WINTER 2017

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STAR STAINLESS 2016 NIFMSE HALL OF FAME RECIPIENT - BRUCE WHEELER from page 10
Introduction To Hall Of Fame
By Robin Wheeler
It is my honor to be able to take a few moments to
talk about my husband.
When Bruce and I started dating in 1975, I never even
thought about nut and bolts, little did I know they would
become a huge part of our world. I actually thought it was
a little hysterical when people asked what my husband did
for a living and I would say he sells screws. Except for all
of you, people are always puzzled.
I think Bruce’s best quality and what has I think made
him partly successful is his genuine feeling that people
are a huge part of Star’s and ultimately his success.
He is always approachable whether you are one of his
warehouse workers or a million dollar customer. He has
always instilled in our children that everyone is needed to
make a successful company.
Let me share some facts about how serious Bruce
takes his customers. Hawaii 1977, Bruce and I have
dinner plans when he comes up from the hotel lobby and
tells me our plans have changed. He ran into one of his
east coast accounts and we are now going to dinner with
them. Halfway thru the meal the wife remarks that we look
so young, and asked how long have we been married. I
answered, one day. Yes, the first night of our honeymoon
we entertained customers. From then on I realized how
serious Bruce was about relationships with his customers.
When he became branch manager of Chicago and
eventually higher up, he has never lost that approachability.
When he travels to a branch, he spends as much time in
the warehouse and packaging departments as he does in
the office. He feels it lets his employees know he cares
about all of them. I think that is a huge attribute.
One day, I went to the NJ branch to let loose my
frustration on Wayne (my kids jokingly refer to this
behavior as going Jersey). I was mad because Bruce blew
off coming east with us for a family beach vacation so
he could fly to some branch and take care of a problem.
Wayne chuckled and said the best thing he ever did was
promote him because he worries about this company way
more than I do. His loyalty and love of Star Stainless has
never wavered in his 40 plus years.
Those of you that knew Wayne Golden must see a
lot of him in Bruce. I know that is sometimes a scary
thing to say, but it’s true. Wayne instilled in him to
be unconventional, follow your instincts and not just a
balance sheet, and always remember the little guys.
For years I would listen to the two of them either
in person or on the phone discussing those things and
how to always improve and grow the company, as well as
many personal things. When Wayne passed away, Bruce
lost that special person to discuss everything with. Well
now that our son Bryan is in the business, all those same
types of discussions are around again, but this time it is
Bruce sharing his knowledge and experiences. I have to
reign those two in when we have family dinners because
the rest of us don’t need a whole meal of fastener
discussions.
Sharing his knowledge is also why Bruce was a big
advocate of the mentoring program that the NFDA started.
It gives him the opportunity to share his perspective of
the industry with new blood coming in. Bruce also shares
his knowledge of stainless by consulting locally and
internationally on these matters. He has taught, lectured,
and written articles on the subject of stainless.
Over the years that love of the business, knowledge
of the industry, and still the joy of interacting with people
has made Bruce the man he is today and I am proud to
introduce my husband, Bruce Wheeler as your 2016 Hall
of Fame inductee.
ROBIN WHEELER MAKING HER INTRODUCTION SPEECH AT
2016 NIFMSE HALL OF FAME PRESENTATION
CONTINUED ON PAGE 142