ITEX Pioneer Passes

Ted Pawlik, 62, passed away a week ago. And while many in today�s barter industry might not know about Pawlik, he played an important role in getting ITEX�now the largest barter company in the U.S.�off the ground.

ITEX was incorporated in 1982 under founder Terry Neal in Phoenix, Arizona. Ted Pawlik, like Neal, had been in the office equipment field prior to joining up with Neal to become vice president of sales for the newly formed ITEX.

Neal had lost everything, when he decided to manufacturer copy machines in Japan during the Carter Administration, which saw soaring interest rates and international currency fluctuations whipsawing his investments.

Starting over, Neal, the married father of eight, was living in a motel in Phoenix when he started studying the retail trade exchange industry and the concept of the trade dollar.

Pawlik At His Side From The Beginning

Providing the transportation for the new company was Pawlik�s motorcycle, and it was his Visa card that funded the startup. Additionally, Pawlik was the lead man when ITEX started converting both failed Exchange Enterprises offices and Barter System International offices into ITEX in 1983 and �84.

In 1993 Pawlik left ITEX, returning to the office equipment field in Phoenix. The proud father of two, he was a big supporter of AA and was sober his last 18 years. Although he had a bout with cancer, he never lost his zest for living and went skydiving on his birthday this past August.