For nearly 20 years I’ve been attending trade shows, dealer shows, manufacturer shows and all kinds of events. There’s a certain group of people you all know that border on legend for their success, likability and charisma. They’re classics. Highly respected, beloved by their employees, the movers and shakers of this business.
They can be seen jet setting around the world, attending the most posh events, always the center of the action. They are the leaders. For some time now I have been joking with my peers that these guys are the print industry Rat Pack.
Who are they?
Rick Taylor – I’ve lost track of how many Executive of the Year awards Rick has won from The Cannata Report. (It was 9 times). Dealers love this guy. He’s blazed new trails and taken Konica Minolta to a level it had never been at before. You can’t have a bad time when Rick Taylor is in the room. Unless it’s the day after a Jayhawks loss…maybe then.
Mike Stramaglio – Mike is one of these guys I always heard about from my dad. Mike’s worked with dealers for 40 years in some of the most senior positions at companies such as Ricoh, Minolta and others. He does everything with class and grace. Mike’s just old school.
Doug Albregts – The outsider of this group. Doug didn’t come up through the copier channel as did others on this list and he jumped in with some fresh ideas and a different approach. Out of this group, Doug’s the cool one, playing guitar at his first dealer show and quickly building a level of trust with his dealers that could have been in great jeopardy with a change in both senior leadership and business models.
Jennie Fisher – In most cases a leasing company is a leasing company. You get rates, you complain you need better rates, sometimes you get them, sometimes you don’t. But GreatAmerica has thrived with copier dealers in a way others haven’t and there’s a reason for that. The people. They’re just awesome and it all starts at the top. Everyone I talk to loves working with Jennie and her team.
Jim D’Emidio – Jim is the face of Muratec. I’ve known him since he was my DSM back in my copier sales days in the early 90s in the Washington DC market. Jim gets relationship selling and Muraetc’s success seems built on that. People love this guy. He’s funny and is full of life.
It’s easy for me to call these guys out. I’ve spent a decent amount of time with them all, often in social situations. Here’s what some industry people had to say.
Rick
In the copier industry or as I refer to it these days, “Office Technology Industry” I have interacted with many bright, forward thinking, and just down right good guys! Rick Taylor embodies all of these characteristics and more.
Rick has put his stamp on the copier industry in many ways:
- Rick was the first executive to purchase a copier dealership that sold a competitive manufacturer’s brand. This created a lot of buzz, controversy, and excitement in the industry. In the end this provided the independent dealer with an exit strategy that did not exist before.
- Rick was the first executive to initiate “Rules of Engagement”, and then the rest of the manufacturers followed with their versions.
- Rick introduced what I believe to be the best production promotions in the industry which propelled my company to being a leader in the production business.
In closing, what makes Rick Taylor great to work with is his levelheadedness, his sense of right and wrong, and of course his great sense of humor, but his greatest strength is his compassion/ wellbeing for his family, employees, and friends.
Larry Weiss, president, Atlantic Tomorrow’s Office
Mike
I have worked with and been associated with Mike Stramaglio for over 30 years. He has always been a trail blazer. He is a charger and needs to get things done.
The best thing about Mike is you know exactly where he stands at all times. Like a fine wine he has mellowed with age but is still big, bold and always finishes strong. Mike is a doer, a thinker, a fierce competitor.
Mike does not sleep and I have proof via facebook, twitter, and LinkedIn. Mike your are the best!
John Kuchta, President, Solutions One
Doug
When I think of Doug and Sharp, the following two things come to my mind immediately.
Sharp culture, stabilizer – Captain Courageous!
Doug’s first speech at Sharps National dealer meeting was that he would strive to make Sharp an Irresistible Partner to do business with. Talk is cheap!!
Doug has achieved his goal and changed the culture at Sharp. Not an easy feat!
I don’t know of any executive in the imaging channel that has had to deal with the financial challenges Sharp Japan has undergone and kept the dealer channel intact and committed to Sharp.
Doug has not only been that stabilizing influence but has continued to grow the Sharp USA revenue and dealer channel.
Sharps revenue growth was achieved while all of the competitors were attacking Sharp.
Read all your articles whether Sharp will be here today or gone tomorrow.
Doug’s leadership has held Sharp together, Unbelievable job!
Bill Fraser, President, Fraser Advanced Information Systems
Jennie
ASI has been doing business with GALC and Jennie Fisher since 07. It’s hard to talk about one without the other because of Jennie’s team. I don’t know that I have ever seen a team that lives the same values and walks the same steps as Jennie’s team.
Jennie and GALC are an exceptional partner, which is rare. They care and operate like it. When we think of GALC and Jennie we say things like great communicators, real relationships, easy to do business with, small company feel with dynamic leadership and vision for helping their partners grow.
I will close with; the value Jennie and her team bring to relationships are all about 212. It’s all about the extra degree of effort they put into making you feel they have your back and are your trusted partner.
Ken Copeland, ASI Business Solutions
Jim
Jim D’Emidio is probably one of the most honest down to earth men I know in this industry. He understands how Muratec is positioned in the marketplace and uses that to his strength.
He continues to market a good product from a good company that stands behind what they sell. If I were in a dark alley, he is the type of guy I would want by my side. Jim is the greatest.
Al Scibetta, President, Copier Fax Business Technologies
Rick
There is no doubt that Rick Taylor is liked and respected by the dealer community. One reason is his enthusiasm, energy and love of our industry.
Another reason was the fact that when Rick arrived at Konica Minolta the dealer/branch conflict was out of control. Through strong, tough leadership, Rick quickly leveled the playing field. Many times, he personally investigated the conflict and rendered fair and timely decisions.
Rick’s background is another strength recognized by dealers. He has walked in our shoes because at one time he shared ownership of a dealer in California. That experience gave him a great and unique understanding of the dealer communities challenges and concerns.
Lastly, dealers appreciate his vision and leadership. Konica Minolta products, support and personnel have never been better. With his ongoing strategic IT services play, Rick has created a business model that astute dealers will follow to greater financial rewards and deeper, stronger relationships with their clients.
Barry Clark, CEO, Perry Pro Tech
Mike
What can I say about Mike? He’s a marketing machine, he always has the interest of the dealer community, and I can’t believe we still rides from Arizona to DC ever year for a cause.
He will always be a friend.
Chip Micelli, DPOE
Doug
Doug Albregts has brought strategic vision to Sharp’s office products business in the US and has driven profitability and growth during a time when that has been especially challenging. His leadership is characterized by exceptional team building combined with a joyful spirit of adventure in a competitive market.
A long record of success while working at top technology companies brought Sharp the bright, forward-thinking and energetic manager that Sharp dealers need and have come to expect. He leads an organization that has been innovative and bold, qualities that match his personality well.
And it is no secret that Doug can play the maverick, willing to make business decisions that take risks, navigate complex situations and ultimately bring great rewards. At the same time, Sharp dealers know a man that offers a quiet, reassuring confidence when talking one-on-one during a reception or at an industry event.
Appearing well in any company, Doug is a natural leader and the Sharp family feels fortunate to have him at the helm.
Terry Chapman, President, Business Electronics
Jennie
Jennie is definitely a trusted advisor to Dealer Principals in our industry. Her passion for her customers is clear and her integrity is beyond reproach.
This direct insight into all of our business strategies and plans puts her in a unique position, and coupled with her intelligence and big picture thinking, she is able to constantly shape and redefine our industry.
Debbie Dellaposta President, WPS Solutions
Jim
Jim has many wonderful attributes that he brings to us as a dealer.
First off he has the knowledge and wisdom of our industry that is second to none. To have him as the President of Muratec NA and to know as a dealer we can call him for advice on a situation regarding a potential client or for advice on how we can grow our company is worth more to us than words can express.
He has helped our company grow in the past 18 months tremendously and I know he will assist us on growing our company in many different ways in the future. He continues to offer advice on what we should do to continue to grow.
The other side of Jim is also great. The non business side of Jim, which is his outgoing personality and to crack a joke and have a drink with all of us and laugh. He is like one of us. The normal common man. He is humble and seems to remember where he came from.
The down side of Jim is his golf game and football teams he roots for. Jim actually believes he is a good golfer. We let him believe in that fantasy though. Now anyone that loses 14 balls in a round of golf in Hawaii and shoots 119+, I guess isn’t bad for a Washington Redskin fan.
Overall we are extremely happy to have met Jim and call him not only as the president of Muratec but, we can call him a friend of ours. We are proud to represent Muratec as our MFP line of choice and Jim makes its easy for us to say that.
Van Seretis, van@premium-digital.com
Rick
I still remember the excitement that I felt when I first heard Rick Taylor speak at a Konica Minolta dealer meeting a few years ago. Finally, a manufacturer truly understood that the customer was the number one priority and that if you did the right things to take care of the customer (both the end-user and the dealer), their business and loyalty would follow.
Since then, Konica Minolta has never failed to amaze me with the lengths that they will go to be a great partner – a culture that is perpetuated from Rick Taylor on down. Not only does KM have great products and people, but Rick also empowers his people to make decisions and do the right thing.
This makes doing business with his company easy and always such a pleasure. Just like he said at that dealer meeting years ago, “I want our customers to think of Konica in the same way that loyal Apple customers think of Apple.” That’s a vision that’s made into reality daily, by both Rick Taylor and Konica Minolta as a whole.
Juliana McKee, Vice President, Meridian Imaging Solutions
