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Todd Phalen, Black Brothers Company's Director of Sales, has been bestowed the prestigious Ralph B. Baldwin Award of Excellence by the Woodworking Industry Association. This top award recognizes the 25-year veteran’s outstanding contributions to the woodworking machinery and ancillary equipment industry.
Phalen is an active member in the WIA (formally WCMA) and joined the Board of Directors in 2018 having served as Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice President. He is the second member of Black Bros. to earn the award with James. S. Carroll winning in 1986.
“Todd has been a dynamic leader in the woodworking machinery industry,” said Black Bros. CEO Matthew Carroll. “His customer-focused leadership has driven record-breaking sales and product innovation, and he is a widely-respected mentor, connector, and advocate — an exceptional leader in every sense.”
Within the WIA, Phalen was the driving force in implementing and overseeing annual sales trainings which championed growth and participation. He regularly influenced members to become more involved and help make a difference. Even more, his guidance played a key role in the recent WMMA and WMIA merger to assure a seamless union and strengthen its mission and overall health. Phalen is a 11-time participant at the International Woodworking Fair and is regularly active at industry events of all kinds.
Nominator Clay Coss, Marketing Manager at Black Bros., praised Phalen’s leadership. “Todd is an exceptional communicator and listener, respected for his mentorship, industry insight, and selfless commitment to progress.”
Beyond the workplace, Phalen is a staple in civic and charitable activities. He has been a huge player in the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce, serving as president in 2003 and winning the Horace Hume Outstanding Service Award in 2020. He formally served on the Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees and has been a registered sports official for football and basketball for nearly 40 years.
The mission of the WIA is to improve management operations, marketing programs, sales techniques, merchandising, and distribution functions of those engaged in the domestic or foreign manufacture of woodworking machinery and ancillary equipment and/or the sale of such equipment in North America.
