., in Seattle, Washington.

Adam joined Allied Body Works in 2004. In his current position, Adam bridges the gap between sales and operations, utilizing industry resources to find solutions when technical issues arise. He manages strategic alliances with business partners to expand company product lines.

In 2000, Adam went to Eastern Washington University on a football scholarship, where he studied business. While in college, he served as a seasonal intern on the Seattle Seahawks coaching staff. He currently resides in Washington with his wife and kids.

Some of my guests are so well known they need no introduction. For episode 2 of the Moving Fourward podcast that isn’t the case. Today I’ll be visiting with Matt Wilson, one-time business owner and former President of the NTEA. Matt loves problem solving and providing opportunities for people to grow in business. He is a graduate of Kent State University and also received his MBA from John Carroll University. While he had a previous career that allowed him to touch numerous industry across North America, he spent the past 15 years in the work truck industry. Recorded remotely in the Cascade range of mountains in Washington State.

On the inaugural episode, I chat with Jon Sievert, the outgoing chairman of the NTEA. Jon came to the work truck industry via the metal forming world where he started as an apprentice. He is a graduate of Cardinal Stritch University and also received his MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has been in our industry for the last 13 years. I hope you enjoy our chat.