Terry Allen, president, Webber Rental & Supply, Galesburg, Ill., has been named the new president of the ARA of Illinois. He replaces Dan St. Peters, owner, St. Peters Hardware & Rental, Alton, Ill., who has moved to the role of board chair.
Allen, who had served on the Corn Belt Rental Association board, started his ARA of Illinois board service about five years ago after he received a call from Bob Thomas. Thomas had sold his rental business, American Rental Centers in Peoria, and was retiring from the state board.
“That is how I got my foot in the door. I liked the people I was working with and what we were doing. For instance, one of the projects I got involved with soon after I started on the board was the State Legislative Day. I am from a more rural area on the edge of two different legislative districts. I am fortunate to deal with the two representatives from those districts both as customers and friends. That has helped if we go to Springfield for a State Legislative Day. We can make an appointment with our representatives to talk about whatever issue may be at hand. I think that helps. They know you personally other than just being someone from a rental store. The first issue we tackled was the theft-of-services bill in Illinois. My former state rep here had been a good friend of ours for years. I called and spoke with him. He agreed to be a co-sponsor of that bill. I am glad to say that this bill did pass,” he says.
Throughout his board tenure, Allen has served in many different capacities. Being appointed as president “offers an amount of recognition from my peers — that they want me to be in that position,” Allen says, noting that he is very grateful for the recognition but adding that he has big shoes to fill.
“I have had some pretty significant predecessors who have done a great job,” he says. “Both Matt Noonan and Dan St. Peters have served as president during the time I have been on the board. Both deserve a lot of praise because I think they have done fantastic jobs. My overall goal is to be able to hold up to the standards they have left for me.”
Allen knows that board service involves a team, which he says is the case with the ARA of Illinois. “I think the board is fortunate to have a lot of very good members. We are now seeing some new faces on the board with some of the next generation taking part. We have a very diverse, well-rounded group, and I am expecting great things to come from the board,” he says.
Allen also knows from personal experience how serving in this way can benefit one’s business. “Serving has allowed me to interact with other people from different stores that I wouldn’t normally have any contact with. Aside from ARA of Illinois board business, there are always some side conversations going on. We get some discussions started and find someone who has a different insight into a problem that I have been dealing with, which is very helpful,” he says.
Because of the benefits he has gained to hone his leadership skills and learn solutions to problems he faces, Allen encourages other ARA members in Illinois to get involved with the board. “Volunteering helps you to have an involvement in many issues that really affect your business. The theft-of-service bill was one example. There is always something going on that will impact your business in one way or the other. Having ARA involved helps in that effort,” he says.