Allan Chartier, a long-time asset in the industrial supply industry, passed away on March 21st after a long and courageous battle against cancer. He is survived by his wife, Lynda, his 3 children, and 10 grandchildren.
I got to know Allan real well in the late 1980’s when we were both active in the National Industrial Distributors Association (NIDA). During that time I was president of NIDA and Allan was president of the Central States Industrial Distributors Association (CSIDA). Tom Reid, president of SIDA, and I were working with our boards to merge NIDA and SIDA to form IDA. To make the merger complete we needed the support and involvement of CSIDA. Allan provided that support big time, and CSIDA became a full partner in the merger. Their very popular November convention became IDA’s Fall Meeting. Allan went on to become the president of the Industrial Distribution Association in 1993.
In September 2002, I formed NetPlus Alliance – we had no distributor members and no suppliers. Even though their business, Midwest Industrial Tools of Omaha, did not match up well to our industrial supplies model, Allan joined NetPlus in October. His stature in the industry and his support of what we were building, was invaluable. That’s what being a friend is all about.
Allan had a great sense of humor and always greeted everyone with a smile. He was very insightful and had a great mind for the business. And, he was an impeccable dresser. I don’t think I ever saw him at an industry function without a coat and tie, unless we were heading to the golf course.
Our industry will miss his insight and I will miss his friendship.
