Host Lindsay Young interviews Ernie Coutermarsh, a veteran of the plumbing and PVF industry with over 50 years of experience, mostly at FW Webb. They discuss Ernie's journey from the Marine Corps to a successful career at the distributor, the importance of maintaining a company's legacy while fostering growth, and the lessons learned from his military service. Ernie emphasizes the significance of mentorship and community involvement in shaping the next generation of leaders in the industry. He also talked about the rise of integrated supply, the creation of SupplyForce, and the early days and evolution of Affiliated Distributors (AD). Ernie also shared stories from his early life; Ernie has a unique perspective on history: • He met President Kennedy, served during the Cuban missile crisis, and attended the president’s funeral. • He learned the price of freedom early in his life in the U.S. Marines. • He sang happy birthday to George W. Bush’s mom. Great quotes: • “Relevant is a very important word. And you can't define your own relevance; your customer does.” • “You’re not buying a building. And you don’t buy people either. They have to want to stay. And that’s why your culture’s important. That’s why they will stay. And if they didn’t stay, what you bought was nothing.” • "People want to feel in the course of their day that they matter." Takeaways: • His military background shaped his leadership style and commitment to service. • He emphasizes the importance of company culture in maintaining legacy. • Companies must adapt to changes in customer needs and market dynamics. • Collaboration among industry players can lead to innovative solutions. • Understanding history helps in making informed decisions for the future.