Vision Forward: Looking Back With Gratitude, Ahead With Confidence

In her final message as CEO, Tracy Mulqueen recognizes the members and leaders who have helped transform FEDA and pushed it toward becoming a best-in-class industry association.

By Tracy Mulqueen
CEO
FEDA

With my retirement coming up in June, this marks my final column in FEDA News & Views. Before I leave, I’d like to build on the sentiments I expressed in my letter to members in January by sharing a little more appreciation for everyone who has been a part of this journey and my confidence in where FEDA is headed next.

First, I truly thank FEDA’s members, board, leadership groups, and incredible staff for supporting the organization and all the things we’ve been working to accomplish for the past nine years. I am grateful for the help and encouragement that so many individuals provided me, especially the board officers I worked with during my early days at FEDA. Their willingness to move the organization in new governance and operational directions set the stage for all the success that has come after. Since then, many others have also stepped up to support FEDA’s initiatives and push forward the many new projects that are now actively improving how distributors lead and perform in their organizations and the supply chain. I also appreciate the patience and support our staff and volunteers demonstrated when we worked — and reworked — the FEDA Annual Executive Leadership Conference into a solutions-forward event that provides a balanced experience of industry-specific initiatives, technology projects, high-level business education, legislative and regulatory activities, and ramped-up networking opportunities.

Finally, I’m especially happy to be able to thank my successor, Joe Durham, current chief operations officer and FEDA’s next CEO. Over the past few months, I’ve talked a lot about what a smart and talented leader he is, but I also know he is ready to take on the never-ending work of propelling FEDA into the organization it is meant to become. I’m confident he will drive FEDA to surpass other associations in supporting its members, embracing new technology, bringing about real improvements in the supply chain, and positioning foodservice equipment and supplies distributors to achieve sustained growth and lasting success. Joe’s leadership is a real gift to FEDA and this industry.

Of course, I am very much looking forward to finally spending lots of quality time with the best husband in the world, as well as seeing more of my family and friends. But before I step into this much-anticipated next chapter, I want you to know how much I have enjoyed serving FEDA and the distributors who make it a truly special organization. I have learned so much from the people in this industry, lessons I’ve been proud to share with the FEDA staff and that will provide a foundation on which to grow the organization.