Rick Kreutner Retires After 25 Years
Rick Kreutner has been a valuable asset to the Stutsman team since he joined our organization in 1992. After a long, successful career with our Feed Ingredients Department, Rick is hanging up his hat. For customers and co-workers alike, working with Rick was a great experience. “It has been my privilege to have worked with Rick these past 25 years. What I have admired about Rick in his career is his dedication to his customers. Whether it’s making special deliveries in his car, helping out at open houses or bringing new products or ideas to help grow their business, Rick always kept his customer’s best interests in mind. This dedication has enabled Rick to cultivate friendships with his customers and I know this will be one of the things he misses most in his retirement. I (we) will miss working with you but we will always remain friends,” said Terry Hurshman, Vice-President Feed Ingredients. Terry Yoder, Sales Manager, also commented, “I’ve known Rick for over 20 years. In fact, he was my territory manager prior to me coming to work at Eldon C. Stutsman, Inc. I have always admired Rick’s positive attitude and will miss his sense of humor. Good luck my friend.”
To reflect on Rick’s career we asked him a few questions:
What is your background?
After my early years on the farm, my family bought Maples Resort and we moved to Lake Delhi when I was 11. That is probably where I started in sales; I helped customers at our gas pump by the dock as well as in the store at the resort. After graduating from Maquoketa Valley, I moved to Cedar Rapids where I worked at Quaker Oats. After that, I transitioned to a sales position at Shellsburg Grain and Lumber. This is where I was introduced to Stutsmans and the products they offered. After a couple other local sales positions, Terry Hurshman told me about an open position. I will forever be thankful for this opportunity and I can say it was one of the best choices I ever made.
What has been the biggest change in the ag industry during your tenure here?
These are what I consider to be the biggest changes:
- Merging of co-ops
- The movement of smaller swine and dairy farms to much larger operations.
- The amount of small family farm stores dwindling.
- Government regulations.
What is your favorite Stutsman memory?
I would say the holiday parties with my family. Especially when my children were small. They still talk about the parties! I remember one year was so cold my car wouldn’t start and Ron Stutsman had to jump it so I could get back home.
What are your retirement plans?
I plan on spending time with family, doing yard work around the house, volunteering and hopefully, some traveling too!
What will you miss the most?
The people; from the customers I have relationships with to my fellow co-workers.
What has been the most rewarding thing about your career?
I would have to say helping fulfill my customers’ needs, and knowing how much they appreciated it. I also found marketing new products and getting results to be rewarding.
Although we will miss having Rick around, we wish him the best in retirement! To send well-wishes to Rick address cards to the company (PO Box 250 Hills, IA 52235) attention Rick Kreutner retirement.