Tom Rosztoczy, Stotz Equipment (2013 Large Multi-Store Dealership of the Year) will speak at the 2015 Dealership Minds Summit in a Dealer-to-Dealer panel.

Dealership Minds Summit Meeting Binder

Farm Equipment has launched a new 13-part video series of presentations from the first-ever Dealership Minds Summit held in Kansas City, Mo., in early 2013. The entire series is available for viewing at Farm-Equipment.com.

Tim Young, General Manager, Young's Equipment (2009 Dealership of the Year). Young founded his company by taking over a bankrupt dealership in 1988. Today, it is a 7-store, 200-employee operation that recently passed $210 million in sales. A lifelong learner who recently returned to earn his MBA, Young shares a detailed plan (including education/training, timing and execution) for grooming the third generation, his son, into the business. Privately-held, family-owned enterprises still have a place in this industry, says Young. "It gives you the flexibility to be nimble in the market and go above and beyond when taking care of the greatest asset a business has; it's people."

Keith Kreps, Vice President of Agriculture, RDO Equipment Co. (2010 Dealership of the Year). The nation's second-largest equipment dealer group (62 stores in 9 states), RDO Equipment Co. learned during its publicly held years (1997-2003) that growth opportunities are stunted without a stellar training and development program. Today, RDO Equipment Co. considers training a core strength. Its initiative includes multiple opportunities for all team members, and an impressive curriculum to bring along the next generation of management talent. Kreps, who joined the company in 1998 after working in the automotive industry, is responsible for all the firm's agricultural dealerships.

Clint Schnoor, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Agri-Service Inc. (2012 Best-in-Class Dealership). The 9-store Agri-Service celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2010 with an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) that made each of its 170 employees "owners" in the business. Schnoor, who oversaw the planning, structure, transaction and implementation of the firm's ESOP, explains the pros/cons of employee ownership, the cultural and operational changes involved and shares solid advice 2 years into the change.

Mark Foster, Ag Division Manager, Birkey's Farm Stores Inc. (2007 Dealership of the Year). Mark Foster, who has been with this 13-store dealer group for 29 years, outlines the decisions and lessons learned with this unique 6-owner arrangement, the keys to structuring buy-ins/buy-outs and how a solid board of owners (all with direct-line management responsibilities) is finding total-entity success by subordinating to the firm's larger concerns.

David Meyer, Chairman & CEO of Titan Machinery Inc. (2006 Dealership of the Year). David Meyer started in the dealership business as a partner in two dealerships in 1976. Today, he heads up a giant 98-store dealer operation that employs 2,500 and covers 9 states and two European nations. You'll understand the logic of M&A during this economic climate as well as the how's, why's and challenges of establishing itself as a publicly-held entity.

Eric Johnson, Partner, Johnson Tractor Inc. (2012 Dealership of the Year). Second-generation dealer-principal Eric Johnson co-owns the 3-store Johnson Tractor with his brother, Leo. While recording an aftermarket absorption rate envied by most dealers, Johnson (who joined the firm in 1982) maintains there's no validity to the oft-preached maxim that parts and service can support a business during a downturn.

Mike Hedge, CFO, Treasurer and Shareholder, Birkey's Farm Stores Inc. (2007 Dealership of the Year). Mike Hedge was a public-accounting auditor and controller in the hotel business prior to joining Birkey's in 1992, where he oversees the firm's finance, accounting, information systems, HR and marketing. Recognized as one of the best financial minds in the industry, Hedge explains why the majors' push for market share MUST intersect with the dealers' paramount need for cash flow and profitability.