ARA INCOMING PRESIDENT

While the role of ARA President has many rewarding moments and those that hold the role make invaluable and worthwhile contributions, there is a cost that adds up to time away from family and business. This is one of the things that Swift says will be his least favorite part for the role. “I will, of course, miss being away from our family business a little bit more, but I am very blessed that my brother is my partner, my sisters, and my son work there. We have great employees and some great customers,” said Swift. “My mom still works in the business every day and she has more energy than all of us put together. I have two great sisters, that are also great mothers to their kids. I have a great brother who has two great kids. I need to thank my wife, Tracy, my daughter, Mallory and her husband, Troy, my granddaughter, Kalli and my son, Sam. It is great to have family. Family is it. I worry when I am away, but I am a bit of a control freak. They will pick up my pieces for sure.” As he prepares to take up his new role, he pays tribute to those who have gone before him and focuses on the task ahead.

“I would like to continue to try to do the best job that I can and make sure that I keep all of the good things going that those before me started,” said Swift. “This is a team effort and I just want to make sure all of us are continuing to head in a very positive direction. Those before me have laid a great path and I just want to continue to improve as we go along. I want 2016 to be positive and prosperous year in the industry and for years to come. I also would like non-members and cur- rent ARA members to know that being a member of ARA is a return on investment, not just another bill in the mail.

“As I have traveled around the country, I’ve noticed that the bottom line hits us in the face a lot more than it used to. I am a third generation auto recycler. I don’t know what the future holds for the next generation. We just need to educate about what we do and why we do it. It’s important for us to work together and to partner with ARA to figure out ways to not only become more progres- sive, but to stay ahead and prosper.” Michelle Keadle-Taylor is a freelance writer based in Pennsylvania.

60 Automotive Recycling | September-October 2015