Remember to Say Thank You

Last month we lost industry stalwart and friend Dave Quint. I remember the first time having a conversation with Dave when I sat with him at breakfast in St. Louis at a Business Technology Association (BTA) event 7 years ago. Dave had explained that he was going to be taking on the CEO role at Advanced Systems, and had decided to get involved with BTA to be more active in the industry.

 Dave was never a guy to take commitments lightly. Since our first conversation that Dave and I had about him having a stronger commitment in BTA, Dave was recognized as 2014 BTA Volunteer of the Year, and served as BTA National President in 2015-16.

 Dave still kept going after that. In the Fall of 2016, I was having dinner with Dave at a Copier Dealers Association (CDA) meeting in Napa. Dave explained to me that since he had completed his term as BTA National President, he had decided to take on a 3 year commitment to run the annual Service Managers Meeting for CDA. Dave told me that he was looking to expand on the previous format of those meetings, and asked me if I would be willing to help by bringing in a speaker resource for the meeting, and sponsoring that in the Spring. I told Dave: “Let’s do it. If everyone likes it, we’ll do it again.” And we did for those next 3 years.

 Back in May I was in Denver for Dave’s 3rd and final CDA Service Managers Meeting. On one of the morning breaks I found Dave to say goodbye on my way to the airport, and thank Dave for asking me to participate in this three years ago. I had a fun time doing it, and Dave thanked me for my support.

 Three months later, I was shocked and saddened to hear of Dave’s sudden passing. It will be strange to go to future BTA and CDA events, and not see Dave there.

 If you are attending BTA Grand Slam this week, remember to thank your BTA leaders. It’s volunteer work that they do over and above the everyday responsibilities of their business to help us learn and grow as an industry. Perhaps one day you may even follow Dave’s lead and volunteer with BTA.

 Rest easy Dave, and thank you for all you have done for BTA and CDA.