Pictured are (from left to right) Robert Vistad, Takeuchi regional business manager (RBM) West Region; Brendan Green, Feenaughty GM; Hampton Wideman, Takeuchi RBM SW Region; Randy Harris, Feenaughty president; and Mike Schebetka, Takeuchi RBM West Region. Photo: Takeuchi-USTakeuchi-US recently awarded Feenaughty Machinery Company as the 2020 Dealer of the Year for its successful sales efforts in 2019. Takeuchi’s regional business manager Hampton Wideman presented the accolade at this year’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show.
The company says Feenaughty Machinery ranked number one in total sales for Takeuchi products in 2019. The full-service construction dealer has locations in Portland and Eugene, Oregon.
“We are honored and thrilled to award Feenaughty Machinery Company as Dealer of the Year; they are much deserving of this recognition,” says Wideman. “They are a top-performing dealer who has really done a great job with the Takeuchi brand throughout its territory. They always treat the customer as their number one priority, which is why they are so successful.”
Pictured are (from left to right) Steve DePriest, Takeuchi RBM SE Region, and Bill Smith, sales representative for Cobb County Tractor. Photo: Takeuchi-US“It is an honor to be named Dealer of the Year by Takeuchi, as it really reflects the hard work of all of our employees at Feenaughty Machinery Company,” says Randy Harris, president at Feenaughty Machinery Company. “We have a very knowledgeable staff who always puts the customer at the forefront of everything we do. Takeuchi has been a wonderful product line for us over the years and we have many customers who have become brand loyal.”
Takeuchi also announced Bill Smith of Cobb Country Tractor as the Salesman of the Year for his successful sales efforts in 2019. This is the third time Smith has taken top honors for Takeuchi after ranking number one again in retail sales for North America.
Located in Marietta, Georgia, Cobb County Tractor is a full line dealer for Takeuchi. They serve the construction and landscaping industries, as well as offer parts and service. Takeuchi’s southeast region business manager Steve DePriest was on hand in Marietta to present Smith with the award.
“Hands down, Bill Smith knows the meaning of a true sales professional,” says DePriest. “We could not be more pleased with the way he represents our brand. He very much deserves to be recognized for his sales efforts, always going above and beyond the customers’ expectations as well as Cobb County Tractor’s expectations. Bill works extremely hard and logs long hours each and every day. Something else that sets Bill apart is how great he listens to customers, always understanding their needs. We are proud to once again present this award to him for his outstanding performance in 2019.”
Anuvia Plant Nutrients names new executive VP
Anuvia Plant Nutrients recently announced that Brett Bell is joining the company as executive vice president, account management and sales for its agricultural business.
In his new position, the company says Bell will be responsible for Anuvia’s national accounts and sales in agricultural markets. He will lead Anuvia’s efforts to build existing retail and distribution alliances while seeking to create new customer partnerships to further advance the sales of SymTRX, Anuvia’s bio-based, sustainable fertilizer.
“We welcome Brett to Anuvia,” says Amy Yoder, Anuvia CEO, noting that next month Anuvia’s new production facility in Plant City, Florida, comes online. “His arrival comes at an especially important time in our growth. As our production capacity will dramatically increase, Brett’s business acumen, his proven skills in relationship-building at all levels and his extensive knowledge of the industry will be invaluable.”
Brett BellThe company says Bell brings more than 20 years of experience working in sales, marketing, strategic business planning and operations for suppliers of agricultural products and agronomic services. Throughout his career, he has focused on developing and managing successful businesses and teams.
“I look forward to helping Anuvia build on their existing business relationships through collaborations with our partners,” says Bell. “We have a lot of room to grow as we bring innovative technology that sustainably improves the farmer’s bottom line.”
Most recently, the company says Bell was the Chief Operating Officer for Landus Cooperative, the largest farmer-owned cooperative in the state of Iowa based in Ames. While at Landus Cooperative, he was responsible for the overall operations of the grain and agronomy departments and served on the boards for three joint venture companies.
The company says Bell also worked as regional agronomy/sales/product line lead for Cargill AgHorizons, Wayzata, Minnesota.
Other career experience includes business development manager, Adayana, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana; account specialist, Ag Partners LLC, Albert City, Iowa; and field sales manager, Syngenta Seeds, Hopkins, Minnesota.
The company says Bell holds a bachelor’s of science degree, agricultural systems technology, from Iowa State University and a master’s of business administration degree from Purdue University.
Ruppert Landscape promotes Luis Carrillo
Ruppert Landscape announced the promotion of Luis Carrillo to the position of branch manager in the company’s Charlotte, North Carolina, landscape management branch.
Luis CarrilloThe company says Carrillo first joined the Ruppert team as a seasonal crew member while studying for his BA in exercise and sports science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Upon graduation, he spent time with the NFL as an athletic trainer for the Carolina Panthers before deciding that a career as a landscape professional would be a better fit for his growing family.
He rejoined Ruppert full-time in 2017 as a field manager in Charlotte, where he was quickly promoted to enhancement manager and continued to excel and help the team improve their enhancement sales and production. He also took on the responsibility of overseeing the account for the branch’s largest customer.
“Luis has proven himself to be a reliable and dedicated employee who has earned the trust of his team members and some of our biggest clients,” says Fred Key, region vice president in the company’s landscape management division. “We look forward to the Charlotte team’s continued success and growth in the years to come under his leadership.”
As branch manager, the company says Carrillo will be responsible for the overall welfare of the branch, including the safety and development of his team, strategic planning and budgeting, training and day-to-day operations.
