Retail Observer

APRIL 2024 RETAILOBSERVER.COM 49 Glade is grateful to the clients who communicated their needs and ideas to the team, which he credits with improving 50% or more of the current Rossware systems. Many industry partners also worked with Glade and the Rossware team to eliminate manual data entry and integrate automation between independent servicers, manufacturers, and TPAs. Since he officially retired in September 2023, Glade and Laura are enjoying their four-year-old granddaughter Blair, who is a great joy and delight! Retirement has allowed him to pursue his other passions which include golf, snow skiing, and sailing. Some years ago Glade finally fulfilled a lifelong ambition to become a pilot. This March, he took delivery of an extraordinary Italian-built aircraft in which he hopes to set a few records. We hope Glade enjoys his well deserved retirement! Congratulations, Glade, on receiving this well-deserved award. As I have said to you in the past, I believe your contribution to the appliance service industry is second to no other person in elevating an appliance service company's ability to use technology to provide the highest level of customer service experience. I consider you a trusted mentor who always gave confidential, thoughtful, helpful advice when I struggled with manufacturer and parts distributors' demands. I credit you and ServiceDesk with a good percentage of our company's success, and I sincerely thank you for being a significant contributor to our industry and "one brilliant and amazing guy who I am pleased to be able to call a friend"! Best wishes to you and your family as you step into the next chapter of your life. Tom Hankins, Glade's Friend for Life! Best Service Company Denver, Colorado Glade is a remarkable family man, friend, and industry icon, yet his golfing skills and ability to explain things in simple terms leave much to be desired. I credit Glade for much of my success, because he encouraged me to join USA years ago, clearly knowing I didn't have a clue what I was doing. I'm proud to consider Glade a friend and I'm looking forward to our next IPA and hamburger flight adventure. Jeff Guinn, Founder and CEO of Guinco Service Glade has been an unwavering supporter of independent Servicers and specifically UASA from the very beginning. He has created a fantastic software management system that is the dominant leader in our industry, making life easier and profitable for service companies. He is humble in spirit and a friend to all! Congrats! James C Dolbeare Sr. President/CEO AAA Appliance Service Center Glade has been perhaps the primary driver who has helped move our industry forward through the development of software programs to enhance and modernize the business capabilities of appliance service professionals. Rossware is one of the preeminent business software solutions in the appliance service industry. Rossware has always been a highly visible partner to the appliance trade associations, supplying training and support at all our events. Everyone at PSA congratulates Glade for the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by UASA. We join the entire appliance service industry in thanking you for all your support, wishing you the best moving forward! Randy Carney Executive Director, PSA To the only guy I've golfed with in jeans and a burgundy long sleeve button-down Rossware Shirt – 1041 wishes you the best of luck on your retirement! Tim Koyonen Twin Cities Appliance When my company finally made the switch to Rossware in 2010, there was only one complaint from my implementation staff: What does Glade mean when he says … (fill in the blank). I would have to interpret through your humor and wittiness and give them the simplified, common-person understanding of what you were saying. Having read and enjoyed your creativity in your advertisements in Appliance Service News for many years, I felt like I had become a Glade interpreter! What a ride it's been. Thank you for your genius in creating Service Desk. Dean Landers President, Landers Appliance Finally, on behalf of the United Appliance Servicers Associations Executive Committee and Board of Directors, It is my distinct honor to present the 2024 LifeTime Achievement Award to Mr. Glade Ross. Dean Landers, President of Landers Appliance RO

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