NAEDA promotes Williams to COO

The North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) announced Aug. 29 that it named Michael C. Williams as chief operating officer. Williams joined the association in 2002 as vice president of government relations and public policy.

“Mike has combined his organizational skills with his knowledge of the industry to become an extremely valuable member of the organization,” said Paul Kindinger, president and CEO, NAEDA. “Mike is respected by NAEDA’s 18 affiliated dealer associations and industry organizations and coalitions. He’s also been influential in bringing dealer and industry issues to the attention of federal legislators and regulators.”

As chief operating officer, Williams will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of NAEDA and report directly to the association’s president and CEO. NAEDA has been involved in dealer advocacy issues for more than a century, and it provides a variety of programs, products and services to dealers through its affiliated associations.

Williams came to NAEDA from the Illinois Department of Agriculture, where he served as chief policy advisor. In that position, Williams directed, coordinated, and reviewed department programs and was responsible for developing long-range plans and monitoring department progress toward meeting goals and objectives. He has also held numerous management positions with financial and agricultural organizations, including Bank One Trust Company, Illinois Agricultural Association, United Community Bancorp, Inc., Springfield Marine Bank, and Central Soya, Inc.

Williams earned a master of science and a bachelor of science at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Ill.

The North American Equipment Dealers Association is based in Fenton, Mo. It provides educational, finance, manufacturer and government relations services, and legal assistance to more than 5,000 retail agricultural, industrial and outdoor power equipment dealers in the United States and Canada.