ALCO OFFICE PRODUCTS

BELOW IS A LIST OF "WHO WE WERE"

(click on the name to go to their site or scroll through)
CLICK ON OLDER POSTS AT BOTTOM OF EACH PAGE

Mike Abram,  Lee Archer,  Paul Archer,  Earl Benson,  Matt Blakney,  Rick Bixler,  T. Talbott Bond,  Linda Carlisle,  Herb Chambers,  Bill Cracklen,   Bill Curran,  Rick Davis,  Mike DeCoursey,  Tom Deverell,  Peter Dierickx,  Kurt Dinkelacker,  Mike Dudek,   Don Dudine , 

Ted Edwards, Gil Exler, Harry Farnham, Steve Fedell, George Fortino, Joe Gianascoli, Hallie Gibbs,, Dick Gozon, Jim Hastings,  Jim Head, Jack Hendrickson, John Hey, Charlie Hollis, Tee Hooper, 

Carroll Hortman,  Jim Hoving, Rolf Jenson, Tom Johnson, Ed Kane, Bob Kearns, Bob Keck, Tom Kemp, Jim Kincer, Brian King, Jon King, Larry Kludt, Mike Koether, 

David Mackintosh, Rick Maier, Gary Martin, Guy Mattola, Ray Mundt, Haruo Murase, Bob O'Brien, John Peters, Paul Pierce, Worth Probst, Bill Reilly, Curt Richter, Steve Rolla, 

Peter Shoemaker, John Stuart,  Barry Taylor, Jim Teel, Mike Thomas  

More names will be added as we build pages

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We did it "Our"Way"

"Click Here"

PLEASE READ>>> When you get to bottom of each page, click "Older Posts" to see more

Earl Benson

Earl - 2011

Earl Benson 1994

Earl Benson  ALCO 
ACME Business Products 
Email (Click Here)

Prior to founding Acme Business Products in 1979, Earl Benson drove a bread truck, delivering bread to groceries and restaurants.  From '79 to '83 and beyond, Earl grew ACME to be one of the largest and leading privately owned office equipment companies in the nation, respected by customers, vendors and manufacturers alike.  Earl sold ACME Business Products, to AOP in 1983 and continued expanding his regional and national responsibilities with AOP until retiring just a few years ago. 

Earl and Sandy  1992  Peter and Ros

Before AOP and while part of the growing office equipment giant, Earl was know as a very strong, hard working, soft spoken, southern gentleman, and "that he was"!  He expected great things from everyone and usually got it!  Earl was definitely a leader in our industry and understood every aspect of this business inside and out.  

Earl and Sandra 2011

Earl and Sandra 1994

Today, Earl and Sandra still live in their beautiful home in Macon and he spends his retirement with Sandra and his family.  "Personally, it was a real pleasure working with Mr. Benson"!   The link below talks more about the kind of people that Earl and Sandy are, please take a look. 

Sandra and Earl on one of our Hawaii trips

On 9/24/11 Acme held a reunion Click to see comments from the reunion.

EARLY ACME NEWSPAPER AD BELOW

Rick Maier

Rick 2010

Rick 19con, GA

Email: Click Here
Birthday: June 16

Rick was originally from Wilmington, Delaware.  He moved to Macon, GA in 1984 to become President of ALCO's IOS Capital.    IOS Capital was formed to provide lease financing primarily for office equipment marketed in U.S. marketplaces. IOS Capital would later become one of the largest captive finance companies in North America. Rick left IOS in 2000.
Click on this link to see the wonderful people who created and ran Alco Capital Resources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xre4RsHNTJE  

Rick 2012

Rick started writing in 1990 and has published  several books and numerous articles.  To learn more about Ricks books and writing, 

click here:https://www.rickmaier.com

Rick 1993

Rick has three adult children and is a board member of  Martha Bowman Church and serves on several boards including Stratford Academy,  Friends of the Trail,  Rotary, Ocmulgee Heritage Trail, College CFO Groups, Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences and The Chamber of Commerce.

Comments by Rick Maier: "I majored in accounting in college to avoid a lot of reading and writing.  As my career in corporate finance advanced, I realized that writing was the key to getting things done; soon my co-workers were calling me ‘memo man’.  In the mid-nineties, I began writing editorials to our local paper and took a couple creative writing courses at Wesleyan College.  Just as 5K road races lead to 10Ks which lead to marathons, short articles led to longer pieces and I began writing Bone Dust in 1998.  It takes me a few months to write a novel, and years to edit.  I ask friends to read the story along the way and take their comments to heart.  This collaborative style works for me, and I hope my friends realize how much I appreciate their help.  Writing is now a primary hobby for me, although it’s not always easy to find time between the often pressing demands of kids, work and social activities. I’ve also found that reading popular fiction is a great way to improve my own writing skills. The most popular authors (e.g. Dan Brown, John Grisham, J. K. Rowling) took ten years and three books to get noticed.  Orange Terrace represents the first decade and third book of my adventure".

John Hey

John Hey 2010 

John Hey 1990

John Hey ALCO
D.C. Hey Company

Email:  Click Here 

Phone:  Click Here

John Hey began his career with the family business, the D.C. Hey Company in 1973 and became owner and president in 1985.  He grew the business from $5 million to more than $170 million in sales and had more than 1,250 employees.  The D.C. Hey Company became an AOP partner in the early 1990's and John continued to oversee and grow the business as President, and later becoming a regional director  for the AOP.

John and Sandy in 1995

Today, John and Sandy still live in Minneapolis and spend as much time as possible in Naples, FL.  Both of their adult children still live in Minneapolis (No marriages and no grand children at this writing).  Sandy, sold her Minneapolis theater in 2004 but continues to do some production and consulting work in the theater business. John is an associate of "Strategic Business Associates" which he and John Hanson founded in 2001.Strategic Business Associates works with leading entrepreneurs in the US Office Imaging industry. SBA provides unique expertise that blends leadership and management skills, business analysis, growth strategies, and profitability improvement. Including: Leadership skills and training for Business Owners & Key Management,  Business performance analysis using our “Model for Success”, Growth strategies, including Acquisition, Profitability strategies, Business Plan development, Performance based compensation plans, Exit strategies and Implementation of Best Practices.

Jim Hovinga

Jim Hovinga ALCO

Hovinga Business Machines Grand Haven, MI
Hovinga Business Machines, Inc. was founded in May 1973 by Jim Hovinga and was purchased by ALCO in 1989.

Jim Hovinga of Hovinga Business Machines, was one of the early companies purchased by ALCO.  Jim was not only a very nice gentleman, he was also an excellent businessman but didn’t stay long with ALCO/IKON.  He left IKON in 1996 and formed JPH Properties,  in 1997 Jim formed JPHP Capital,  in 2006 he founded Mojo Group Too and JPHP Condo in 2007, all in Grand Haven, MI.   JimA became very successful (again) in the property, construction and finance business in Michigan.  

Today, Jim and Debra still live in the Grand Haven area and if you have information or details about Jim Hovinga, please email me at this email address.  

 

Hallie Gibbs

Hallie 1990

Hallie Gibbs 1996

Hallie H. Gibbs  ALCO
Modern Business Systems
Email  (Clidk Here)

Phone (Click Here)
Prior to founding Modern Business Systems in 1965, Hallie was a barber in Central Illinois.  He and Paul Pierce started Modern by selling copy machines out of a garage and grew it to be the largest independent copier dealer in the United States.  Hallie sold Modern Business Systems to AOP and became a partner in 1982.  He retired from AOP in 1996.

Hallie mentioned that his son Bruce, whom many of you know, was co-founded GFI Digital office equipment business in Saint Louis in 1999. "GFI" stands for Gibbs Family Investments.

Hallie 1992

Hallie 1992

Today, Hallie and Karen still reside in Jefferson City, MO but winter in Palm Springs!  As you may remember, Hallie was always big on "motor coaching".  He has recently acquired a Newel Motor Coach, one of the finest available!  He and Karen  travel the country when-ever and where-ever they get the urge.  Hallie served as chairman of the Easter Seals Telethon in 1988 and 1989 and Honorary Chairmanof the Easter Seals "Walk- With-Me" from 2004 through 2007, raising more than $100,000 for Easter Seals in Jefferson City. In 2007 the Missouri House of Representatives honored Hallie and Karen as Exemplary Citizens in local communities and neighborhoods through excellence of their endeavors as entrepreneurs and philanthropists.  It is also obvious that Hallie and Karen are very proud of their children and 12 grandchildren. To say the least, they are really enjoying their retirement!  

Every year (for 33 years) Hallie takes a group of friends and associates pheasant hunting which has become a highlight of the year for him!

Hallie and Karen are doing great but both had knee replacement surgery in the fall of 2012 and after recovery they both were as good as new and didn't slow down at all.  Karen recently (Jan. 2014) had back surgery and is recovering at home in Jefferson City. 

Hallie Gibbs

In 2019 The Jefferson City Magazine honored Hallie with the article:  "The American Dream"  click here to read.

John Peters

John Peters (2009)

John Peters  ALCO
Acme
Atlanta, GA
Email (Click Here)

Prior to joining ACME in 1979, as Sales Manager, John was with the Xerox Corporation for a number of years. When ACME became part of AOP in 1983, John quickly assumed more and more responsibilities as the Director of Sales, VP of Sales, Sr VP and ultimately John became the Atlanta Region General Manager.  He retired from AOP in 1997 and shortly thereafter, founded Aqua Koolers (a water purification and cooler company) in Atlanta.  Aqua Koolers became the largest water cooler company in the south and in 2006 the company was merged with Bob Kearns, Ed Kane, Don Dudine, Jim Kincer, Rich Bova and Jon King (all in the water business) to form the largest drinking water-cooler company in America called Quench USA. 

Ann and John 2012

John and Ann 1973

With one son, Andy and two beautiful grandchildren, John and Ann live in Atlanta and in Vero Beach, Florida.  They spend as much time as possible with family, friends and grandchildren! Every New Years, John and Ann spend the holiday at Hilton Head with family.  This has been a family tradition for many years, long before AOP had our annual POP club meetings there! John and Ann were married in 1973 and enjoy traveling, music, wind chimes, baseball cards, all sports and teaching sales people how to win success!  

John Peters (2013)

A note that you may not know, John has one of the largest and most valuable baseball-card collections in the country! John has collected every Major Player's Rookie card from 1949 through 1993, except that of Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays! 

John and Andy Peters 2023

Click for Phone Number             Click for Email Address

Tom Johnson

Tom Johnson ALCO
Global Imaging Systems
Email (Click Here)

Tom was with ALCO from 1975  until 1989, holding various positions.  However, during the Alco Office Products (AOP) early years he was the Vice President of Operations responsible for acquisitions and assisting under-performing companies. 

From 1989-1990, Tom served as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Danka Business Systems and from 1990 until 1994 at which time he did industry consultant, assisting more than 25 independent dealers with growing their businesses through acquisitions.  

In 1994 Tom Johnson founded Global Imaging Systems which became a publicly traded company in 1998, and was named by Forbes Magazine as one of the 400 Best Big Companies in America in 2007. After growing Global to nearly 1.5 billion dollars he sold the company to Xerox Corporation in 2007.

Tom and his wife Jane are major benefactors to the University of Florida, where He is on the Board of the Warrington College of Business and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.  Tom is also the namesake for the Thomas S. Johnson Masters in Entrepreneurship and the Head Coaches Office (Will Muschamp).  In 2007 Tom was named a Distinguished Alumnus, and served as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Business School.  He also serves as a Distinguished Director for Gator Boosters, Inc.

Today, he is retired, and reside on their 500 acre ranch in Dade City, just north of Tampa. As one might expect, he stays busy in his retirement developing and growing a few start-up companies (not in the copier industry). 
Tom and Jane  spend time supporting the “Gators” and spending time with friends, four adult children and especially their six grandchildren.  


Click on this paragraph to see what Tom said was the one accomplishment that he is most proud: "The Thomas S. Johnson Master of Science in Entrepreneurship Program (MSE) at the Hough Graduate School of Business at the Warrington College of Business".

Gil Exler

Gil 1994

Gil Exler  ALCO

Gil and Stella Exler 2006

XTEC Office Systems
Email:  (Click Here)
In 1989, Gil and ETEC Joined AOP in 1989 and Gil continued to operate XTEC until he retired in 1996 at which time he and Stella moved to Scottsdale, AZ.  Gil is a stand-up guy liked by everyone that he meets!

Gil spent 16 years as a executive with Xerox in several east coast cities and XEROX relocated him to Philadelphia to head the company's local office. After six years of successfully managing the Xerox operation, he felt by being more flexible and more responsive to the business needs of the customers, he could provide a higher level of service.  In 1983, with two Xerox sales managers, Ed Sasinowski and Al Nahmias, and two technical representatives, Gil founded XTEC Office Systems. Today, Gil and Stella live in Scottsdale, AZ

Stella and Gil Exler 1991

Guy Mattola

Guy Mattola ALCO  
Allegheny Business Machines
Pittsburg, PA
Email: (Click Here)


Allegheny Business Machines in Pittsburg,  became an AOP partner in 1989.  Guy A. Mattola was the president of Allegheny, with the belief that the future of the office equipment industry belonged to those who offered the best technology and supported their customers with the highest quality of service possible. And that is exactly what Allegheny did.  

Today, Guy is very involved with the City of Pittsburg and County of Allegheny.  In addition to being the Co-Chairman of the Allegheny Port Authority Board, he is the chairman of the Port Authority Board of Directors Planning & Development Committee and a member of the Governance Committee.  Mr. Mattola serves on the Finance Committee of St. Joan of Arc Church and is an annual supporter of the Allegheny Valley School and Pittsburgh Vision.  



Guy's wife Linda, passed away in January of 2017. Click here to read her obituary.

Lee Archer

Lee in 2011

Peter Shoemaker and Lee Archer 1993

Lee Archer ALCO
Associated Business Products
Salt Lake City
Email (Click Here)
Phone:  (Click Here)

Founder of Associated Business Products, which became one of the Great AOP companies! He became the Rocky Mountain District President from 1990 to 1998. 

Upon leaving AOP, Lee Founded "Copiers Now" in 1999, and sold the Technology developed in this enterprise in 2002.  He then founded Associated Payroll Systems in 2002 and sold this company in 2005. From 2005 to 2006 worked as an Executive in Residence for the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah. In 2006, Lee co- purchased controlling interest in VFC, a specialty construction business engaged in the Lightning Protection and Grounding Business doing business in 26 States, in 2010 sold his interest in this company. 

In August of 2011 Lee co-purchased controlling interest in Salt Lake Legal LLC and continues today as its President.

Lee was Board Chairman for Canon USA’s National Dealer Advisory Board, he has also served as Board chairman for Children’s Aid Society of Utah and Delta Sigma Foundation, and a member of the YMCA Utah board. He served his country as an Army Officer in the Armor Branch for 13 years. Mr. Archer received his B.S. and MBA from the University of Utah. 

Leslie Archer                                                 Lee Archer                                                                          Bill Curran