Joe Kaplan Born on April 20th

April 20th is Joe's birthday.  It reminded me that Joe would always say, “It’s 420. Hitler and I share birthdays.”  Joe had this self – deprecating sense of humor that I loved.  I’m not saying Joe liked Hitler.  But he did enjoy 420. A lot of my friends and colleagues reach out on Joe’s birthday.  Some want to make plans to tell old stories.  Others e-mail or text, “Here’s to Joe.”  I didn’t really think that people recognized birthdays after the person has left us?  In most cases it probably doesn’t happen, but it does for Joe.   Because Joe was no ordinary Joe. This week was the Transact tradeshow.  I saw a lot of posts, and it reminded me of Joe.   Joe served on ETA’s Board of Directors from 2000 to 2008; as President from 2006 to 2007; and rejoined the Board as an Advisor in 2014. When you walked the trade show floor with Joe it was like walking with Elvis.  He knew everyone and everyone knew Joe.  Not like t...