The Deep South Equipment Dealers Assn. and Southern Equipment Dealers Assn. have merged to become the Deep Southern Equipment Dealers Assn., representing dealer members in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. The board of directors of each association had approved moving forward with the merger in January 2018. 

The association office is based in Baton Rouge, with Vincent R. Zebeau Jr. serving as its president, chief executive officer and corporate secretary.

Officials said the combined organization is better positioned to provide more access to competitive programs and dealer services, enhanced training and membership recruitment, and act as a unified voice for manufacturer relations and legislative issues.

The new association will be overseen by a board of directors consisting of members from the 5 states represented geographically and by manufacturer lines.

Officers are board Chairman Leland Morrison, of M&L Industries in Baton Rouge, La.; Vice Chairman, Jeff Adams, of Scott Truck LLC in Monroe, La.; Treasurer Jeremy Gantt, of Ruston Tractor Inc. in Ruston, La.; and Immediate Past Chairman Ricky Smith, of Smith Tractor Co. in Jay, Fla.

Directors are Ryan Abell, Abell & Son Inc. in Lake Charles; Randy Anderson, Aimtrac in Smithville, Ga.; Mickey Bates, Clanton Tractor & Equipment in Clanton, Ala.; Peggy Franz, Franz Tractor Co., in Bradenton, Fla.; Roger Harrod, Georgia Deer Farm in Roopville, Ga.; Greg Hollier, Sunshine Quality Solutions in Bunkie, La.; Todd Huggins, Mississippi Ag in Yazoo City, Miss.; Lester Killebrew, SunSouth in Abbeville, Ala.; Rob Richter, Sunshine Quality Solutions in Donaldsonville, la.; Bob Rodriguez, George’s Mower Service in Riverview, Fla.; Thomas Soileau, Progressive Tractor Co. in Bunkie, La.; Jerry Toomey, Toomey Equipment Co., in Theodore, Ala.; and Josh Vines, Goldman Equipment Co. in West Monroe, La..