After 26 Years, Bernie Lepper Steps Down as NAUMD Executive Director

 By Jackie Rosselli

For Bernie Lepper, his proudest moment as head of the National Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors came not from the development of some educational program or industry technological advancement. The time of which he is most proud came when the United States faced its darkest hours -- the attacks on New York and Washington, the terrorist acts of 9/11.

Says Lepper: “Like everyone else that day, I was searching for a way to help those involved with the rescue effort. On September 12, I received a call from a colleague at the New York Society of Association Executives, a group to which I belong. He asked if I could help supply uniforms and equipment to the relief workers at the World Trade Center. I sent out a fax broadcast to every member, requesting a donation of $100 in cash or goods, in the hope that we would be able to raise about $50,000. The response was rapid, and overwhelming. Members gave above and beyond the initial request, and instead of $50,000, we were able to contribute over $1.5 million in cash, uniforms, boots and other equipment to the recovery effort, and to the families affected by the attacks. This story says a lot about our members, and about the industry I served for over two decades.”

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A Commitment of Leadership

 By Joseph Greco, M.S.O.D.

Better leadership will produce superior results. As a leader, whether of a department or an entire organization, questions should be considered so that the answers will add the most value. In Kouzes and Posner’s book, The Leadership Challenge, the authors propose a framework in which to ask thought-provoking questions.

There are five practices and ten commitments of leadership. Model the way by finding your voice and clarifying your personal values, and set the example by aligning actions with shared values. Inspire a shared vision by imaging exciting possibilities and enlist others in a common vision by appealing to shared aspirations. Challenge the process by searching for opportunities by seeking innovative ways to change, grow and improve and experiment and take risks by constantly generating small wins and learning from mistakes. Enable others to act by fostering collaboration, promoting cooperative goals and building trust that strengthens others through sharing power and discretion. Finally, encourage the heart by recognizing contributions and showing appreciation for individual excellence, and celebrate the values and victories by creating a spirit of community. What you have here is almost a career’s worth of work!

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Defying the Trend, D.W. Uniforms finds Success in USA Manufacturing

 By Jackie Rosselli

Is anything made in the United States anymore?

In the uniform and apparel industries, the answer is yes, but the number of goods manufactured here has been steadily shrinking for years. Devastated by competition, -- particularly from China -- the manufacturing side of the apparel business now employs about 250,000 people. A decade earlier, the figure hovered at around 750,000.

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Product News: 5.11 Tactical, Elbeco, and School Apparel

 By Jackie Rosselli

This month’s product offerings come from 5.11 Tactical, Elbeco, and School Apparel.

The painful process of breaking in boots is a thing of the past, thanks to 5.11 Tactical ® . The Modesto, California manufacturer has launched several functional and comfortable boot designs with minimal break in time, and customer response, according to the company, has been overwhelmingly positive.

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