277 From the President When I joined Western States in January of 2012, I did so because of the unique mix of talent, experience and camaraderie. It didn’t matter if the Western States people were young, old or somewhere in between, I have been profoundly struck by the level of integrity and dedication we have at our company. I knew immediately I wanted to be a part of it and contribute to the Western States success story. From the time Eugene Roberts started Western States in 1917 to a century later, three core values have withstood the test of time: taking care of the customer is our first priority; continue to be pioneers in the industry through our innovation; and surround ourselves with the best talent. When I joined as the Director of Sales and Marketing, I walked the halls, meeting every person, learning about the company’s history and its greatness. Five years later, as President, I am still in awe of the incredible people who give their time without question and who always go the extra mile. Not because someone tells them to do so but because they understand it’s the Western States Way. Every member of our team understands they have the authority and responsibility to serve our customers and representatives all over the globe. I want to thank all of our past, present and future team members, strategic partners and customers. Many thanks to Douglas Buckner who has served as a mentor, a member of the Board of Directors, and the President/CEO of Western States Machine Company. To Nancy Lewit, whose passion and dedication to this company is a direct reflection of her grandfather, Eugene Roberts’ spirit, my deepest gratitude. Due to the contributions of all our team members and alumni, our company remains a pioneer, a leader, and an innovator in the industry. At Western States, we realize our success is built upon the shoulders of many outstanding people. I look forward to working with our team to lead, guide, and continue our growth into the next century – building upon an already incredible story. Robert Sinnard Jr. President and CEO The Western States Machine Company