The Last Word
By John A. Elwood, Chairman
Soon after I began my term as ASA chairman in October, I received a call from the editor
of Staffing Success magazine. She was requesting an
interview for the profile piece she wrote about me
in this issue.
It was a fun interview to do—but not just because
she did a great job or because I got to talk about my
family and business. It was a great experience because
I got to share my ASA story. I got to talk about my
own excellent adventure with the association, one
that ultimately led to my service on the ASA board of
directors.
Telling this story allowed me to reflect on those
ASA moments that have made all the difference in
the trajectory of my career and my business—and I
know my story rings familiar to many of my staffing
industry peers.
Eye-Opening Experience
In 1996, I joined the family business founded
by my dad. I was new to the industry, and our
company probably had less than a million dollars in
topline revenue at that time. Also around then, my
brother and I attended our first ASA convention. To
say it was an eye-opening experience is an understatement. It was awesome.
Not until we experienced Staffing World did we
truly understand the size and scope of the industry. We came away with an enlightened understanding of the staffing business. I remember
getting back home feeling inspired and energized.
I had a renewed sense of direction and vision. In
retrospect, that convention is likely where my ASA
adventure began.
Soon after I joined the ASA-affiliated chapter in
Indiana, which was a great way to make local and
regional connections and get involved in state-level
advocacy efforts.
The more I got involved, the greater the ben-
efits became for me and my company. I think of
it fondly as the Charlotte’s Web effect. The more
I move around the web of everything the associa-
tion has to offer, the more engrained I become in a
rewarding member experience.
Leadership and Growth
Getting increasingly involved with ASA over the
years has inspired me to serve on various committees. These experiences have enabled me to observe
what the leaders of other companies—both big and
small—are doing, make strategic connections, and
forge valuable friendships.
Fast forward to this past Staffing World, where
now immediate past chairman Dan Campbell
handed me the official ASA gavel to mark the start
of my term as chairman.
I’m thrilled and grateful to serve you and
the association. I also recognize that being an
engaged member of ASA has had an enormous
impact on my career and my business. Somewhere
along the way, as I was getting more and more
involved with ASA, I asked myself: Why not me?
Why not volunteer, let my voice be heard, connect
with industry leaders, and give back?
Now I also encourage my firm’s internal employees to get involved with ASA. Make connections on
ASA Central. Volunteer to serve on a committee.
Lead a discussion at Staffing World. Why not you?
While you are enjoying this issue, be sure to take
a look at two very special pages ( 60–61), which recognize staffing companies that have been members
of the association for more than a decade—some
more than 25 years. These are undoubtedly some of
the greatest companies in the industry—thank you
for your long-term commitment and leadership.
I look forward to serving you and serving
alongside all those volunteers who have made
that important decision to step forward. I guarantee that you will get much more out of your ASA
adventure than you put in. n
Choose Your ASA Adventure
I’m thrilled and
grateful to serve you
and the association.
I also recognize that
being an engaged
member of ASA has
had an enormous
impact on my career
and my business.
