Page 4 - The Pi Kapp Gator - Summer 2015

Perkins (Continued from Page 1) Chairman (Continued from Page 1) Grossman named to the Blue Key and they began contacting companies around Speech and Debate Team. the U.S. for a new business venture. The Rheem Mfg. Company was selected (greatest • Philanthropy: Kappa Kasino Charity – 1st upside).We “started on a shoestring” in a tiny Place, The Ability Experience - Journey of 5,000 square foot warehouse in Boca Raton, Hope (formerly PUSH AMERICA) FL, naming the business Gemaire Distributors. • Awards: AE collected ten awards for We knew we had a gem of an opportunity before philanthropy, leadership, scholarship and us which provided itself to be true. excellence at the most recent Pi Kapp College. Ken and his two partners, Quince and Manuel, • Fall Semester ’15: 45 signed leases and began to work – work that included unloading deposits in hand which flls the house to trailers at night and then selling the products max capacity. the very next day. Ken also spent a lot of time Alumni Organization: doing name brand advertising,using a seasonal billboard strategy. After one year in business – Over the past several years we have everyone in south Florida knew of the company, assembled an extremely active Board of and it eventually became known as one of top Trustees comprised of business professionals distributors in the country. Five years after that, who promote strong leadership, a solid the tiny warehouse had grown from 5,000 square business plan, open communication with the feet to a new 48,000 square feet facility and chapter and succession planning at both the board and chapter level. This group has in added branches in Miami, Tampa and Orlando. Ken and his wife, Lois in Paris. How did the business grow so rapidly? turn driven the following initiatives: • Return to Greatness Capital Campaign: “Growing a small company is a very personalized business and has a lot to do with how you treat his four grandchildren, Kendall (19), Garrett collected $1M in pledges to build a new your employees and customers,” Ken said. To (16), Brianne (13), and Dakota (8). Lois chapter house. award the dealers for their purchases and top is a professional volunteer and has served • Alumni Communications Program – employees their accomplishments, they had as President with organizations such as the ongoing for three years. special incentives trips such as fshing trips out Florida Federation Woman’s Clubs and Cystic • Alpha Epsilon Scholarship Program: of the country, golf and trade show weekends Fibrosis. Ken points this out because not only recently announced. and getaways trips around the world. As Ken’s is he extremely proud of his beautiful wife, • Veterans Initiative: newly developed partners moved into retirement they decided to Lois, but due to the humorous initiative to honor those AE’s who have ΠΚΦfact that 23,000 sell the business to Watsco in 1989 and Ken stayed women had their home phone number. served our country in the military. on as President until 2000 before moving into the Every once in a while Ken will meet up • The new Pi Kapp Gator Web Site: role of Vice President at Watsco (WSO). Watsco with a few guys from his pledge class, and he rolling out September 1, 2015. is the nation’s largest air conditioning distributor. attends our special events such as Founders • Business Strategy Meetings: semi-annual In 2007, Ken decided that it was time to Day 2015. Over the years Ken has learned that meetings between the Chapter Exec Team “retire” and with a partner opened his own in fraternity life you learn to live and work with and members of the Board of Trustees. company, the Johnstone Supply Company, many people. “The different back grounds, • Business Plan: annual Financial Business located in Charlotte, NC. Today, Ken spends educational majors, and future aspirations Plan presented at the Summer Exec Session his time managing his company, relaxing of brothers greatly enhances your individual which clearly sets forth projected sources at the beach condo, and enjoying time with opportunity after graduation.” and uses of cash. • Fiscal Accountability: semi-annual P&L Call to Action updates, no outstanding AR in three years, leases and deposits for all residents, all receivables handled in partnership with the n an effort to take AE’s Alumni Communication Program to the next level, University. Iwe are pleased to announce the upcoming launch of the new Pi Kapp Gator But perhaps the most signifcant Web Site which will be up and running September 1st. The Development accomplishment to have happened in the last Committee is headed by Don Slesnick ’98, aka Slez III, on the alumni side, several years, was at our Annual Meeting and on the Chapter side by David Hicks, who is a member of the Executive in February, where 150 of us had the Committee and the current Historian. This is a joint task force and we are opportunity to sit together for lunch at the looking for additional support to join the cause. Specifcally Graphic Designers Gainesville Hilton. From the Teen-Timers and/or Web Developers.... as well as those who would generally like to share who graduated in the early ’50’s to those their talents and get involved in this important project. We have uncovered a of us from the ’60’s, ’70’s, ’80’s, ’90’s and wealth of information about AE that we are looking to share with all alumni. ’00’s…to those members of the chapter who Please contact Don Slesnick at: don@deconetworks.com. We need your help! graduated this past spring. That was when I realized…just how far we have come. That said…we still have much to do! If Save the Date you would like to know how you can become more involved, please reach out. We would welcome your participation. Alumni Event at the All the best… Chapter House October 10th Michael L. Sullivan ’72 Chairman Details TBA! Alpha Epsilon Housing Corporation Mlsullivan@e4mediaadvisory.com Alumni communication services provided by Elevate | www.elevateims.com | 770-903-3987 | @elevateims