RSPA Inducts Dave McCarthy into Retail Technology Industry Hall of Fame

By: Ayana Scriven, Marketing Communications Manager at the RSPA

Dave McCarthy was inducted into the RSPA (Retail Solutions Providers Association) Retail Technology Industry Hall of Fame at RetailNOW 2022 in Orlando, FL.

McCarthy is a veteran in the point of sale industry. He served as Co-Chairman and Chief Financial Officer at VAR Dumac Business Systems from which he retired in 2021.

McCarthy has been a staple in the RSPA community for 40+ years. He joined the Board of Directors when the association, formerly known as ICRDA (Independent Cash Register Dealers Association), was exclusively comprised of dealers. Today, the RSPA has transitioned to an industry association including all stakeholders of retail technology. McCarthy has served as Board President (now Board Chair), Secretary, and Treasurer of the Board. He maintains his presence with the RSPA as a member of the Endowment Committee. McCarthy also continues to participate in annual RSPA Board meetings. McCarthy concluded his acceptance speech saying, “It has been an honor to serve the RSPA, and I would encourage all members to volunteer as much as your business allows.”

McCarthy was presented by former RSPA Board Chair and Skurla POS Solutions President Lynn Skurla Perkins. Perkins is a dear friend of McCarthy and fellow RSPA member. She presented the award in place of retired APG Cash Drawer (now APG Solutions) President Mark Olson who nominated McCarthy for the RSPA Retail Technology Industry Hall of Fame.

Following is the complete text of Perkins’ introduction speech: 

Good evening. My name is Lynn Skurla Perkins, with Skurla’s POS Solutions, and I am stepping in for Mark Olson tonight – so I have some very big shoes to fill.

If you know Mark, you are probably familiar with some of his “Markisms”

One is: “I find out what my wife wants, and then I insist upon it! And that is why Mark is on a cruise with his wife, Lugene, and is not here tonight to present this award.

But I know if he were here, his speech would include some of these phrases:

  • It’s a journey!
  • You can sleep when you get to the old folks’ home!
  • What could possibly go wrong?
  • And his favorite: Always, always, always … pay by cash.

I don’t know what could possibly go wrong, but I am honored to be here in his place.

This year, the award goes to one of my good friends – a mentor and role model for both my personal and professional life – Dave McCarthy!

Dave has been a member of the association through its many forms (SDA and ICRDA) for many years and has been instrumental in the success of the current RSPA organization. Besides being the resident association historian, Dave has been a huge advocate of the association and has actively supported many of the association’s activities and functions.  

Dave has been a past President (before the position was called “Chair”) and has been very active with the Endowment Committee, the Scholarship Committee, and a mentor to many current and past Association leaders. He frequently attends board meetings as a past President and understands the association bylaws better than anyone else. I know that Dave saved me numerous times when I served as Chair. He is also a past H.O. Whistler award winner.  

Dave is now retired from active day-to-day responsibilities (but I will note – he is certainly not sleeping in the old folks’ home!), and this is an appropriate honor to bestow upon Dave in recognition of his many years of dedication and service to the organization.

Dave, your wisdom, kindness, professionalism, and generosity have helped build this association into what it is today. And that is what brings you to this stage tonight.

We are extremely grateful for all the years you have given to the association. It has been a journey – a great journey, and we can’t think of anyone more deserving. Congratulations. And for Mark’s sake – remember to always, always, always … pay by cash.

Following is the complete text of McCarthy’s acceptance speech:

Thank you to the RSPA for this award, and thank you to Lynn for the very kind words! It is truly an honor to receive it.

I have attended ICRDA and now RSPA for many years. I was first elected to the Board of Directors at the June ICRDA convention in Boston, MA, in 1991. I served as President of ICRDA in 2000, eight different years as the Secretary-Treasurer and still volunteering on the Endowment Committee for a total of 31 years. 

Now we are RSPA after becoming an industry association with vendors as members.

I have always enjoyed volunteering for RSPA in whatever capacity is asked for. I have made so many close friends over the years from both within the membership and Board ranks.

With all of the education RSPA provides, I have gained much more than I have ever given.

It has been an honor to serve the RSPA, and I would encourage all members to volunteer as much as your business allows.

Thank you!

RetailNOW 2022, hosted by the RSPA, was conducted July 24-26 at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, FL. RetailNOW is the retail IT channel’s #1 trade show, education conference, and networking event. It’s Where The Industry Meets! For more information on the event, visit www.GoRSPA.org/RetailNOW.