Recipient of the 2025 MDNA Randolph K. Vinson Award John Greene, CEA

Used machinery sales can be a rough-and-tumble world, with all the highs and lows that come with competing for customers’ attention and loyalty. But John Greene, CEA, the recipient of the 2025 Randolph K. Vinson Award from the MDNA, feels right at home there.

The award, named for the man who was MDNA’s professional staff director for more than two decades before his 1965 retirement, is presented to individuals “in recognition of and appreciation for outstanding and continuous contributions to the advancement of MDNA and the used machinery industry.” John received his at the MDNA’s National Convention in New Orleans last May.

John, who is president of FL Sales, Inc., and JG Appraisal Services an appraisal service located in suburban Cleveland, is the only trained and certified foundry appraiser in the U.S. He began his trade association work with the AMEA and moved along to the MDNA almost 25 years ago. He has spent nearly two decades in board positions with both organizations, and relishes the time he has been able to spend with those he considers both competitors and colleagues.

“Networking is probably the number one tool they have that allows all of us to make money by associating us with other dealers,” he says. “There’s a lot of experience out there and the MDNA is an association that brings people together, building camaraderie and friendship. We use the word ‘frenemies,’ because we compete against each other on a daily basis yet we’re friends outside the business environment.

 “I had no clue it was coming,” he said of the Vinson award. “I was surprised, to say the least, and was thrilled to receive it.” Fittingly, he was handed the honor by JohnTaucher, a close friend and fellow MDNA board member. Just consider them “the best of frenemies.”

Randolph K. Vinson Award Recipients

 1955 — Charlie McDonald Sr.*
1956 — Ray A. Vine*
1957 — Harvey H. Goldman*
1958 — Richard M. Nathans*
1959 — William Sharpe*
1960 — Joseph T. Weiss*
1961 — Sigmund Morey*
1962 — Samuel Given*
1963 —Victor Segal*
1964 — Frank Laurens*
1965 — Austin D. Lucas*
1966 — Randolph K. Vinson*
1967 — Belford A. Small*
1968 — Robert W. Rice
1969 — Ralph Hochman*
1970 — Joseph M. O’Connell Jr.*
1971 — Harold Goldstein*
1972 — Saul S. Pearl
1973 — Austin D. Lucas
1974 — Robert C. Atherton
1978 — Sidney A. Mandell*
1982 — Harvey S. Eisen
1982 — Earl Elman
1988 — Arthur Rosen*
1993 — David S. Schwartz
1994 — Clyde D. Batavia, CEA
1997 — Mark K. Rogo, CEA
1998 — Sidney H. Lieberstein*
1999 — John W. Conroy, CEA
2003 — Jack Boecher, AEA
2005 — Jeannine Harris
2012 — Dan Strand
2014 — JR Kraemer
2017 — Rick Levy
2019 — Michael Feinstein
2021 — Ron Shuster
2025 — John Greene