Interview: Dave Brown

Dave Brown U Rob Kurek & Jim Haught Editor s note Dave Brown s election AMA president marks beginning new era Academy As such felt appropriate sit down Mr Brown get afew thoughts new role Q What goals priorities new president Academy A Goals very difficult set early simple goal would focus AMA main-core modelers well youth beginner programs Also need turn around decline membership get us back upward curve . major thing order have come up flying sites Lack sufficient number flying sites major reason stagnation experiencing enough emphasis flying site programs dont have flying sites dont have sportperiod Q If item would like achieve president what would A If can get through examination organizational structure eye making organization efficient can would top goal important remember quite often things go beyond time office example think Muncie site going flourish during next few years happens wasnt because lot predecessor effect president has will show up later Q How would describe leadership style A I tend try convince people rather command people Whenever possible discuss issues try reach consensus . have remain flexible Its very inclusive style No has corner good ideas sometimes best ideas come out blue . am great fan brainstorming job inspire peopleto get out inspiring Work themlisten themand inspire Strategic Planning am formal-type businessperson tend get involved implementation actual goals difference between strategic planning long-range planning . believe have have some long-range direction goals problem people once ignore three years later again Executive Council very often role Executive Council The EC needs focus direction policy think sometimes EC becomes too involved todays problems ignoring tomorrows direction lot people refer kind thing micromanaging dont see what Im doing things necessarily have accomplished term think president organization should looking farther down road three-year term think keeping train track today responsibility staff direction train purview Executive Council . have work together must willing admit make wrong decision change course necessary keep going right direction dont want continue follow course dont believe Q Is role different predecessors president AMA has faced own challenges What basic challenge will dont know yet happened come period time few bumps roadbut bumps can make ride delightful have huge amount faith staff have also have lot faith diversity Council Council often castigated changing decisions often its situation decision made good faith just didnt work its time try something different Life business about perfection have deal reality thing Ive regretted about own performance has situations saw something wrong didnt speak up refuse admit mistake thats healthy organization Q Do see parallels between AMA Dave Brown Products A Both really businesses want maximize efficiency both Q What has important factor success date A Believe six years spent carnie learned deal people flavors roustabouts cooks owners politicians leamed persons worth value necessarily determined position Q How view relationship between president Executive Director A We like two people threelegged race us effective have communicate way want go dont necessarily have agree time communication important thing will say Joyce Hager kind manager st 1996 61