Employee Spotlight: Tammi Horak
If you’ve called or stopped in, chances are you have probably met Tammi Horak. Tammi not only greets customers in-person and on the phone, but she also has provided support to the accounting team as one of our front desk receptionists.
Tammi grew up in northeast Iowa outside of Colesburg on her family’s diversified livestock farm. As an active FFA member, she earned the Iowa FFA Degree and was the first female from her chapter to be bestowed the golden key of the American FFA Degree. She attended Kirkwood Community College for Agriculture Marketing Technologies. Before joining the Stutsman team, Tammi worked at Hubbard Feed then spent 14 years running her own in-home daycare.
Tell us about your family.
I am married to Jim Horak, and we have two sons. Zach is currently attending Mercy St. Luke’s School of Radiologic Technology. Louis is a freshman at Highland Community School.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I love to follow my sons with their activities. I am the volunteer secretary/treasurer for the Highland Shooting Sports Team. I love to deer hunt, enjoy spending time outdoors, mowing lawn, helping my husband with field work and being with my family.
How did you get involved in the agricultural industry?
I grew up on a large dairy, beef, and farrow-to-finish hog farm outside of Colesburg in northeast Iowa. I was always outside helping my Dad as a child and loved working beside him. I learned a lot from him: driving tractors, working livestock, hauling livestock to town, working in the fields, etc. I loved helping on the farm any way I could.
What do you enjoy the most in your role?
Working for a family-owned business. You are treated like family, and everyone is always friendly.
Who has influenced your career the most?
My husband has influenced me the most as he always supported me in the decisions I have made about my career.
If you could snap your fingers and become an expert at something, what would it be?
The markets. Commodities to be specific.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Kindness does not cost anything. Be kind to everyone as you never know what others may be going through. A simple smile and “hello” could change someone else’s day.
What is your favorite season to work in? Why?
Fall. I love to help with harvest on our farm. It is a great way to spend time with my family. Fresh apples, cool mornings, and the smell of the corn dryer.
What is something random that most people don’t know about you?
I was Miss Colesburg and the Iowa Simmental Beef Princess.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Getting the Governor of Iowa to sign a proclamation that May 9-15 was Food Allergy Awareness Week in Iowa, in conjunction with other states across the U.S.
Which Stutsman Core Value means the most to you and why?
Exceed Expectations: going above and beyond to perform your job, helping customers, or coworkers will help the company thrive, it will leave a positive impact on others.