After about a quarter of a century, TROFF Medical President and Founder Michael Helms is retiring.
The Hendersonville, North Carolina company began offering imaging parts and equipment in 1991 and grew thanks to great relationships with customers, vendors, and competitors in the industry. However, after conversations with family members Mike has decided to “close operations here at TROFF Medical effective April 1.”
“I want to say ‘Thank you’ to an industry that has been really good to my family and me,” Mike said in a telephone interview. “I want to thank MD Publishing, all our customers, fellow vendors and all the people we have worked with over the years.”
Mike, an avid fisherman, will now have more time for his hobbies. And he looks forward to having a relationship with his family outside work.
“It’s time for me to find my fishing poles, boat, and my guitar and go to the coast and relax for a while,” Mike said. “I want to spend more time with my family. I want to spend time with my mother and father and spend time with my son outside of a work environment.”
Mike said he will remain active in regards to some rental properties that he and his wife Pam own and he will entertain future opportunities in an entirely new light.
“I will look at other opportunities if they come along, but I plan to relax,” he said. “I’m retiring, but nobody in my family really retires. I have rental properties to manage, but the day-to-day grind, I am ready to get away from it.”
Mike said he knows people often feel awkward when somebody retires or leaves the industry because they don’t know what to say, but he wants to hear from the “folks.”
“Feel free to call me. I’d like to talk with you,” Mike said explaining that this is not a sad time. “I’m happy to be in this position! It’s kind of liberating (to retire). I’ve been in the medical industry for 37 years, having started when I was 25 and that’s long enough. I’m ready to go play without the guilt, of not being on the job.”
“I am looking forward with expectation to what God has in store for Pam and me in the future, and BTW…. the ponytail is just about here!”
“Thanks to everyone and may God Bless.”
