07/02/2004
Richard Wilson was concerned with an Alabama state law that unfairly limited his ability as a small engine dealer to collect a better warranty reimbursement rate on services rendered. Larger companies and even those of equal size to his outside of Alabama were capitalizing on this benefit, leaving Wilson and thousands of businessmen like him in the state out in the cold. That's when he decided to act.
Wilson owns and operates Troy Small Motors in Troy. As a dealer and repairman of small engines for machines such as lawnmowers and chainsaws, he often attends technical trade schools to learn about trends and information related to his field. After attending a technician's school last year and learning of the disparity in the law, Wilson contacted his state representative, Alan Boothe (D-Troy), to solicit his help in making some changes to the statute.
Wilson's tenacity paid off, as Boothe and other lawmakers were successful in getting the statute amended, with the corrective legislation being signed into law by Gov. Bob Riley in September of last year.
In fact his story was so compelling that he was featured in the national trade publication Power Equipment Trade in November 2003 to tell his story of how he helped change the state law to better serve his business. He told the magazine that his efforts were aimed at nothing more than leveling the playing fields for small-business owners across the state.
"Richard is a shining example of a member in action," said NFIB/Alabama State Director Rosemary Elebash. "He wasn't satisfied with the answers he was getting so he took matters into his own hands."
To read the article featured in Power Equipment Trade about Wilson and his efforts to change state law, visit www.poweret.com.
