2025 Dealer’s Choice Award Recipients
• Full-Line Manufacturer: Kubota Canada
• Tractor Manufacturer: TYM Tractors
• Shortline Manufacturer: Bourgault Tillage Tools (FEMA Member)
• Outdoor Power Equip Manufacturer: Walker

2025 Gold Level Award Recipients
• Yanmar (FEMA member)
• Meyer Manufacturing (FEMA Member)
• Grasshopper (FEMA Member)

FEMA congratulates these companies and thanks them for their dedication to their dealer networks.

Source: | Member since 1957

In May, NAEDA advised members of nominations for one Director position in each region. Voting took place until June 12th, and we are pleased to announce the following directors in each region.

Canada Region: Landis Stankievech, Trochu Motors, Trochu, AB

Great Lakes Region: Jon Castongia, Castongia Tractor, Rensselaer, IN

Northeast Region: Brad Hershey, Hoober, Inc., Intercourse, PA

Western Region: Lance Hancock, King Ranch Ag & Turf, Robstown, TX

| Member since 1957

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The North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Nancy Malone as Vice President of NAEDA Canada. Malone brings over 20 years of association management experience with the last nine years as the Managing Director of the John Deere Construction & Forestry Equipment Dealers Association. Nancy comes to NAEDA with a deep commitment to advancing the interests of dealerships in Canada.

| Member since 1957

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Gary Manke is retiring after a career with NAEDA spanning over 49 years. During his tenure, Gary Manke played an instrumental role in shaping the future of the Midwest SouthEastern Equipment Dealers Association as its Executive Vice President/CEO. Most recently, Gary served NAEDA as its Senior Vice President of Manufacturer Relations.  In this role, Manke was able to successfully continue his long-standing commitment to advocating for dealer interests, and driving industry-wide initiatives that promoted growth, efficiency, and sustainability. His ability to foster collaboration among manufacturers, dealers, and policymakers has earned him the respect and admiration of colleagues and industry stakeholders.

As Manke prepares to step into the next chapter of his life, he leaves behind a legacy of accomplishments that will continue to shape NAEDA’s mission for years to come. “I have had the opportunity to work with and beside our members who are some of the most genuine people you will ever meet. Thank you members for making my career a rewarding experience in this industry.” His retirement marks the end of an era, but his influence will remain a guiding light for the Association and the equipment dealership sector as a whole. Manke will also continue to assist NAEDA as a consultant on an as-needed basis as NAEDA transitions his responsibilities.

John Schmeiser most recently served NAEDA as its Chief Operating Officer. Prior to this role, Schmeiser served as President and CEO of both the Canada West Equipment Dealers Association and the Western Equipment Dealers Association. Through these various positions, Schmeiser offered his deep expertise for the benefit of equipment dealers throughout Canada and the United States for more than 30 years. Schmeiser’s efforts and leadership were also instrumental in driving the important consolidation of equipment dealer associations that has resulted in a stronger association organization that today is responsible for government affairs and manufacturer relations for the benefit of equipment dealers at the federal level in both Canada and the United States as well as across 9 provinces and 40 states.

Schmeiser will continue to work in the equipment industry in various capacities as a key advisor and consultant for various stakeholders. As part of his commitment to the industry, NAEDA is proud to announce that Schmeiser will also be serving as NAEDA’s Brand Ambassador.

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NAEDA will continue to represent dealers on important industry issues, including those involving manufacturer relations, and to provide federal government affairs services in Ottawa and Washington, D.C. Following the completion of the merger, NAEDA will also expand its state and local governmental affairs support to cover 41 states in the U.S., as well as in nine Canadian provinces.

NAEDA will continue to work with all regional equipment dealer associations in North America effectively representing agricultural, construction, industrial, forestry, outdoor power, lawn and garden and/or turf equipment dealers.

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Dealers were asked to rate their manufacturers in 11 key business categories, such as product quality, availability, and technical support; parts availability, quality and return policy; communication, warranty, as well as providing a separate rating for overall satisfaction.

This year 2,000 individual dealers participated in the survey and responses were collected from 49 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and 10 Canadian provinces. On average, each respondent rated four manufacturers and 87% of the respondents were dealership owners or regional/store managers.

A copy of the report has been sent to NAEDA’s dealer members and manufacturers who received enough ratings to be included in this report. Manufacturer members of NAEDA are eligible to receive additional statistics not available in the basic report as well as dealer comments.

“This survey allows dealers to give honest, anonymous feedback which in turn helps the association identify areas for discussion in meetings with manufacturers as part of our ongoing manufacturer relations effort,” said Joe Dykes, VP of Industry Relations.” Manufacturers and dealers can identify rating trends and areas of improvement and success.”

Please direct any questions about the Dealer-Manufacturer Relations Survey to Joe Dykes at Surveys@NAEDA.com

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Kim celebrated 40 years as an equipment dealers association executive on November 1.

Kim is the son of a rural mail carrier and a part-time farmer. He grew up on a 300-acre farm that grew corn and beans and had the occasional hayfield in French Lick, Indiana.

Coming out of college, he started his career working for Federated Insurance. He was with Federated for three short years, and it was through that relationship that he began working with dealer associations. Eventually, in 1983, he met David Lucy, who was the Executive Director of the Indiana Implement Retailers Association at that time.

Dave was looking for a short-term field rep, but also a long-term “number two” – as he was planning to retire soon and was looking for his successor. However, he decided to hang around for another 17 years before Kim took the reins.

During his career, Kim has had the unique ability to wear two hats at the same time, and to wear them well. He found himself managing two separate associations simultaneously more than once.

Kim managed a number several of association mergers, including Indiana joining Kentucky to create Mid-America. He then ran both Mid-America and the Ohio-Michigan Equipment Dealers Association for 15 years before their merger, which formed United. In June 2017, he took leadership of United and EDA before they merged to form NAEDA in 2022.

Since Kim started his journey as an equipment association executive 40 years ago, the industry has seen many changes.

When Kim started, there were 34 regional equipment dealer associations, and he has been instrumental in several of those mergers. He has also seen first-hand the changing demographics of our dealerships, ownership groups and customer base. Most importantly, Kim has always had the dealers’ best interests at heart.

| Member since 1957

Michael Piercy, NAEDA’s VP of Dealer Development stated, “As a Dealer Development Manager, Shane Wilker will provide support to NAEDA’s Dealer Members, helping in crucial areas such as government affairs, manufacturer relations, training, consulting, and other essential services.

With a strong focus on cultivating mutually beneficial relationships, Wilker will play a vital role in enhancing the success and growth of dealerships in the Pacific Northwest and Far West.” Shane Wilker brings 35 years of experience in the agriculture aftermarket industry to his new role.

As the President and CEO of the esteemed Shane Wilker Company, Wilker has established himself as an expert in consulting and training, particularly in customer and employee focus groups.

Notably, he recently served as the Dealer Development Consultant for the Far West Equipment Dealers Association, providing comprehensive guidance to dealers on a wide range of topics and challenges.

“Shane has long been an invaluable asset to the dealer equipment industry, garnering immense respect from his peers,” remarked Piercy. “His extensive knowledge and expertise in dealer operations have been instrumental in helping numerous organizations find effective solutions to their most pressing issues. Furthermore, his strong dealer relationships underscore his exceptional ability to deliver consultative services in the equipment industry.”

Wilker’s contributions extend beyond dealer development, as he has collaborated with various colleges and universities on workforce development programs, actively working to attract new talent to the agriculture and construction industries. Additionally, his involvement with FIRA-USA has advanced the robotics and autonomous vehicles sectors, showcasing his dedication to driving innovation and progress in the industry.

“I am excited to work with NAEDA and contribute my knowledge and skills to the association and eagerly anticipate collaborating with dealer organizations to address their concerns and enhance productivity,” said Wilker.

With the addition of Shane Wilker as Dealer Development Manager for the Pacific Northwest and Far West Regions, NAEDA reaffirms its commitment to empowering equipment dealers and providing them with unparalleled support, further solidifying its position as a trusted industry leader.

| Member since 1957

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2023 Dealer’s Choice Award Recipients are:

• Full-Line Manufacturer: Kubota Canada

• Tractor Manufacturer: Branson Tractors

• Shortline Manufacturer: Meyer Manufacturing

• Outdoor Power Equipment Manufacturer: Scag

Gold Level Award Recipients for 2023 are:

Yanmar, LS Tractor, Kioti, Vermeer, Bourgault, Elmers Mfg., Great Plains Mfg., Unverferth Mfg., Degelman, Grasshopper, Exmark, Bad Boy Mowers, Shindaiwa and Wright Mfg.

NAEDA congratulates these companies and thank you for your dedication to your dealer networks.

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Dealers were asked to rate their manufacturers in 11 key business categories, such as product quality, availability and technical support; parts availability, quality and return policy; communication, warranty, as well as providing a separate rating for overall satisfaction.

This year, more than 2,500 individual dealers participated in the survey and responses were collected from 50 U.S. states and nine Canadian provinces. On average, each respondent rated four manufacturers and on average 84% were from dealership owners or managers.

A copy of the report has been sent to NAEDA’s dealer members and manufacturers who received enough ratings to be included in this report. Manufacturer members of NAEDA are eligible to receive additional statistics not available in the basic report as well as dealer comments.

“This survey allows dealers to give honest, anonymous feedback which in turn helps the association identify areas for discussion in meetings with manufacturers as part of our ongoing manufacturer relations effort,” said Joe Dykes, VP of Industry Relations.” Manufacturers and dealers can identify rating trends and areas of improvement and success.”

Please direct any questions about the Dealer-Manufacturer Relations Survey and Report to Joe Dykes at surveys@naeda.com.

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