Rob Lyons is president of TIPCO Technologies, a hose and related products distributorship in Owings Mills, Md. Contact him at robl@tipcotec.com.

HOW HAS BUSINESS BEEN LATELY? Business continues to show favorable growth in the Mid-Atlantic region. We have had to "turn on a dime," and focus on defense and bio-tech sectors, which have outpaced other business opportunities.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR? We are forecasting another double-digit year in growth. Construction and manufacturing both remain strong in the Mid-Atlantic. We are hopeful that the cost of raw materials will level off; will continue to grow the high-purity sector of the business; and plan to open our fifth Aeroquip Express Store.

WHAT IS THE BEST IDEA YOU'VE IMPLEMENTED IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS? NAHAD's Hose Assembly Guidelines; the quality process in our industry is paramount in our business model today.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING DISTRIBUTION TODAY? Recruiting and retaining good quality talent in our industry is a real concern. I have learned that if you find the right person for your company and industry culture, then you had better find a place for them on your staff. If you only hire when a position is open, then your chance of making the wrong hire is extremely high and costly.

WHEN INTERVIEWING POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES, WHAT IS THE BEST QUESTION TO ASK THEM? "Who was the best boss you ever had and why?" This question will profile the personality under which the potential hire prefers to be managed.

IF YOU HAD UNLIMITED RESOURCES, WHAT CHANGE WOULD YOU MAKE IN YOUR BUSINESS? Our resources are already unlimited: if it's people, then we make changes; if it's suppliers, than we make changes; if it's cash, than we must sell more at higher margins.

WHAT IS THE MOST MISUNDERSTOOD ASPECT OF YOUR INDUSTRY? Quality—I think that for the most part we all take quality and safety very seriously. I also think that many manufactures are not in tune with the margins that distribution must yield in order to support overhead and inventory.

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY OTHER JOB IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Division 1 college football coach. The concept of TEAM is at its highest in college football.

WHAT'S YOUR GOLF HANDICAP? YOUR FAVORITE COURSE? My handicap is 18. If I told you any lower, my father may wonder when I'm working. My favorite course is Veranda in Fort Meyers, Fla.

IF YOU COULD CHOOSE SOMEONE, LIVING OR DEAD, TO HAVE LUNCH WITH, WHO WOULD IT BE? That's an easy one: Dave Heckler from Alliance Hose & Rubber. Dave's knowledge in our industry is unmatched. I would ask him if he had a job opening.

NAME A TALENT YOU WISH YOU HAD. I wish I was able to play the guitar. I'm all thumbs with musical instruments.