The Chairman's Corner

By Thomas McCarthy

January 2020

Where did the last decade go? Is it just me or does it seem like time is moving faster and faster? Looking back, we started the last decade amidst a financial crisis; in 2011, we saw our special forces bring justice to Bin Laden; in 2012, Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian with 22 medals; a billionaire and TV celebrity Donald Trump was elected president in 2016; in 2018, California suffered through the Camp Fire, the deadliest and most destructive fire in California history; and then in 2019, we saw Notre Dame on fire in France.

We had ups and downs with our industry as well. With the military switching to the DP3 program, we have seen many moving companies go out of business especially in the harder to reach areas. On the other hand, we have seen other companies learn to adapt and thrive in this system.

We thankfully switched from the PUC to the Bureau of Household Goods & Services (BHGS) as our regulators. Regulators, who are actually, wait for it…Regulating!  We have seen increases in the MAX4 and simplification of it as well.

All in all, it’s been a busy decade. What will the next 10 years bring? Will we see fleets that have electric trucks? Will we finally see the first autonomous trucks to haul HHGs? Will we finally get our industry together and come up with a paperless solution for a move? Not just inventories, but all forms? Will we figure out how to bring youth into our industry and make driving and moving a profession that attracts the younger generations?

While faced with many challenges, we have to remind ourselves that we live in an amazing time right now and are blessed to be here. The future really is what we make of it, so let’s get to it. If you haven’t done it yet, put goals down on paper for the end of the year, three years from now, five years from now. Goals may change, but if you don’t have a goal to shoot for, how do you know if you made it? Tell you what, I will help you get started and give you your very first goal. Goal Number One: send in your registration for the CMSA Convention in Kauai right NOW if you haven’t done it already. Then book your hotel room and flight.

I am looking forward to this first convention of the new decade in Kauai. Interestingly, in 2009 we had our convention in Kauai and Tim McCarthy was the incoming Chairman for the Association. Now some 11 years later we are returning and timing would have it that I will be the outgoing Chairman. I hope you take the opportunity to come out early or stay after the convention to enjoy the island. I know I am. I look forward to spending some time on the beach and the pool, sipping tropical drinks with umbrellas in them and finally take a moment to relax. Oh and have some kalua pork at a luau!

I leave you with a Hawaiian phrase: E hele me ka pu’olo which means Make every person, place or condition better than you left it always.

January 2020 - CMSA Communicator