In the blog.

Debt of Gratitude


Marek Dallas Division President John Hinson wrote the following President’s Message for AWCI's Construction Dimensions magazine. Hinson is the 2015-2016 President of AWCI.

It has been an honor and pleasure working with you and the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry the last 12 months. I started this journey several years ago, working my way through the chairs on the AWCI Executive Committee with a mindset of giving back to the industry that has provided so much for me, my family and teammates here at Marek for many years. I didn’t realize that I would gain more than I ever imagined from the experience. By that I mean access to more resources than I knew existed, and to more professional relationships cultivated and more friends made than I expected.

You do not know what you do not know, until you open a door and explore. I am blessed and appreciate this opportunity handed to me.

Thank you to all the AWCI staff who made my job so much easier. It felt like a journey in the back of a cushy limousine, with you doing all the driving (work).

I also owe a big thanks to the AWCI members who have taken an active role in board and committee meetings, educational sessions and other events in the association. You are the face of your companies, and you are the ones who make this association a success. I look forward to the benefits that our industry will recognize because of your hard work.

At our INTEX Expo’s opening brunch in April, retired General Russel Honoré spoke about planning for the future by creating strategies to overcome disaster before disaster happens. “Don’t be stupid, and don’t build stupid,” said Honoré, who served as the commander of Joint Task Force Katrina, helping to get New Orleans (the host city of AWCI’s Convention) back on its feet. It was a great event and a fantastic turnout.

I must reiterate what I have been saying all year. It’s about our people, and there are things that we can change and things that we cannot change. Plan your future, prepare your team and create an avenue for a successful legacy. Don’t expect others to do it for you because then it would be their legacy, not yours. Change the things that you can, and do your best to prepare for those things that God changes for you. Good luck and best wishes and, again, thank you for the honor of serving our industry.