PPB November 2019

the changes we saw coming in the industry and in other nonprofits worldwide. I also had the opportunity of working with regional associations that were struggling to connect their needs to the resources available through RAC and PPAI. PPB How do you manage your time between your position at Fey Promotional Products Group, your volunteerism and your personal life? Carpenter I work for a great company that has spent the past 50 years helping to make our industry what it is, and for great people like Mike Fey, CAS, who understands the importance of volunteerism and who has spent his time in service at the regional level—that helps for sure. Most importantly, I think the key is to get involved. You end up realizing that everyone you are volunteering with has the same day-job responsibilities as you do, and there is a general understanding that we all have to share the load in order to dedicate our “extra” time to helping out. And you do have to learn, responsibly, how to say “no.” It’s not a dirty word; it’s actually not making promises you can’t keep. A wise person once said, “You don’t know your limitations until you have surpassed them.” You have to set limits on what you are able to offer and then make the most of the time you give. Don’t waste it. PPB What is the best piece of advice you’ve received and who offered it? Carpenter In my early days in the industry, the PPAI Expo was held in Dallas, and I distinctly remember working at our booth one year when a stately gentleman came over and took me aside. His name was JimMoore and he worked for a competitor of mine selling similar products. My first thought was that he might be trying to hire me away frommy company, or maybe trying to see if I had some inside information on what we did. Instead, he told me that by observing me, he felt I had a future in our industry and wanted to make himself available to me to answer any questions or challenges that I might face. Then he told me: “Always remember that a cup of coffee is the international symbol of good will, and that’s why a coffee mug is some of the best advertising you can buy. And never forget that why a product exists is much more important than what a product is.” PPB What are some of your favorite hobbies and pastimes? Carpenter When it comes to hobbies and pastime activities, I am a foodie. My family and extended family consider me their chef-in-residence. I enjoy using my big barbeque rig mounted on a tow trailer to smoke ribs, brisket, pork belly, turkey and salmon. I’m always up to try something new and sometimes to try really old recipes, like for pound cake or cookies. I am also a guitar player and collector. It’s something I started when I was a teenager and thought all the girls would like it, but now it’s something I don’t do publicly as much, but more for myself as a reboot when I am stressed about the craziness going on around me. Being from Texas, as you might have guessed from the barbeque, I also enjoy shooting, as well as fishing and hunting. I’m also a carpenter, not just by namesake, and I enjoy building and remodeling projects when time allows, and working on my yard. Danielle Renda is associate editor of PPB Tom Carpenter, MAS, (left) chats with Tracey Barton of Safeguard Business Systems and Mike McMillian of RiteLine LLC during an industry event. Tom Ca rpen t e r, MAS 96 | NOVEMBER 2019 | CONNECT