After 45 years traveling across western Massachusetts as a sales representative of Tyler Equipment, Jim White is calling it a day.

“I’m going to my time share in Marco Island in January and will be in the Naples area for February. After that, I will be making out ’honey-do’ lists for my wife to do during the day,” White said.

Mixed Feelings

White, who worked out of the company’s headquarters in East Longmeadow, Mass., when he wasn’t on the road, began his tenure at Tyler Equipment in 1965. He’ll officially retire on Nov. 1.

“Retirement is a little scary because I enjoyed my job so much, but I’m sure I’ll enjoy retirement,” he said. “Would I do it all over again? In a heartbeat. There wouldn’t be any doubt in my mind. I never, ever, ever thought about making a change.”

“There was never any reason to leave. You were with good people and you felt that you weren’t going to get any better than you are getting here. They are good, honest, sincere people who always supported you 100 percent.”

“It’s more than just selling equipment … it’s the personal contacts and rapport,” he said. “They are honest, up front, and just good down-to-earth people to work for. There’s not a person here that I don’t like. My co-workers have been friends. There has never been any competition, bitterness or fighting. We don’t have any of that.”

The feeling is apparently mutual.

“If someone said describe Jim White in one word — integrity. That’s Jim in a nutshell. He’s positive and he has integrity,” said Bill Tyler, vice president of Tyler Equipment.

“Jim is a good guy. He is well respected and liked in this industry. He was a huge asset to Tyler Equipment. Loyal as the day is long, and a pleasure to work with,” Tyler added.

One for the Memory Books

One of White’s fondest and definitely embarrassing moments was when he was visiting a customer for a demo on a wheel loader.

“I parked the car in a place I shouldn’t have parked it and he backed right over the car. Flattened the entire thing,” he recalled.

Passing on the Reins

Peter Gaj will be taking over White’s position on Nov. 1 as the sales representative in western Massachusetts.

Gaj will be an asset to the company, according to White.

“He’s a pretty sharp kid … service oriented. He will be talking to customers about the service side of things, not just sales,” White said. “I would like to see him do well and I wish him the best of luck.”

Tyler Equipment

Tyler Equipment Corp. is the dealer of Volvo, Rotobec, Sennebogen, Rogers Trailers, Rammer, Genesis, Metso Minerals, Bandit, Carlton and Rawson Manufacturing.

In addition to its East Longmeadow headquarters, Tyler Equipment has a second location in Berlin, Conn.

(This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s Web site at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.) CEG

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