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This November, STAFDA members will gather in Anaheim to celebrate a remarkable accomplishment: 50 years as the premier association serving the construction and industrial industries. While we look back fondly on the memories, milestones and many wonderful people who have been part of this great association over the past half century, we also are focused on the future.
To remain the vital industry leader it is today, STAFDA must continue to grow and evolve. As we enter our 51st year and look toward the next 50, this organization continues to embrace fresh ideas, a bold membership and a thoughtful plan for what lies ahead.
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| Kim Robinson Interim Executive Director |
As a newcomer to STAFDA, I have been consistently impressed by our members’ dedication to supporting their peers. From the warm greetings at the registration desk when picking up convention badges to the willingness to pick up the phone and talk through the issues that matter most to the industry, STAFDA members are truly special.
Founded by 18 independent distributors in 1976, STAFDA has helped small to mid-size distributors, manufacturers, and independent rep agents build their businesses, strengthen relationships, and demo the latest in professional building equipment, tools, and hardware.
One constant throughout STAFDA’s first 50 years, and one that will continue into the next 50, is the professional staff dedicated to supporting members around the globe. Joining STAFDA HQ’s skilled team, the FrontlineCo team brings decades of management experience and a wide range of expertise. The STAFDA office now includes financial experts, creative marketing professionals, experienced convention and event planners, and multi-talented executives bringing fresh perspectives, new strategies and a bright outlook to the organization.
Current and future STAFDA members will be excited to see the innovations ahead.
Another critical part of the STAFDA team is our colleagues at Direct Business Media, who collaborate with us to create each edition of the STAFDA Directory.
This year, we launched new online member-management software to provide a consolidated information base, enhanced security and a member-accessible system for updating information. The DBM team has been an important part of that transition.
A special thank you goes to Peggy Huckabee, director of finance, production and administration at Direct Business Media for serving as our directory coordinator, her detailed work integrating the new platform with our legacy database and her dedication to creating the best possible STAFDA Directory.
Thanks also to Chris McClimon, managing partner of Direct Business Media, who acts as the directory’s publisher and Patty Wolf, STAFDA’s new industry partnership manager, for their efforts to connect with members and expand the impact of the annual convention and directory.
Thank you to all of you for warmly welcoming me and the FrontlineCo team to the STAFDA family. Watch your inboxes and each issue of Trade News for updates on upcoming innovations, new members from across the world, new product lines and information about what your Association has to offer.
To highlight the future, we have reimagined the convention format to honor the 50th Annual Celebration.
Here’s to the next 50 years of STAFDA!
CHEERS!
This article originally appeared in the October/November 2026 issue of Contractor Supply magazine. Copyright, 2026 Direct Business Media.
CONTRACTOR SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The October/November 2026 issue of Contractor Supply magazine is here!
In our cover story, Human to Human, MC Tool & Safety Sales competes with larger distributors by putting relationships, service and customer knowledge first.
Also in this issue are Industry Updates.
The 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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