Accolades to Evelyn McWilliams on Her Retirement

Evelyn is a MHEDA Icon! It will be hard to think of MHEDA without Evelyn being involved. She has done an outstanding job and always with a smile on her face. I know that I will always think of Evelyn when I enter the MHEDA booth at any trade show and remember her kindness and caring ways. I wish her and John the best in their retirement.

Evelyn and Superman Save the Day
For many years, when I did presentations for MHEDA, Evelyn was my primary administrative help and contact. Together, we presented many successful MHEDA events. In our very first seminar together, I presented for about five hours, then took a break while another speaker took over for a planned 1 1/2-hour presentation. I went to my hotel room to rest—and to change into my Superman costume, to close the presentation that day with a ... flourish.

About a half-hour into the presentation, the room phone rang. It was Evelyn. At first she sort of hemmed and hawed-then said, “You better get Superman down here soon-this presenter is losing the audience fast.” I quickly rejoined Evelyn in the seminar room; sure enough, the speaker was methodically “putting them to sleep.” Evelyn and I quickly called a break, “thanked and excused” the speaker. Then, I undressed. Revealing Superman, of course.

That was the beginning of a great relationship. Professional relationship. Thanks, Evelyn!

MHEDA has always been about people, about their companies and their families, and about providing value in return for membership. For a few years more than Evelyn or I would like to recall, Evelyn McWilliams has been the person at MHEDA who kept track of all the relationships, friendships and needs. She has been a bridge between generations and has been a wonderful example to all of us about the need to change with the times while remembering our traditions. On behalf of the Modern Group and all of us who have been involved with MHEDA, we wish you the best of luck in your retirement and please know how much all of your contributions are appreciated by those who have worked with you.

On behalf of our company and the entire Bowes family, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all of your contributions to MHEDA. When I was thinking about what you have meant to our association over the years, several words came to mind: Loyal, Consistent, Cheerful, Caring, Detail-Oriented and Dedicated. The quality of your work and your ever-present smile and attitude will be missed. It was a pleasure serving with you and I wish you and John “All the Best” in the years ahead!

When I was on the board and in charge of kicking off MHEDA-NET, Evelyn was absolutely vital and nothing would have gotten done without her. She pays attention to detail, always does it with a smile, and is as cheerful as can be. A pleasure to work with. She could take it off the board member's plate, get it done and move it forward. Evelyn was not afraid to say to any board member, “You owe me this material, what are you waiting on?” And she does it in such a pleasant way, that you could never get upset. Evelyn is an asset to our association.

You learn a lot about someone working alongside them for 17 years. I like to say, “Evelyn and I made it happen,” and we were the constant through the changes in association leadership.

People may not know that July 4 is Evelyn's favorite holiday. She decorates with memorabilia, wears a jacket with stars and stripes and celebrates this holiday with gusto. Every year, on the day before the holiday, Evelyn would “steal” two cigarettes from me for her July 4th celebration. Perhaps it had something to do with fireworks, but it was a part of her celebration every year.

Evelyn has been a jewel all the times I have had the pleasure to work with her. She was a key factor in getting the MHEDA-NET program going. The membership of MHEDA will reap the benefits of her work for many years to come. Evelyn, I hope that you enjoy many years of retirement, and don't forget your old friends.

I had only been partnered with MHEDA for a few months when I attended the 1996 Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida. Not knowing anyone, Evelyn took me under her wing, introducing me to members and making sure that I was comfortable. As a newcomer, I had no idea how many behind-the-scene details she was responsible for. Her concern, caring and friendliness have added to the warmth of every Convention for decades!

Evelyn is, without a doubt, one of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet. She has been a joy to work with during my three-year time on the board. If I ask her to send me something or do something, she always, always follows through. I wish more people were like Evelyn.

Congratulations, Evelyn, on your retirement. You've always been my “go-to person” at MHEDA. Whenever I was in need, you were there to happily help or direct me to the proper person. We will all miss Evelyn. Thanks, and best of health and happiness in your retirement.

When I first joined MHEDA and I walked up to the registration desk at my first Convention, there was Evelyn, with her smile and her glow, making sure to answer all my questions and making sure that I was going to enjoy that first Convention experience. I'll never forget that. The next year, she remembered my name! You see that smile of hers and it's contagious. She's very professional and she takes a very sincere interest in all the members of MHEDA and she wants to do whatever she can to help them. Evelyn really wants to make sure that she's giving support to our members and providing service.

Evelyn is single-handedly responsible for helping board members answer questions posed by members in The MHEDA Journal's “Ask Your Board” column. She urges and reminds us to respond, and then gives feedback to get the column done on time. I think the success of that column is due in no small measure to Evelyn.

Evelyn is a joy to work with; she always has a positive attitude and is focused on doing whatever she can to assist others. Evelyn is the kind of person you seek out and look forward to speaking with. It's a fact that only 20% of the working population enjoys what they do. I think it is safe to say Evelyn is within that 20%. She lives for the moment and enjoys whomever she is with. Thanks, Evelyn, for being a friend. We will miss you and wish you well with all future endeavors.

Evelyn is the staff “go-to person” for MHEDA history. She remembers details from Conventions, events and functions even when they might start to blur in others' minds!

Evelyn has been a joy to know and work with. She has a kind word for everyone and a gentle nature. She will be missed by staff and members alike.

I am continuously amazed at Evelyn's personal attention to each and every member she deals with. No detail is too small for her to deal with and she treats everyone with respect and courtesy. You know when it's Evelyn answering the phone at MHEDA because she believes if you smile when you answer the phone, the caller will feel it. And she's right!

When I started going to Convention many years ago, Evelyn was the first person I met. I'll never forget because I was a new person at the Convention and I met her at the registration table. Every time she saw me throughout the Convention, she remembered my name. I thought that was pretty special, especially with the number of people that she must run into at the Convention. I've worked with Evelyn on the Parts & Service Seminars, and she is a delightful person to work with.

Evelyn is MHEDA's “go-to” person. When I first joined MHEDA, Evelyn was the one who was always there. She was attentive, and made sure I had what I needed as a member, and as a board member.

I think of Evelyn standing at the MHEDA booth during the trade shows we attend. You go by the booth, and there is Evelyn welcoming members, standing on that concrete all day long. She is the only person I know who can stand there all day long with a smile, never acting like it bothers her!

Evelyn is the type of person who will pitch in no matter what else is happening. She says, “Let's get it done.” Evelyn is the first person to ask, “How are you doing, how's your day going.” Evelyn picks up after the MHEDA staff, and can be counted on to put things away. She's usually the first person to go into the kitchen to clean things up.

It will be difficult to think of the MHEDA staff without Evelyn McWilliams. Evelyn has contributed much of her professional career to MHEDA and most importantly to its members. MHEDA is a better organization as a result of Evelyn's involvement and contributions. We will all miss her friendly voice, pleasant disposition and undying, professional support. Best wishes during your retirement years!

I always enjoy seeing Evelyn in the registration area when I attend MHEDA Convention. Her positive attitude and uplifting personality made her wonderful to work with. When I was president, if I didn't have something, she'd go and find it.

I was a little bit nervous the first time I spoke at a MHEDA seminar. I'd never done that before. Evelyn just said, “You'll do great; there's nothing to worry about.” She was very upbeat, calmed me down, and everything did go great.

I was 22 years old the day I started at MHEDA. I was so nervous that day! After a morning of logistics and paperwork, a woman named Evelyn asked me to join her for lunch. She took me to Burger King, and over burgers told me about her family. During that lunch hour, I felt so relieved to have such a sweet person as a co-worker. Ever since that day it became more and more clear what a thoughtful and understanding person Evelyn McWilliams is. She is a wonderful listener and always has good advice. I wish Evelyn all the best in the next chapter of her life. Congratulations on your retirement, Evelyn!

As a MHEDA president, I was asked to be involved with meetings, speaking engagements, the Convention, etc., and Evelyn would always be available to help with the utmost confidence, which made me feel comfortable in whatever I was asked to do. At educational seminars or Convention, she worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make everything come off seamlessly and made sure each member felt special. Evelyn did not view her years with MHEDA as a job, but as an extension of her family. For that I know I will always be grateful not only for what she did for me, but most important what she did for the MHEDA family.

Unlike many other organizations, MHEDA has been able to attract, train and retain highly dedicated staff members. The wide variety of projects involving relevant, diversified membership services and industry communications calls for a team effort, and Evelyn has been a dedicated and resourceful member of that team. Evelyn, Roz joins me in thanking you for your warm friendship and for being such a dedicated and effective member of MHEDA's headquarters team. Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement.

I enjoy seeing Evelyn smile every day and chitchatting. She knows every single member of MHEDA-NET and has been very thorough teaching me about members. She knows who works where and what they do.

What comes to mind when I think of Evelyn is that perpetual smile and willing attitude. She beamed when we'd see her, and was never too busy to ask how I was and how my wife was. Evelyn is a true “People Person.” Just to see her makes us happy. You Gotta Love Her! Her talent and dedication to MHEDA will truly be missed.

After being elected to the MHEDA Board, I faced my indoctrination meeting with some trepidation. There in Chicago, I left reassured with an image of Evelyn's smiling face and her dedication to making my transition easy in her role as Networking Liaison, my first committee assignment. Repeatedly over the next three years, that smile flashed and she made my life more simple by hitting the “Easy Button,” taking care of a task sometimes before I asked. Evelyn's focus on service to MHEDA members is rare in the world but commonplace at MHEDA. She will be missed but her imprint on the organization, and on me, will remain.

Evelyn and I have worked together for 12 years. She's my go-to person. If I don't know something, I know that Evelyn will. She knows MHEDA's members, and she is the best proof reader I've ever seen. In the office, before anything goes out, we ask Evelyn to look at it first. That will be missed. Evelyn, it has been an honor and a pleasure to work with you. I hope your retirement years are long.

I don't have one favorite memory of Evelyn. It is one continuous, wonderful memory. Evelyn was always positive. No matter what might be going wrong, she was correcting the problem. I wish her a very healthy and happy retirement. She will be missed by all. I thank her for all the help and assistance she gave to me.

When I joined MHEDA in 1993, I had no previous association experience and was following Dan Reilly, a MHEDA legend. I would have been lost without Evelyn's guidance and support. Evelyn patiently walked me through every detail and always remained positive and calm during the management transition and organizational restructuring. Best wishes to Evelyn and congratulations on your retirement!

Evelyn has taught me a lot about how to assist members at MHEDA programs. She makes sure members are taken care of. She's been my rock at the live programs, knowing she is there to answer my questions and help. It's been nice to work with her and learn from her. We will miss our “Grammar Guru.”

Evelyn knows the legacy of MHEDA and was the anchor from Dan to Tony to Liz. Her steadying influence made the transition through all the different directors. She knew the legacies and all the historical background, and the hysterical background too.

Evelyn is the first MHEDA staffer we ever met, sitting at the Convention registration desk, welcoming everyone. She's been the rock and the constant for us, always so gracious and kind and friendly. At Convention, Evelyn was always so helpful making sure that members knew the ins and outs of the Convention, and she made sure to include spouses. She just made it easy for people to be included. Of course, the forgotten ones at the Convention are the manufacturers' spouses; they don't have a network, especially the newcomers. Evelyn always took an extra step to make everyone feel welcome.