Spader® Business Management

Media Kit

Our History

Spader Business Management traces its roots to the 1970s. Times were tough for the RV industry. Rising fuel prices and high interest rates were forcing even the best dealers to close their doors. Duane Spader was one of those RV dealers hard-pressed by the times.

Duane took the opportunity to really examine his own management practices with a critical eye. He identified key principles he could build upon to help him succeed through this trying time.

Duane's experience became the foundation of a company that's in business to help businesses. For more than 30 years, Spader Business Management has expanded on the knowledge and experience that came from improving Duane's dealership, and applied them to small businesses worldwide.

Spader Business Management got its start in the RV industry but soon recognized their business principles could help any industry or small business. They now work with many industries including farm equipment, lighting showroom, marine, motorcoach, office furniture, powersports, RV and trailers.

Fast Facts

Founded in 1976 by Duane Spader.
Employs just more than 40 employees.
More than 5,000 businesses have sought out Spader Business Management's expertise.
More than 3,500 people from 1.500 businesses have successfully completed Spader's Total Management Workshop.
Spader's clients are rooted in many industries including farm equipment, lighting showroom, marine, motorcoach, motorcycles, office furniture, powersports, RV and trailers.
Located in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Our People

One of the greatest advantages offered by our company is the people who work here. These are the people responsible for founding and growing our firm, and helping our clients create and sustain a competitive advantage. We strive to hire the most experienced professionals that are committed to creating a better world one business at a time.

Leadership

John Spader, President

John Spader has worked closely with individual businesses in a variety of industries located in several countries as a small business management resource provider and Spader 20 Group facilitator. He is one of the primary instructors of the popular Total Management Workshop and also presents various other workshops and seminars related to business management. He has also consulted and worked with associations and manufacturers, always with the focus on privately-owned businesses whose owners' savings are on the line. Spader is the author of articles which have appeared in many industry journals and he has spoke to numerous groups including Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association of America, Marine Retailers Association of America, North American Equipment Dealers Association and Outdoor Power Equipment Institute. He is based in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Duane Spader, Founder

Duane Spader founded Spader Business Management based on his experiences and struggles as a dealer in the RV industry. He created the popular Total Management Workshop he first presented more than 25 years ago, and still presents various seminars related to business management. He is known for his &down to earth' approach to managing business. He has been instrumental in establishing 20 Groups in varied industries, such as marine, RV, farm equipment, office furniture, lighting showroom, motorcoach and others. Spader continues to serve as a 20 Group facilitator and consults with associations and manufacturers; always with the focus on the privately-owned business whose owners' savings are on the line. He has served as a national director, secretary, president, and chairman of the board for the national RV Dealers Association. He has been director of education for the Marine Retailers Association of America. He received the Irv Rosenthal Award from the Marine Retailers Association of America; the President's Award from Life Associates, the James B. Summers Award from RVDA and the RVDA Chairman's Award for continuing contributions to the RV industry. Spader was elected to the RV/MH Hall of Fame in 2004. He is based in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Noel Lais, Vice President

Noel Lais has more than 30 years experience with Spader in accounting, specializing in accounting principles for dealerships in the marine, recreation vehicle, farm equipment, powersports, office furniture and lighting showroom industries. He helped establish Spader 20 Groups and managed the development of Spader Software. He also serves as a facilitator for Spader 20 Groups. He is based in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Industry Practice Area

Bob Azevedo, Facilitator/Consultant

Bob Azevedo works with businesses primarily in the RV, marine and farm equipment industries. A CPA by trade, he left accounting for the fun and challenge of operating RV dealerships in the San Francisco Bay area. During his 35 years as an RV dealer, Azevedo was active in dealer organizations at all levels. He founded the California RV Dealers Association, the South Bay Dealers Association and the East Bay Dealers Association. He served in a variety of board positions at the state level and was president of both the South Bay and East Bay Dealers Associations. Azevedo was also president and chairman of the board of the national RV Dealers Association and was award the prestigious James B. Summers Award recognizing his many contributions to the RV industry. He is based in Los Osos, Calif.

Dan Westegaard, Trainer/Facilitator

Dan Westegaard is a primary instructor of Spader's Profit Strategies and Parts & Accessories Management Workshops. He also presents other workshops and seminars related to business management and serves as facilitator of Spader 20 Groups in various industries. Westegaard's background is in farm equipment. He worked for a major manufacturer for 16 years in service and sales, and he managed multi-store farm equipment dealerships for more than 10 years. He is based in Sioux Falls, S.D.

IMAGE GALLERY & MEDIA RESOURCES

All images, unless specified otherwise, are copyright Spader Business Management, 2007, all rights reserved. These images are available for use, unaltered, in support of editorial and business publications about Spader Business Management. They may not be used for any other purposes, commercial or otherwise.

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