In a second interview with ICv2 (for the first interview, see 'Interview with ACD's New Owner'), Bob Maher, the new President and owner of ACD Distribution, talks more about his background, the events that led to his purchase of ACD's assets (see 'ACD Distribution Sold'), and how he plans to deal with ACD's vendors and creditors.

Bob, tell us a little bit about what led up to your purchase of ACD in terms of your career between the time you were a pro tour Magic player and making this acquisition?

Well I started playing Magic and got involved in the industry in high school, playing different games, going to GenCon, just being a hobbyist.  In college I concentrated entirely on Magic, as professional Magic was my job all the way through college.  Since college, though I have kept up with Magic, I've done several things -- from insurance sales to running part of a hand-held computer company to distributing automotive parts, to running a mail-order business in the hobby industry.  I know I am probably leaving out three or four things -- I've jumped around quite a bit and I have had experience with a number of different business models, which makes me comfortable jumping into almost any situation.  Living in Madison and with ACD having the presence it did, I've come to know a lot of the people at ACD though my experience with Magic and I've become very accustomed to the day-to-day business here, including having being employed as a purchaser here for about six months three years ago.

Is this the first investment-type situation you've been involved with?

The hand-held computer software was an investment situation; the mail order business that I was involved in, that was a sole proprietorship; and the automobile parts distribution company that I have been running is an LLC, but I am the sole owner; so this is about my fourth business venture.

What was your motivation in getting involved with ACD?

As I have said I been involved in a number of different business ventures with varying degrees of success (I haven't had any of them fall apart on me) it was more a case of just something missing, a satisfaction level, and over the past few years I have started having kids and settled down more.  I am doing fine for myself, so I have decided to change gears somewhat and go into something I really enjoy doing.  I have been in and around and really loved this industry for the past eleven years -- it's one of the only constants in my life, the thing that I really have enjoyed doing, so that combined with the fact that ACD was experiencing some financial distress, and in order to do the best that Rich (Kummer) could and I could by this industry, that's how this deal began.

Could you elaborate on that -- why did Rich choose this path rather than some other exit strategy?

Rich came to me a couple of months ago, once he realized how serious the situation was, and we sat down and talked over a number of different strategies -- what would be best for him, what would be best for the industry.  Rich has been more selfless that what I would have expected out of most people in the same situation.  Talking with me he never explored any underhanded options where he would be leaving the industry holding the bag to get himself off the hook.  At first I tried to structure different deals he could possibly make with the bank to come out of the situation.  That became an impossibility so we had to start looking for new options, whether it would be bringing in some sort of asset lender or some sort of other financing.  But those options were no longer open to us so I just sort of came up with the idea to purchase the assets of the company and we can kind of do the best we can. 

We spent a fair amount lot of time going over 'what is the best we can do' and 'is it really worth it.'  Rich has walked away from the business carrying a number of liabilities with him that he will have to answer for.  He received no money from the transaction and he was willing to do it knowing that when I came into place I would do the best I can for the industry.  That doesn't necessarily mean that everyone gets everything they want but it's a lot better than nobody getting anything.

How active do you plan to be in the day-to-day running of ACD?

Very active.  I will be here on a daily basis and I will be controlling everything in my power.

Is there anything else that you want to convey to the retailers and suppliers of ACD?

To both of them I want to say that the situation ACD was in was not due to the day-to-day business; I believe there is a strong core there. 

To the retailers, I believe we have already fixed some of the inventory problems and they should be able to experience a better pick rate more or less -- we've already been able to fix some problems. 

To the vendors and manufacturers, they won't be experiencing the same difficulties doing business with ACD as they did in the past, and I will do what I can to assure the vendors of that and that ACD won't be going anywhere.  We plan on expanding, on doing a number of things that will help us do our job here better. It's unfortunate that everyone's been put in a situation that no one likes when a business doesn't go well.

So, how are you going to handle the creditors?

We're in the process of contacting the creditors right now to reconcile the accounts payable, but it is our intention to make good on all of the outstanding debts.

You said yesterday, you hadn't purchased the liabilities, what is the arrangement under which you are paying off the liabilities?

While I didn't purchase the liabilities and I am under no obligation to pay them, I entered this industry as a labor of love and I am not looking to do any damage to this industry.  The deal between Rich and I was very much with the understanding that as many people as possible could be made whole.