People will remember Steve Dennison for his knowledge, humor and talent. But just as important, they will recall his interest in and love of the people around him. The director of vendor relations for IMCO died in January at the age of 68.
“He knew every product, product number, manufacturers’ history and every time the name changed,” says IMCO CFO Ashleigh McLaughlin. “We called him our walking encyclopedia. But most of all, Steve knew people. He genuinely cared about everyone and had an amazing sense of humor. We will all miss his laugh and the nicknames he had for everyone in the office. He was an incredible mentor and friend. What we wouldn’t give to have had the opportunity for just one more conversation with him.”
“It isn’t really one thing” that distinguished Dennison from others, added Angie Euston, IMCO’s director of member relations. “It was him being available to talk through things, providing the extra ‘oomph’ when affirming a decision and his crazy photographic memory when it came to products and product numbers. He was a mentor and helped me build confidence in different areas that I took on throughout the years at IMCO. … Steve’s biggest impact was his ability to understand people and to listen. He was happy to help even if it didn’t directly benefit him as long it helped the other person.”
California roots
Born and raised in Bakersfield, California, Dennison graduated from Bakersfield College in 1974, according to Lexi McLaughlin, IMCO’s content marketing specialist, who researched biographical information for a memorial. “During his time in college, he worked in food service and as a front desk clerk at a Hilton Hotel, which he loved, as he was able to meet all kinds of interesting people,” she said.
He began his career in 1975 with Gunner Medical Supply delivering prescriptions and ultimately assuming responsibility for ordering. It was at Gunner that he met his wife, Pam, whom he affectionately called “Cranky.” In 1979 he joined San Jose Surgical Supply, managing its Mid-Valley Surgical Supply-Bakersfield branch for over 28 years. There he gained experience selling exam room equipment, laboratory instrumentation, supplies and pharmaceuticals to physician practices in California and Nevada. In May 2008, Steve and Pam moved to Florida so he could join IMCO as director of vendor relations.
On the job
“Steve had an incredible command of product knowledge and understanding as well as a deep thoughtfulness when helping others out,” said Euston. “He always took the time to talk and dive into his rationale when discussing a business issue or question.”
Ashleigh McLaughlin said, “It’s hard to put into words the legacy that he leaves within the IMCO family and our industry. I have never heard anyone speak negatively about Steve. He had the same calm, collected approach under pressure in a stressful situation as he did casually drinking a beer and talking about music. I can remember the first few times I sat with him during negotiations. I would be thinking, ‘Why isn’t he being more aggressive or pushing a little harder?’ Then I would realize that he was doing all those things, but with a different approach that no one saw coming. He could orchestrate a conversation in the same way that he could music.”
Karen D’Arcy, IMCO’s director of marketing services, said, “We called him ‘The Professor’ because he had the answer to any question you had. He could recite product numbers, packaging, pricing for any product, even if it was from 20 years ago. This was a priceless resource not only for our staff at IMCO, but for our membership. And he always made time to answer your questions, no matter how busy he was. He really enjoyed those one-on-one conversations with everyone.
“He was a great mentor to many and an ambassador for distribution and IMCO, even if he did not know it,” she added. “We have heard from a lot of people … about how much he taught them, just by sharing his time at tradeshows, meetings or on the phone. He wanted our members to succeed and for our vendors to have success selling to distributors. He was great at bringing them together.”
Vendors remembered Dennison fondly as well. “In an industry full of good guys, Steve was one of the best,” said Joel Robinson, executive vice president, Innovative Healthcare Corporation. “He was perpetually happy, always calm, and he liked to make everyone feel relaxed. He always offered valuable advice on how dealers would look at a particular promotion and how sales reps would respond to different offers. If you ever had a sticky situation, Steve would offer up a rational solution often accompanied by a joke. He could always calm the mood.”
Dennison used to call Sabrina Sinclair, sales coordinator for AMD Medicom, his “young friend,” she said. “Attending my first conference as a junior salesperson over 10-years ago was intimidating to say the least. Steve took me under his wing and made me feel like I was part of a family. He had a major impact on the medical sales community through his contributions, expertise and knack for bringing people together. He inspired and supported me throughout my career with Medicom and helped pave the way for collaborative ideas to help build our relationship with IMCO and its distribution partners.”
Always laughing
“Steve saw the humor in everything, even if it was not easy sometimes,” said D’Arcy. “We laughed a lot on our end of the building. He took a real interest in what was going on in our lives and families. He loved hearing about our kids and our pets. He loved animals and I would bring mine in the office to visit him.” He and Pam adopted many special-needs animals over the years and gave them a dignified and loving life, she added.
“Some of my most fond memories with Steve were his conversations with my 8-year-old daughter,” recalled Angie Euston. “While working from my home office, I would be on the voice-over-IP phone with Steve when my daughter would come home from school. He always made a point to ask her about school, things going on in her life and how she was enjoying her piano and singing classes, as music was a lifelong passion of Steve’s. He would follow up our conversation with videos or songs for her to listen to, which was so touching.”
Bluegrass
“Steve was an excellent bluegrass musician, and his knowledge of guitars was no second to his knowledge of the medical industry,” recalled Joel Robinson. “My favorite story about Steve is the time we walked into North Beach Fish Camp in Jacksonville. There was a guitar player and singer in the next room. Steve quickly told me that the guy in the other room was playing a Martin model D-28. I asked how he knew that, and he told me he could hear it in the tone of the guitar. I walked into the other room and sure enough, the musician had a Martin D-28. I was surprised Steve didn’t name the guitar’s color.”
“Back in California, Steve was the bassist of two Bluegrass bands formally and was only a call away to play as a guest with others,” said Lexi McLaughlin. “He also had a special love for guitars and mandolins and could always be found with a guitar pick in his pants pocket and wallet. Steve and his bass, Bass-y Lee, would regularly jam with some of their friends in the St. Augustine, Florida, area. You can find music from his band, Pacific Crest, on Apple Music.”
His presence missed
“There’s been a noticeable emptiness in the IMCO office since Steve’s passing,” Lexi McLaughlin added. “His presence was felt with his welcoming hellos, personalized nicknames and genuine conversations.”
“I know Steve is surrounded by a loving family and a network of business associates,” said Teresa Allen, sales specialist, Major Rugby. “His presence will be greatly missed.”
Sabrina Sinclair said, “Steve had a way of making everyone feel incredibly special. I am going to miss his voice, his infectious smile, and most of all, the singing, dancing and laughter.”
“Steve was a terrific colleague and better person,” said Angie Euston.
In honor of Steve Dennison and his love of music, IMCO is creating an honorary scholarship in his name to help local students of all ages explore their musical passions. Donations can be made to the Volusia County Music Teachers Association (www.VCMTA.org).