1. www.aedfoundation.orgwww.aedfoundation.org www.aedfoundation.org
The AED Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary!
Directed by AED members, The AED Foundation (AEDF) addresses professional education and
workforce development in the industry. The Foundation enhances the success of member companies
by encouraging continuous learning, providing educational opportunities for today’s employees and
improving the availability and quality of equipment industry employees for the future.
When you invest in The Foundation, you are supporting the progress The Foundation is making
for the construction equipment distribution industry: AEDF accreditation of colleges, workforce
research, industry-specific educational opportunities, management certification and more!
Looking to Accredit a School Near You?
The following steps walk you through The AED Foundation accreditation process:
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Dealer contacts AEDF to start the process.
Dealers and AEDF form task force with
stakeholder representation from dealers,
manufacturers and the technical college.
Task force leaders are chosen, including
a dedicated and committed chairperson.
Workforce “champions” are designated for
each participating company.
AED technical standards provided by The
Foundation are reviewed by task force and
the school.
Task force does a “gap” analysis to identify
where the program is versus where it should
be based on AED technical standards.
The group develops a plan to address the “gap”.
This should include individual assignments,
accountability and due dates.
The plan is executed and the results are
evaluated through the process. Corrective
planning and actions occur as needed.
AED accreditation application is submitted and
reviewed by AEDF Evaluation Team Leaders,
(ETLs). Any remaining issues are identified and
addressed.
The on-site validation visit takes place by AED
Evaluation Team Leaders. If the visit indicates
that the program meets with AED standards,
the school becomes an AED accredited school.
A school is accredited for five years. During year five,
the school re-accredits via the same process.
The AED Foundation Board of Directors 2016
A. Roy Kern
Foundation Immediate Past Chairman
Equipment Corporation of America
Robert K. Henderson
Foundation President
The AED Foundation
Dennis Vander Molen
Foundation Chairman
Vermeer MidSouth, Inc.
John D. Crum
Foundation Treasurer
Wells Fargo Equipment Finance
AEDF ACCREDITED PROGRAMS
The blue dots represent
AEDF accredited
colleges that meet the
requirements of AEDF’s
national technical
standards for diesel-
equipment technology
programs.
The yellow dots identify
prospect colleges.
Is there an opportunity in your state for an
AEDF accredited school?
Todd Coffey
Brandeis Machinery and Supply Co.
Gary Bridwell
Ditch Witch of Oklahoma
David Reilly
John Deere Construction & Forestry
Kenneth Silverman
Volvo Construction Equipment
Region Americas
Sonja Metzler
Ohio CAT
Mike Hayes
Komatsu America Corporation
Anthony Fassino
Caterpillar, Inc.
Dr. Donald M. Claycomb
State Technical College of Missouri
Contact The Foundation to start the accreditation process today!
Building a dealer model for success
39 programs accredited
at 29 colleges
Executive Committee Directors
School is identified and contacted by
task force. Commitment is made by all
stakeholders to pursue AED accreditation.
Michael Brennan
AED Board Representative
Brandeis Machinery & Supply Co.
AEDF accredited
programs produce the
highest calibre diesel
technicians in the
industry.
Working together to increase the number
of qualified technicians, improve industry
image and develop existing employees.
AED Accredited Colleges
Prospect Colleges
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FOUNDATION
25FOUNDATION
Building a dealer model for success

2. www.aedfoundation.org
PROVIDES NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR DIESEL TECHNICIAN PROGRAMS
The standards state requirements for AEDF accreditation. They are an industry statement of what
students should have mastered upon graduation from AED accredited colleges. They require that
technical schools’ curriculum and courses cover all of the technical areas covered by the standards.
They are updated every three years with broad industry representation from dealers, educators and
manufacturers.
ACCREDITATION PROCESS
There are many schools that offer diesel tech programs. However, not all meet our industry’s
requirements. The AED Foundation accreditation process ensures that schools meet dealer
standards. As a part of the accreditation process, The Foundation works with schools and dealers to
assist on-site visits and additional assistance is done through volunteers. The Foundation is currently
working to develop an accreditation process for schools in Canada.
CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIESEL TECHNICIANS
The equipment industry is growing and evolving and so are the career opportunities offered. The
Foundation aims to provide resources and knowledge to individuals looking to enter the industry
as diesel technicians. By promoting and providing information about the benefits of a career as
a technician, there will be more awareness and recognition of dealer career opportunities. The
Foundation does this by working with dealers to connect middle and high school educators, students
and parents to their facilities to change the perceptions and promote careers in the industry.
NEW! LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (LMS)
In 2016, The AED Foundation is excited to present a new learning management system (LMS).
The LMS will offer AED members access to webinars and self-study courses in an “on-demand”
feature. Having all the components online will give users the ability to watch a video or take a
course on their schedule. Also included: library of one hour industry and position-specific webinars
for dealers & platform for employees to take courses for the AED Certified Manager Program.
• Invest $2,000 for access to 2015 webinars for your main location for all of 2016
Celebrating The Foundation’s 25th Year Anniversary
BUILDING A DEALER MODEL FOR SUCCESS
For 25 years, The AED Foundation has been providing training, recruitment and education for the
construction equipment distribution industry. Our goal is to grow and develop employees, which will
improve the quality and success of dealerships for the future.
Through the support of investors, like you, we will be able to continue to expand and develop industry-
specificprofessionaleducationandworkforcedevelopmentprograms.Pleasesupportour25thAnniversary
campaign by investing in the success of our industry via The Foundation’s initiatives.
•Invest $2,000 for access to 2015 webinars for your main location for all of 2016.
•Invest $3,000 for access to 2015 webinars for your main location for all of 2016 & 100 career
brochures with your imprinted company logo on it.
Contributions to The AED Foundation are tax deductible to the extent of the law. The AED Foundation is a
501 (c)(3) educational foundation.
Cameron Pickett, TECHNICIAN PROGRAMS MANAGER
WESTERN STATES EQUIPMENT CO.
“At Western States CAT, we prefer to hire diesel technicians who have graduated from The Foundation’s accredited
programs. These students are more prepared for our industry and make a smoother transition into our shops due to
the AEDF’s high technical and safety standards, which align very well with our organization.”
THE AED FOUNDATION: WHAT DOES YOUR INVESTMENT SUPPORT?
WORKFORCE STUDY
The Foundation partnered with the College of William & Mary to do a study on the construction
equipment workforce. The survey assesses the respondents’ technical workforce: the current
number of technicians, number of open technician positions, technician salary and hiring practices,
among other things. The lack of skilled workers presents challenges to many dealers and to the
economy as a whole. The “skills gap” slows growth, hampers investment and makes it difficult
to satisfy unmet demand. For The AED Foundation to effectively and efficiently advocate on the
industry’s behalf and to forge real solutions, it must have accurate information.
PREPARES INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC EDUCATION FOR DEALER PROFESSIONALS
Continuous education and training within the construction equipment industry is crucial to staying
effective and efficient within your work environment. The Foundation creates live education like the
Financial/HR Symposium, branch, rental and parts & service manager seminars. Additionally, there is
a continual effort to update and develop existing programs with new speakers, locations and topics.
Douglas Hammond, DEPARTMENT CHAIR; AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT COBLESKILL (AEDF ACCREDITED COLLEGE)
“The relationship that The Foundation has helped to facilitate with the member dealers and our SUNY Cobleskill Diesel Technology
students is exceptional. The department has developed many new dealership contacts through this partnership, which in return helps
to keep our coursework relevant and provides job opportunities for students upon graduation. Students leave the program trained on
modern technology to be productive technicians in the workforce. It is a win for all parties involved; students, dealers and the college.“
Steve Stafki, VICE PRESIDENT-SERVICE
GENERAL EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES, INC., AED CERTIFIED PARTS, SERVICE AND BRANCH MANAGER
“The Foundation’s programs not only give a good understanding of basic business practices in our industry, they give the
student the ability to take what is learned and actually apply it to everyday work. There are many training programs out
there, but only one that really benefits the equipment distributor in a way that helps the employee to feel more engaged in
the ‘business’ side of a distributorship.”
Michael Dexter
Midwest Regional Manager
U.S. & Canada
Ph: 630-465-2888
mdexter@aednet.org
Phil Riggs
Western Regional Manager
U.S. & Canada
Ph: 630-465-3622
priggs@aednet.org
Kristin Crooks
South Central Regional Manager
Ph: 630-465-6647
kcrooks@aednet.org
Ben Yates
Eastern Regional Manager
Ph: 630-465-4232
byates@aednet.org
For more information visit: www.aedfoundation.org
If you would like to invest in the Foundation, please contact your regional manager:
www.aedfoundation.org www.aedfoundation.org