The Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) has elected Diane Benck as its chairwoman for 2018.
The vice-president of general operations with West Side Tractor Sales of Naperville, Ill., Benck is
the first woman to chair the association, said a news release from AED. She succeeds outgoing chairman Wes Stowers, president of Stowers Machinery of Knoxville, Tenn.
“I am honored my colleagues in the industry have put their faith in me, and I am up to the task,” the news release quoted Benck.
A focus of her work will be to continue enhancing the AED’s educational opportunities for the next generation of equipment technicians. She also plans to continue the AED’s efforts to promote its position to Washington legislators.
“We are very pleased to have Diane taking the reins at AED. Her experience and leadership skills will help our association maintain its position as the leader in the equipment distribution industry,” the release quoted Brian P. McGuire, AED’s president and CEO. “Based on the comments out of Washington, D.C. recently in regard to an infrastructure bill, it will be a busy year for our association. We are glad to have Diane at the helm as we expand our reach in government affairs, ramp up our training offerings and continue to grow the AED Foundation.”