Region 1
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Dave Plowman (Incumbent)
Company: PDQ Door Co Inc
City/State: Hampden, Maine
Bio and Candidate Statement: Dave Plowman has lived in Maine for his whole life, going to university at the University of Southern Maine. Going on more than 33 uears of marriage, Dave has proudly raised four children and eight grandhildren. Free time is spent between spent hunting, fishing, shooting, and of coursespoling the grandchildren! Dave has received: 2009 Hampden Business Association Businessman of the Year, and PDQ Door has reeived the 2011 IDA Joe Caputo Dealer of the Year Award. Service history includes: 2009 through present as friend of the NRA, eleven years coaching youth softball, four years fundraising for the Boy Scots of America, seven years in the Hampden Town Council, two years on the P.D.A. of New England Board of Directors, and 27 proud years in the overhead door industry.
Candidate Statement: "I have attended all but two of the IDA/DODA Expos over the past 27 years. PDQ Door was one of the first IDEA accredited dealerships in New England. IDA/IDEA helps make our door dealerships more professional. As I wind down my career and begin passing the day duties of running P.D.Q. Door to others I feel that I now have the time to give some of my time and energy back to IDA. Over the years, IDA has given me a wealth of knowledge and personal connections throughout the door industry. I am honored to help strengthen and grow IDA and IDEA."
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Region 3
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Jonathan Stewart
Company: Midwest Garage Door Company
City/State: Pawnee, Illinois
Bio: Jonathan Stewart is Owner/Vice President of Midwest Garage Door Company in Pawnee, Illinois. He is a second generation door guy and has been in and around the industry since 1994 when his father started Midwest. This was back in 1994 and at that he really never knew that he would be stuck in this great industry for the rest of his life. After being in and around the industry for 25+ years, he has learned the ins and outs of all aspects of the industry. He started helping his father by doing general warehousing tasks, moved into a commercial installation and service position, and through the office and administration ranks. Jonathan also serves as a Director on the board for the Central States Door Dealer Association since 2012, and as President of their St. Louis chapter since 2012. Jonathan strives to help advance the garage door industry as many factors change and evolve the industry.
Outside of work Jonathan enjoys spending time with his wife Allison and three daughters Kaylie, Paislie, and Skyelie. He also is a volunteer firefighter and assists the local EMS unit and in 2018 started volunteering time to the local community youth group and as assistant coach for the Pawnee High School Bass Team, to help guide and develop the local youth. His hobbies include recreational and tournament fishing, golfing, camping, boating, and family vacations to Disney or some tropical Island. He also enjoys going to sporting events of any kind and live music.
Candidate Statement: Over the years I have work with the IDA YPN and CSDDA to help combat issues, increase understanding, and involvement in in IDA. With this, working with many great people and members in this great industry I love, I realize that I want to have more involvement. Not only to help improve my role and knowledge in this industry, but to help all people, business, and affiliations here. I want to help tackle the major issues, help the creative force come up with better ways, and help increase the involvement of members, vendors and all. This is a great industry and we can make it even better. |
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TJ Higgins
Company: Higgins Overhead Door
City/State: Crown Point, Indiana
Bio: Tim “TJ” Higgins Jr. is a second-generation door guy from Northwest Indiana and Vice President of Higgins Overhead Door. He learned at a young age as many have in the industry: hands-on with Dad. He taught TJ everything that he knows about the business, but the most important lesson he taught was the values of hard, quality work and to always find a lasting solution to the customer’s problems. TJ worked many summers at the business and joined full time after two years at Purdue University in 2011.
Throughout his time at Higgins Overhead Door, TJ has helped to develop new customer relations, improved vendor and industry relations, and tried to improve upon the foundations set in place by his parents. He has also set out to learn about all aspects of the door industry and to show his and the company’s commitment to the industry. TJ is the IDEA accreditation holder for Higgins Overhead Door and also is currently in the process of obtaining Master Technician certification. He encourages all his technicians to pursue IDEA certification. TJ has been invited to participate in multiple manufacturer’s dealer councils due to his business insight, product knowledge, and willingness to share his views to better the industry. He does all of this while still doing installs and service work!
TJ is proudly married to his wife of over 6 years and has two wonderful children: a 3 year old daughter and 5 month old son. He loves to travel with his family and hopes to be able to make it to Disney World with them soon!
Candidate Statement: "I have dedicated my life to learning everything there is to know about the door industry as possible and to be involved with helping to better myself and the industry as a whole. Every day I wake up and ask “how can I do better for my customers, the company, and my family?” and I want to take this question to the IDA and begin to work on things that can better the door industry as a whole. From getting our company accredited to pursuing personal certifications, I strive to gaining as much knowledge as possible to help answer that never-ending question. I want to take this passion I have for doors and learning and help the IDA and its members do better.
My father always taught me to never say “I can’t do this” and to find a way to make it work. Not just any way to make it work, but a way that will last the customer a long time and that you can be proud to stamp your name on. I believe that there isn’t anything that we cannot do together as an industry and that the IDA should do things that we all can stamp our names on. I’d love to be apart of the IDA leadership and put my knowledge and perspective to work for the entire door industry!" |
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Adam Weber
Company: AE Door Sales
City/State: Cincinnati, Ohio
Bio: Adam Weber has lived in Ohio for 39 years. He resides in Cincinnati with his beautiful wife and three wonderful daughters, ages 15, 13, and 12. In his spare time he enjoys traveling with his family and hanging out with his friends around the pool or bonfire. You can catch him on the weekends watching sports and throwing just about anything into his smoker and serving his family and friends. Adam has been in the garage door industry his whole life watching his dad begin a successful business
over 40 years ago. He started working for AE Door & Window in the warehouse 18 years ago and worked his way up to become the President with the growing company for the last 10 years. Adam recently expanded the Cincinnati location and is now building a brand new Kentucky store to match. He attended Florida Southern College and graduated on a Water Ski Scholarship. Venue Magazine has named Adam the Top Business Man 40 under 40; he was only 28 when he received the award which is pretty outstanding. Adam was the President of the Home Builders Association here in Cincinnati for several years. He was also on the Clopay Advisory Board for 5 years. Adam is the President of two other distribution companies in Cincinnati, Tri-State Door and United Door Group.
Candidate Statement: "I grew up around the industry my entire life, my dad was one of the original members of the Doda Board. I went away to college and came back to continue to help in any way I could. At this point and time in my life at 39 I feel like I have the energy to give and help bring new ideas to the industry and bring IDA up to what we consider standard for our industry. Our company has won the Joseph Caputo Dealer of the Year Award in 2010 and the Jerry Reynolds Award in 1999. I know what it means to be a part of IDA, my company has been a long standing member and I feel like I can help
lead us in the right direction to continue to make IDA the standard for the International Door Association." |
Region 8
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Robynn Nehl (Incumbent)
Company: Overhead Door Company of Gillette
City/State: Gillette, WY
Bio: I work for Overhead Door Company of Gillette in Gillette, WY. I have been full time in the industry for 11 years and part time for 20. I was given a unique opportunity by being born into it with family running door companies in two different states. My largest career accomplishment was becoming the first female IDEA Certified Master Technician. Outside of the access industry I am a mom of 3 kids and a menagerie of four legged animals. I am also involved on a board of a local non profit organization that helps families pay for emergency veterinary care.
Candidate Statement: "I started out with IDA as a member of the YPN in 2015. My goal on the IDA board is to add a younger generation perspective to how we can get more people involved and keep them active in our industry. As everyone knows it’s harder to keep things fresh and boost involvement and I would like to help by adding the technicians perspective. " |
Industry/Supplier Representatives
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Erin Fimbel (Incumbent)
Company: Fimbel Architectural Door Specialties
City/State: Flemington, New Jersey
Bio: Erin Fimbel has a Bachelor’s Degree of Sociology and Emergency & Environmental Management from the University of Delaware.
Fimbel is President of Fimbel Architectural Door Specialties. She worked her way up through various office positions, to product manager, and then President of the company. She is responsible for planning both short and long-term goals and directives, overseeing production, and working to further the innovative vision Fimbel doors have become known for.
Fimbel has served on the board of the Professional Door Association of New England, including as the PDANE’s Marketing Committee Chair. She has been recognized as a Leading Women Entrepreneur, and has been a recipient of the Smart CEO Family Business Award.
In her spare time, she enjoys fostering dogs.
Candidate Statement: "My family has been in the door industry for 94 years. We were honored to receive the IDA Heritage Award in 2016 and I would be proud to serve an industry which has supported my family for over four generations.
One of Fimbel’s values is to “make others successful.” The PDA and IDA have a similar message and demonstrate that a rising tide lifts all boats. Through my involvement in the PDA, I’ve learned the importance of building relationships, and the great things that come from working together and respecting one another. I’m grateful for my involvement on the PDA Board and for the connections I’ve made. My competitors have become my friends. I’ve elevated my business and myself as a leader. I want others to have the opportunity to grow and improve as I have. I’m passionate about sharing my experience and would be honored to take the next step and serve on the IDA Board.
Thank you for considering me for this position.” |
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John Hart
Company: Service Door Industries
City/State: Mississuaga, Ontario
Bio: John Hart has a psychology degree from York University where he also played Canadian university football.
He started in the industry in 1998 working for Controlled Parking a regional gate automation installation & service company. During those first years in the industry, John had various volunteer positions (including President) for the Ontario Chapter of the Canadian Fence Industry, a Canadian affiliate to the American Fence Association.
In 2002 he accepted the position of Product Manager for Service Door Industries (SDI), a Canadian Producer of Rolling Steel Doors & distributor of related products. His role was to develop a national distribution strategy for gate automation and specialized drive systems from Europe, the USA, and Asia designed to meet the specific needs of the Canadian Market.
During that time, he also served on the technical committee for CSA where he worked on the CSA22.2 no 247 standard for door & gate operators. This was until the standard was replaced by UL325.
In 2012 he was promoted to General Manager and with the acquisition of SDI by Merik Group he was promoted to CEO in 2017.
As CEO of SDI, John is involved in all aspects of the company and has been the driving force behind SDI’s Canadian expansion which now has locations in Calgary, Vancouver, and soon Montreal along with 4 buildings in Mississauga, Ontario.
John is also active in the Merik Group working on cross-border strategies, products & operations. He enjoys working with team members in USA, Mexico & Latin America as such he is learning Spanish to assist with internal and external communication.
John is married with two sons and has coached recreational & high school football over the years. His oldest son is playing football for the University of Toronto while studying Kinesiology. His youngest son is following the same path to become a university athlete and looks forward to playing University or College Football in 2023. As such John now enjoys watching his sons play football from the stands.
Statement: I have been privileged to meet and work with numerous people in our industry over the years. These interactions have given me a broad range of knowledge on products, systems, and companies. By being a member of the IDA board, I will be able to pass this knowledge on to members and as such improve the industry. Knowledge is only valuable when shared.
Candidate Statement: I have been privileged to meet and work with numerous people in our industry over the years. These interactions have given me a broad range of knowledge on products, systems, and companies. By being a member of the IDA board, I will be able to pass this knowledge on to members and as such improve the industry. Knowledge is only valuable when shared. |
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Mason Bockert
Company: Firelands Hardware
City/State: Monroeville, Ohio
Bio: Mason Bockert is the Vice President of Operations at Firelands Hardware, his family’s business. He started off in the stock room and worked up through fabrication, sales, and now management. During his time with Firelands Hardware Inc., Bockert has helped identify new opportunities to assist the company to grow and implemented internal changes that have improved efficiency. Most days, he is bouncing between his desk, where he does Door Quotes, Order Entry, Sales Calls, Customer Service, and the Warehouse, where he Pulls Orders, Assembles Products, Fabricates Steel Doors and Frames, and many other duties.
When not at work, Bockert spends time with his wife and two small children, home brewing beer, and enjoying the outdoors.
Candidate Statement: “Since becoming involved with the IDA in 2016 I have been impressed with the membership. The dealers that I have come to know are hardworking and dedicated individuals. I come from an adjacent industry, commercial hollow metal doors, and I see many of IDA members working with steel doors and frames daily and not having the support that they need with them. I can bring a new perspective and opportunities to the IDA, with the background that I have, that will benefit the IDA Membership and help it grow and recover after 2020. I would like to help the IDA offer new training and education material; to help the dealers expand their product knowledge and improve their comfort level that will allow them to grow their businesses.”
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Sean Baird
Company: Lynx Industries, Inc.
City/State: Mississauga, Ontario
Bio: Sean Baird is the current Territory Sales Manager at Napoleon/Lynx, covering all of Canada with the exception of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). He is a proud and passionate member of the overhead door industry for the past 15 years. His first foray into the world of overhead doors was while working in the Millwork dept, at a big box store in the early 2000’s. In early 2006 he jumped directly into the door industry, working for a large garage door dealer in London, ON. It was there that he developed a deep appreciation for all things overhead door related and gravitated towards the more technical aspects of the industry because he is a “hands on” type of person.
From there Baird joined Linear (now Nortek Control) in 2010 as a District Sales Manager, initially covering Eastern Canada, but then eventually covering all of Canada, specializing in both residential and commercial GDO’s, Gate operators, Access Control Systems, and Radio Controls. During his time at Linear, in wanting to constantly improve and enhance his skills, he earned the IDEA certification as both a Certified Door Dealer Consultant, as well as a Certified Automated Gate Systems Designer.
In 2017, he decided to make the move to Clopay, as Account Manager, taking care of their dealer base customers, covering Ontario and Manitoba, which quickly changed into covering all of Eastern Canada. An early highlight of his time at Clopay was being awarded Account Manager of the Year 2018 for the Canada division. In Spring of 2020, his time at Clopay came to an end due to restructuring as a result of COVID-19. Not one to be held down long, he was excited to join the team at Napoleon/Lynx in August of 2020 and looks forward to having a long and prosperous career with these great folks.
He has served on the National Board of Directors for the Canadian Door Institute (CDI) since 2014 in varying capacities, and currently hold the position of Vice President.
He has a strong belief in education in general, but especially as it pertains to the industry. Hence the IDEA certifications. A wise man he knows once said to him “there are very few situations in life, that cannot be improved with education”. He truly believes in the direction that the IDA is moving and wish to be part of that change.
Baird is a happily married father of 2. In his personal time, Baird is a die-hard sports fan, with NFL being at the top of the list, despite being Canadian (hockey is #2), and of course he loves spending time with the family and helping to coach some of his children’s sports teams when he can. He also plays Slo-Pitch on the weekends during spring and summer.
Candidate Statement: “I have been part of this great industry of ours for the past 15 years and have become very passionate about it! I firmly believe that the way to achieve IDA’s Vision is through education, innovation and professionalism. IDA, being an organization of manufacturers and professional door dealers, is uniquely positioned to lead that change in our industry now and going forward, and I want to be part of that change.
I would bring knowledge and experience gained in my capacity as the Vice President of the Canadian Door Institute to a position on the IDA board. I believe that this experience, as well as my unique perspective on the industry, can be of great use to the board and all of the IDA members. I have seen things from both sides of the fence, both as a professional dealer, and also as a manufacturer representative. This has given me the personal experiences of going through the day to day challenges and victories that we all meet each day, dealer and manufacturer alike.
It is this combination of knowledge, experience, and passion for our industry that I believe can make me a valuable addition to an already strong board of directors.
Thank you for your consideration. |