In 1965 Bonnie and I were living at Fort Hamilton, NY while I was stationed at the Brooklyn Army Terminal.  I clearly remember us dragging a big, old, heavy, wooden desk away from a pile of old furniture that the government declared “surplus.”  We hauled that desk to the Base woodworking shop and together we repaired, sanded, stained, varnished and buffed it to a deep, shiny walnut finish.  Somehow we managed to move it to our Base apartment and carry it with us as we moved at least four more times until 1977.  That is the year we started Machinery Systems in our spare bedroom in Arlington Heights, IL.  There were two business phones in the house, one on that desk and the other one down stairs in the dining room.  When I was on the road, Bonnie answered that phone. 

I find it interesting that the image of that desk comes to me as I write this letter, my retirement announcement.  I want you to know that I will be stepping down as Chairman & CEO of Machinery Systems on March 31, 2008.  On that date, I will have completed the sale of Machinery Systems and Machinery Tooling & Supply to Ron Mager, current Machinery Systems President & COO, and Bob Cuthbertson, current Machinery Tooling & Supply President & COO.  These are excellent men.  I’ve worked with Ron for almost 20 years and Bob almost 10.  I know them to be very bright, honest and hard working people.  They bring with them different skills, gifts and ideas.  I’m sure you will be as encouraging and supportive to them as you were to me.

What am I going to do after March 31?  Well, we will not be moving to the north woods — or the Deep South.  Bonnie and I will stay in Arlington Heights.  I know that Bonnie is a bit nervous about me intruding into her daytime space, but I’m sure with time we’ll work that out.  We have a number of common interests like our family, grandchildren, church activities, and gardening.  At the same time, she has her volunteer work at our library and special friends, and I have my reading, puttering around the yard and house, and movies to occupy some of my time.  I do realize that there will be a significant block of time that I will be looking to fill.  I have been asked if I would be willing to explore starting a Christian CEO networking group.  Also, an out-of-state, college professor friend of mine asked if I would be interested in doing some writing with him.  These are several possibilities.  I will explore these and other ideas.

My first love is our industry.  The most enjoyable task for me has been to talk with our customers about the operation of their businesses.  I think if I could structure a perfect retirement job description, it would be as coach and mentor in our industry.  I’ve always been able to ask good questions and listen well.  I think it could be easy for me to continue to hear people out about their concerns and challenges and help them.  Anyway, I will think this through as a possibility too.  I do know this — whatever interests and responsibilities I embrace they will be few, but very deep. 

If you have read this letter so far you are important to me.  You have shared in making MSI and MT&S successful companies and for that I will be ever grateful.  I hope I am able to have some connection with you in my retirement.

Also, I want to apologize to anyone I may have offended willingly or unwillingly.  I ask for your forgiveness.   And finally, I want to thank those who created obstacles and roadblocks for me.  These challenges allowed me to truly experience life and grow.  God Bless you.

I will continue to keep you in my prayers.

Sincerely,