##Warren Thoma To Serve as Interim President##
(Epworth, GA) Mark Krupka has resigned as the President of the NAPP (National Association of Pond Professionals) after 4 1⁄2 years as the head of the organization. Warren Thoma, of Warren Thoma & Associates, LLC, has agreed to fill the role of Interim President, until the next regular election.
Mr. Krupka issued a statement explaining the reasons for his resignation. “In my position as VP and Technical Director for Ecological Laboratories, Inc., I have been asked to play a larger role in the roll-out and development of the new Microbe-Life line of Lawn and Garden Products. Between this, and my responsibilities as Director of International Sales, which have doubled over the past three years, I just don’t have the time to continue to fulfill the role as President of the NAPP properly”, said Krupka. “This has nothing to do with the recent cancellation of the NAPP Conference and Expo, despite the timing. Ecological has wanted me to extricate myself from these responsibilities since last July. They have been fair, allowing me to take the time to perform as a Board member, and, then, the President, of the NAPP for over 7 years. It has been their way of giving back to the industry, which has been a very important in Ecological’s growth. While I am not happy that we did not accomplish all of the goals I set when I accepted the position as the President of the NAPP, there are things we did accomplish. Among these were: improved communications; transparent operation with the release of P&L and income statements to the membership every year, and presentation at the annual meetings, so all members knew where every penny came from and every penny went; completion of the first industry survey, which was determined in a member survey to be something many members wanted us to do; planning and execution of the very successful first Conference and Expo in Stone Mountain, GA in 2010; and doubling membership in the first two years of my Presidency.
I am very happy that Warren Thoma has agreed to accept the role of Interim President. Warren is as knowledgeable as anyone in the Water Garden Industry, as well as the Irrigation Industry. He is intimately familiar with the workings of trade associations, and is currently on the Board of Directors of the IA. I hope everyone will give Warren their full support as he accepts this role at this challenging time in the industry. Warren will continue to pursue many of the current NAPP priorities, which, if realized, will benefit the industry. This was Warren’s main stated reason in accepting the position. To do what he can for the good of the industry.
I’d also like to thank Firestone Specialty Products, who was our largest corporate sponsor, and without whom we would not have accomplished many things that we did accomplish. There is no other company I know of who had made a comparable commitment to NAPP and the water feature industry.
Finally, I’d like to thank Sherry Loudermilk and staff for her support, without which the NAPP could not have functioned, as all other members were volunteers, who had to juggle responsibilities with their primary job. While Sherry and her group were compensated, due to financial limitations, it was never at a level commensurate with the time and commitment.
It has been my pleasure to serve on the Board, and as the President of the NAPP. There have been a number of fine people I have met in this industry, whom I am confident I will be friends with for life. It is just an industry that attracts good, quality people. I will still have involvement in the Water Garden Industry, as it will continue to be an important part of Ecological’s product mix. I will just have a different focus for the next two to three years.”
National Association of Pond Professionals
http://www.nationalpondpro.com/
