Now it's time for change
The only real constant in life is change. We live in a world of chaos and change daily and yet instinctively we resist and fear change. It is the face of most people’s greatest fear, the unknown.
Our bodies are literally wired to prefer stability, which inherently suggests that change will inevitably be perceived as a threat.
As long as we’re comfortable where we are, any resistance to existing behaviors or habits requires more effort. When two or more changes come together, if one fails, it becomes easy to abandon the other.
Think about trying to enact a diet and adding exercise to your daily routine. If you skip exercising for a day, that’s likely the same day you have a scoop of ice cream.
Within industry associations, change is often challenged by several factors, including resistance to any alteration of the status quo.
Upon departing the 2025 STAFDA Annual Convention and Trade Show in Phoenix, I had the impression that those in attendance were facing that feeling of fear.
As of January 1, 2026, STAFDA is under the management of FrontlineCo, an association management company.
By all accounts, it sounds like a rather daunting change, but it’s also a necessary one.
For most of its existence, STAFDA has been maintained with only two employees to juggle services for nearly 2,000 members.
While both current CEO Georgia Foley and Membership Services Director Catherine Usher are amazing, even they have limits.
Most of the transition will occur behind the scenes so as not to disrupt the flow of STAFDA services and programs.
A search is underway for a new CEO, but Georgia and Cathy are staying on to ensure a smooth transition.
From my seat on the sidelines, I think it is appropriate to cite Eleanor Roosevelt, who said: “You have to accept whatever comes, and the only important thing is that you meet it with the best you have to give.”
I see this change as an evolution of STAFDA’s business model that will lead to positive developments for the association and the industry as a whole.
You can read more about the transition and the events that led to it in the STAFDA Show Report on page 28.
Also, in our cover story starting on page 16, learn more about how the family-owned and operated Industrial Ladder & Supply of Villa Park, Ill. Has overcome change throughout its 50 years in business going from cold calls to emails.
Ryan Whisner
rwhisner@directbusinessmedia.com
This article originally appeared in the December 2025/January 2026 issue of Contractor Supply magazine. Copyright, 2025 Direct Business Media.
CONTRACTOR SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The December 2025/January 2026 issue of Contractor Supply magazine is here!
Our cover story, Rising to the Challenge, Industrial Ladder & Supply in Villa Park, Ill. uses a classic service model to keep climbing the ladder of success.
Learn what happened at the 2025 STAFDA Convention and Trade Show, get a preview of World of Concrete 2026. Also in this issue are Industry Updates.
This digital edition, sponsored by BECK AMERICA Inc., is fully searchable and contains live links to every advertiser and new product listing. Click away!
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