2014 You Make It Happen - Ron Bousquet

2014 "You Make It Happen!" Award Presentation to Ron Bousquet
(pictured: Ron's family surprised him by being present when he received his award.)

Unlike quite a few of you, this year's honoree was not born into the car wash business ... he married into it. But, once he was in the industry, he very quickly became part of the NECA family which was in its very first years.

Here's how it all began. While at UMass Dartmouth, both going to school and working full time, he met his wife. After marrying in 1975, he became the manager of one of her family's  car washes. In the beginning, he wasn't much of a mechanic but his father in law, who was becoming more like a father to him every day (and is a founding member of NECA), was a good teacher. By 1985, he was the general manager of all four company locations and to this day, is on call 24/7. His mechanical skill and expertise is well known so he has become the go-to guy for many of our members when they need advice about mechanical issues.

His commitment to his family naturally comes first although the industry and NECA are not far behind. He's the very proud dad of 2 daughters and a son, and soon to be a grandfather. His family still gathers every Thursday night for the wonderful meals he cooks. Some of us have had the good fortune to experience his culinary skills.

To say he's devoted to the business and our association is an understatement, and that commitment to service was ingrained in his youth. He grew up as a Scout and rose to Eagle Scout by age 14. He was a Scout leader and encouraged his son to achieve Eagle Scout status as well. His devotion to his children included coaching Pop Warner, Babe Ruth Baseball, the Waltham's Girl's Softball League and service as President of the Waltham's Girl's Softball League. In addition, he's a 4th Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council of Sacred Heart, served as their financial secretary and is a Chancellor of the K of C.

Through all of this, he has always found time for NECA. He is a founding member of the NRCC, still representing NECA to this day, and has served as NECA's President not once but twice, returning to office when we were in need of an experienced leader. He has served as a member of the Board and as an active committee member for many years, was instrumental in the development of the NECA scholarship program, and supports NECA's activities in countless other ways. We often call upon him as our institutional memory, and he has led many by law and governance reviews that has helped NECA evolve.

If he's not at a meeting, his absence is noticed and presence missed. Fortunately, he's here tonight so we can say, thank you Ron Bousquet. "You Make It Happen!"