Note to Self: Reflecting on 25 Years By Polly Shea Editor/Publisher When I took over publication of the Electrical Rebuilder’s Exchange in January 1992, I couldn’t think past that first issue, much less 300 more. Of the 400 issues that have rolled off the press since the paper’s inception, 300 bear my mark. It’s second nature now, but I felt completely overwhelmed at the time. Everybody loved Ralph. He had poise and charm, and a way with words. He was a seasoned newspaperman when he started the Exchange. I, on the other hand, had a middle management background in layout, design, advertis- ing, print production, photography, typesetting — and a touch of trade show experience. Stepping up to run the paper wasn’t the problem. Not know- ing the industry was. Yet we were to be the champions of the little guy. Those first phone calls to rebuilders and suppliers necessitated a full five minutes each of prayerful meditation before picking up the phone to get my first issue together. And the next trade show was just a handful of months away. Meeting Jim Maxwell, Dick Vensel, Ron Carlson, Jim Banner and many others face-to-face took a lot of the fear out of my new responsibilities. I had previously met the Grubes at Ralph’s funeral. Their warmth and sin- cerity comforted me considerably. “But Exchange founders Margaret and Ralph Albares in 1987. res, Editor/Publisher Polly Shea and Associate Editor Traci Matt earlier this year. these are all Midwesterners,” I thought. To my pleasant surprise, I found, for the most part, the same genuineness throughout the industry. Sal Saccullo and Bob Wagner instantly felt like old friends. I was falling in love with the industry. Having already done time in the cor- porate world and feeling sorely disillu- sioned, the opportunity to work with small businesses was a real treat that later became a passion. The people in the electrical rebuilding industry have always been the impetus to keep me going. Publishing took second place. That isn’t to say there aren’t some real characters out there, but the overwhelm- ing support of the majority helped keep me focused. And still does. The paper went through some changes after I bought it. Although Ralph initiated the first January “Buyer’s Guide,” over the years I took it to a whole new level. At its peak we listed 175 suppliers for the con- venience of our readers. Consequently, I became an expert in information gather- ing and hand-holding. The spring “All New Review,’ where we publish every- thing new in the industry from parts to products to services, debuted in 1993. Our circulation grew considerably in the 90s as did the size and content of the paper. Our largest issue was published in May 1997, was 40 pages and included 50 advertisers. But that was before the “fall”’ Just as Rob Buksar predicted, our international trade agreements would take a toll. Faithful writers have been the back- bone of the paper over the years. Their dedication and commitment to the industry is unparalleled. Many times they burned the midnight oil to get their copy in on time. And before we were able to post these articles online, they were re-printed at the end of each calendar year in booklet form beginning with 1993. We boast two famous writers: Joe Davis of the automo- tive electrical rebuilding industry and Dan Marinucci of the automotive after- market. Featuring rebuilding shops through- out the years has been a joy. It’s a win- dow into someone’s business and their life that we wouldn’t otherwise get a glimpse of; their ingenuity, tenacity, and heart. The occasional new supplier is fea- ture material as well, just to help them with a leg up. At different junctures we would offer a new service and see if it would stick. In October 1995 we announced a tech sup- port line which had a short life of about six months. Rebuilders wanted a free service and we didn’t have deep enough pockets to fund it. Along the way, the trusty ERE Advisors would answer ques- tions, make suggestions and help keep me on the beam. Yet another first was the formulation of annual planning meetings to hammer out details for the then E+ Trade Show. Ft. Worth, Texas was the site of the first meeting in 1998. Over 20 rebuilders and suppliers attended and in eight hours we had a program everyone was proud of. With only one exception, 19 to 22 mem- bers of the industry have attended each of our 10 meetings thus far, the most notable meetings being the first one, the Niagara Falls meeting held in Chicago with the Canadians, and the most recent meeting to plan the Grand Rapids event. The training offered there was especially well-balanced and there was a lot of it. Our only collaboration, the 2000 show in Niagara Falls, Canada with the now-defunct A.E.R.A.C., was one for the record books. Eighty-some suppliers exhibited to a record crowd of Canadians and Americans. The front page of the show issue of the Exchange was by far the most handsome and exciting ever produced, and featured both co