This dealer was fortunate to have many conversations with Mr. Bob.  We were paired several times in golf rounds, as every incentive trip and dealer panel usually involved a golf tournament. One of the early pairings resulted in a lot of dealers and company people giving me issues and talking points as being known as a vocal member of the dealers, it was assumed I would carry the mail. We never used this format for any politicizing, however on the back nine, we were backed up and Mr. Ratliff turned and said, “ok, let me have the laundry list”. I smiled and ask as to how he knew about the solicitations and he replied that he didn't get to his position without 'knowing stuff'. The man was a true leader. He also relayed at a dinner once that he had made and seen a lot of mistakes in his career and that he was forming the Agco corporation to be as free from those pitfalls as possible.  He succeeded in carrying out those goals. He created a lean, mean selling machine as described by co-founder Ed Swingle.  The founders also put their money where their company was - each put up personal collateral to secure the initial purchase - again,  unprecedented in these modern times. These guys were not just hired guns, they were the heart and soul of AGCO.