IEDA Podcast

Hosted by Kim Phelan

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May 2026

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About the show

Welcome to the IEDA Podcast, we support a network of independent dealers in the used equipment industry who pride themselves on being reputable, highly qualified professionals buying and selling heavy equipment worldwide. Our Members are all approved by our Board of Directors and offer their products and services to the core group. Each episode will highlight a valued member of our network and is designed to add value and insight that you can apply to your own business. It's also a great way for our listeners to get to know who the reputable dealers of the IEDA network are - not only on a professional level, but on a personal level as well. Leading the way is our Host, IEDA Marketing Director, Kim Phelan.

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60 recent

May 22, 2026Episode 6833 min

Rocky Moretti: The Research Force that Helps Win Highway Construction Funding

On Sept. 30, the federal surface transportation bill — The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) — will expire. How will Congress act? Will Congress act on time? These are key questions, and the answers will have enormous impact on states' ability to keep up with ever-increasing maintenance and rebuilds of their roads and bridges. In this episode, we welcome Rocky Moretti to the mic — he's the director of policy and research at TRIP – the National Transportation Research Group, and for the next half-hour, we're introducing what this major research and voice-to-the-media organization is doing to inform the public, state legislatures, and Congress on the dire road and bridge infrastructure needs of the country. Listen in as we discuss exactly what's at stake with the federal bill, how public safety is a major consideration, the trends that are hindering states in road funding, and what long-term reauthorization means to construction equipment dealers. Connect with TRIP: Website Connect with IEDA: Visit IEDA Group Website IEDA Events Produced By: Social Chameleon

April 24, 2026Episode 6731 min

Mike Harmon: Customer Insight Through a Lender's Lens

Tune in for some customer intelligence and perspective, but not from an equipment buyer…but rather from someone who has a front-row seat on buyer activity every day. This month, we're talking to Mike Harmon, vice president of sales at IEDA Associate Member AFG. A well-known IEDA sponsor and advertiser, Harmon brings us some market insight through the back door, you might say, based on his daily interactions with equipment end users as well as independent dealers. Kicking off with a look at trends and rates in the construction equipment finance sector, we then explore what's on the minds of equipment buyers — what they're concerned about and whether optimism or pessimism prevails so far this year. Join us as we discuss buying and pricing trends, too, as well as what dealers can do to sweeten the pot on a stagnating deal. Connect with Mike: LinkedIn Connect with IEDA: Visit IEDA Group Website IEDA Events Produced By: Social Chameleon

March 27, 2026Episode 6630 min

William Zilinski: Are You a Good Leader?

In the early days of your journey to build up a profitable equipment business, you might not have put a lot of emphasis on what it would be like to become a leader. Now that you've got a team, whether small or large, applying good leadership skills may be on your radar, especially when problems crop up. In this episode, we welcome a professional counselor to the mic, bringing a different kind of perspective on what good leadership looks like – and how poor leadership can deeply impact the people in your company. He has spent 25 years counseling people with a wide range of stressors and problems, and for the last 11 years, he has provided counseling services to employees of the US Postal Service. Besides identifying good and bad leadership traits, our guest talks about positive ways to give work-related criticism, the importance of empathy, and inspiring employees to embrace your company's mission and find their "purpose." Connect with William: LinkedIn Connect with IEDA: Visit IEDA Group Website IEDA Events Produced By: Social Chameleon

February 27, 2026Episode 6538 min

Alexandra Levit: Reversing the Hiring Crisis

If your equipment business struggles to find employees, you're not alone. Across all industries, businesses are battling to find anybody who will take their jobs...skilled or unskilled. And business owners are understandably frustrated. However, so are many young people. Some graduate college and can't get a job. Others can't seem to find their way, unable to connect their interests to a career and wage they can live on. Our guest expert this month, Alexandra Levit, brings fresh insight from her new book, Make School Work. This conversation will not only get you thinking about the key concept of work-based learning, it may inspire you to take action that will benefit both your dealership and your community. "Smaller companies are in the perfect place to accomplish a really meaningful work-based learning program," says Levit. If random acts of work-based learning aren't working – like doing one-off career fairs or giving one group of students a tour of your company – maybe it's time for something more intentional and long-lasting. Is this about apprenticeships? Yes, but there's so much more. Will it be work for you? Yes, but it will be a worthwhile effort. Levit hands you ideas and resources for creating a work-based learning blueprint that fits your business. But don't worry: "You don't have to boil the ocean all at once," she adds. Join us for some new perspective on a nagging problem you might finally be able to fix. Connect with Alexandra: LinkedIn Connect with IEDA: Visit IEDA Group Website IEDA Events Produced By: Social Chameleon

January 23, 2026Episode 6430 min

Marty McCarthy & Brian Marron: The Business Benefits of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act"

As the new year begins, many business owners are turning their attention to taxes. In this episode, we sit down with CPAs Marty McCarthy and Brian Marron, both directors at CBIZ who specialize in supporting construction-related companies. Together, they break down several key ways the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA) affects independent equipment dealers. One of the most significant benefits under OBBBA is bonus depreciation, and our guests explain how dealers can use these changes not only for tax efficiency, but also as a strategic sales tool—while still maximizing advantages on the rental side of the business. The conversation also covers permanent increases to estate and gift tax exemptions, which can support long-term estate planning, as well as changes to interest expense deductions for capital-intensive operations. For IEDA members, these provisions present real opportunities to improve cash flow and make more informed business decisions. McCarthy and Marron emphasize the importance of regularly reviewing tax structures, accounting methods, and planning strategies to ensure dealers are fully leveraging current tax laws. Step one: tune in for their expert insights, practical explanations, and actionable advice. Connect with our Guests: Marty McCarthy Brian Marron Connect with IEDA: Visit IEDA Group Website IEDA Events Produced By: Social Chameleon

December 19, 2025Episode 6333 min

Dave Gordon: The IEDA "What's Up" Round-Up

In this last edition of 2025, we're unpacking two of the association's most important initiatives: (1) the Foundation's scholarships for deserving technician students and (2) some exciting changes and highlights for the Annual Meeting February 13–15. If you love the IEDA and love the construction equipment industry, this is a conversation you don't want to miss. Host Kim Phelan and IEDA Executive Director Dave Gordon update you on the impressive growth of the association's scholarship program and how you can engage with the IEDA Foundation to help protect and fuel its successful trajectory. We're also throwing the spotlight on important Know Before You Go details about the grandest IEDA event of the year coming to Orlando at the Reunion Resort. Listen up for big auction news, our "killer" keynote, plus a brand-new gathering just for IEDA wives and significant others. Guys: It's Valentine's weekend, so plan now to bring the lady in your life! PS: We've got the inside scoop on IEDA's big bash at ConExpo, too. Grab your phone or laptop and join us for this light and informative December episode. Connect with IEDA: Visit IEDA Group Website IEDA Events Produced By: Social Chameleon

November 20, 2025Episode 6229 min

Mitch Helman: Fall Auction Trends

Mitch Helman, Sales Manager at Sandhills' AuctionTime, joins the program to talk about heavy construction equipment values, inventories, and other trends he's observing this fall. To kick things off, we're unpacking highlights from the Sandhills October Used Construction Equipment Report, and making a few predictions on how November's report will compare. Mitch talks about different types of equipment buyers and how their mindsets differ. He's also got something to say about dealers and the root cause of the current inventory situation. Tune in for clues about the stability of the used market and what he's expecting from November and December auction outcomes. You'll also hear his two pieces of advice for IEDA dealers before we cross the end zone on this month's episode. Connect with Mitch: LinkedIn AuctionTime Website Sandhills Website Connect with IEDA: Visit IEDA Group Website IEDA Events Produced By: Social Chameleon

October 24, 2025Episode 6130 min

Sarah Martin: Seize Opportunities with New Project Data

Sarah Martin from Dodge Construction Network returns this month to share the latest activity trends and her outlook for 2026 and 2027. As associate director of forecasting at Dodge, she brings insights into sectors that are thriving as well as those showing steady momentum. So, are contractors and construction business owners confident? Not exactly. But they have grown accustomed to—and perhaps more tolerant of—the uncertainty surrounding the economy and trade policies. Projects are still moving forward, though Martin notes they're taking significantly longer to progress from planning to groundbreaking, a trend worth watching. Learn how the Dodge Momentum Index—published each month in IEDA's Scoop newsletter—can serve as a practical tool for independent dealers, along with other free data and trend reports available from Dodge. Connect with Sarah: LinkedIn Dodge Construction Network Website Connect with IEDA: Visit IEDA Group Website IEDA Events Produced By: Social Chameleon

September 19, 2025Episode 6027 min

Cody Bork: No Matter What, Scholarships Matter

In this episode, we're talking with Cody Bork, instructor at Western Technical College's heavy diesel program. His new fall students are wired for fixing equipment, and he's in awe of their technical savvy and thirst for learning. Bork has witnessed the effect of IEDA scholarships on several students. Thanks to the IEDA Foundation, individual merit-based scholarships of $5,000 each have a profound impact on hard-working students who are trying to clear all hurdles to achieve their goal of becoming heavy equipment service technicians. Join us as we talk about his observations on trends, the importance of company culture and communication, and what's essential to the next generation of young technicians entering the CE industry. Visit Western Technical College: https://www.westerntc.edu/ Connect with IEDA: Visit IEDA Group Website IEDA Events Produced By: Social Chameleon

August 22, 2025Episode 5935 min

Frank Hurtte: Hire Slow, Fire Fast

Although our title may not sound like it, this month we're talking about helping new and younger sales talent succeed in your dealership so that your dealership reaps success from their work. Our guest expert is Frank Hurtte, an industrial sales pro for almost 50 years and founder of River Heights Consulting. Author of "The New Sales Guy Project" and several other books, as well as a speaker and magazine columnist, Frank recently wrote: "Sales is the only part of your company that consistently turns cost into cash. "Is your sales team an engine driving revenue?" he added. "Or are they a herd of expense-report addicts wandering aimlessly from customer to customer like stray cats? If you're just spending on sales, you're doing it wrong. Sales isn't supposed to be a warm body with a logo shirt and a business card. It's supposed to be your sharpest weapon." He doesn't mince words. In this month's episode, we explore the role of the sales manager in coaching and mentoring new salespeople, as well as the kind of structure needed to bring them along and hold them accountable. We also talk about communication and value – and what the new sales guy or gal needs to bring to the table with each customer interaction. Connect with Frank: LinkedIn River Heights Consulting Website Connect with IEDA: Visit IEDA Group Website IEDA Events Produced By: Social Chameleon