People are the difference.
Congratulations to these dedicated team members as we recognize and award their milestone years of service. To each and every one of you, thank you for your outstanding commitment in fulfilling Huron Tractor's legacy of great customer service with your decades of experience. It all starts with the great people on our team.
Julie Atkinson
Assistant Controller | Chatham | 30 YEARS
In 1993, Julie joined the John Deere dealership, Kentown Limited, immediately after university. She did not initially start in an accounting role but transitioned into it during her first year and went on to obtain her professional designation as a Certified General Accountant.
She loved working alongside her parents in their dealership. It had almost been like a second home to her since she was born.
In 2004, McGrail Farm Equipment purchased a majority share of Kentown and Julie had the opportunity to invest in the business. Julie remained a shareholder and the Controller of McGrail’s for the next 17 years. In 2021, when McGrail’s became Huron Tractor, Julie assumed the role of Huron Tractor’s Assistant Controller and quickly became the go-to person for people across the Huron Tractor organization.
Julie’s work in all departments has broadened her knowledge of all the dealership facets. She is always willing to lend a hand, and a strong advocate for the company. You might say “she bleeds green.”
Outside of work, Julie spends time with her husband, friends and family, enjoying gardening, hiking, biking, and actively following the Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers, and NASCAR Racing.
Congrats & thank you Julie, for a lifelong dedication to the dealership.
Mark Baker
Parts Representative | Exeter | 30 YEARS
With his family’s farming background, Mark’s passion for farm equipment solidified at the age of 12, when he began cutting grass and doing odd jobs at a local dealership. He loved taking things apart and fixing them, and knew he wanted to be a farm equipment mechanic.
This led to high school co-op placements at Huron Tractor, followed by an apprenticeship, and a 27-year career as a Service Technician. In 2020, Mark’s valuable expertise, vast experience, and dedication to customers, were a welcome asset as he made the move to our Exeter Parts department.
His equipment knowledge is irreplaceable, and he is always willing to help new team members. Mark consistently stays till the jobs are done and never leaves an issue unresolved.
Mark’s commitment and reliability are also evident with his long-standing involvement in local organizations over the years, such as the Pineridge Snowmobile Club Board (24 years), Exeter Rodeo Committee (8 years), the Crediton Cemetery Board (10+ years), as well as to his wife and 3 children.
Congratulations & thank you Mark, for 30 years at Huron Tractor!
Dave Howald
Service Technician | Hyde Park | 30 YEARS
Growing up on a dairy farm near Ilderton, Dave is a Licensed Agriculture, Small Engine, and Marine Mechanic.
He joined Huron Tractor Thamesford in 1993 as an Ag & Turf technician, moving to Road Technician in 1996, and into the role of Service Manager from 2005 to 2018. He continued as Thamesford Shop Foreman until 2022, at which time he made the move to our Hyde Park shop, which allowed him to put his wealth of knowledge, leadership and experience to work closer to home.
Dave’s got a big personality and even bigger heart. He fills the shop with a positive, fun-loving atmosphere, is a natural mentor to those around him, has an enormous skill set, and a genuine care for people.
Dave would help anyone at the drop of a hat, always going above and beyond. He is very active serving the community with the Ilderton Lions Club for almost 25 years, and is currently Chair of Lions Food Services. He also enjoys hunting, fishing, riding his motorcycle, helping on a friend’s farm, and spending time with his wife and 2 children.
Thank you Dave for your time, energy, expertise and commitment. Congratulations on 30 years!
Paul Eltervoog
Parts Representative | Chatham | 20 YEARS
Paul is a father of 3 and a golf enthusiast that loves entertaining.
In 1982, he began working as a Parts Representative at an International dealership. He made the move to Chatham Ford in 1989, where he was Parts Manager until they closed. Paul then worked at Chatham New Holland as Parts Manager and was there for 12 years before they closed.
It was at that time, on October 6, 2003, that Paul began his career at the John Deere dealership, Kentown in Tilbury. When McGrail Farm Equipment acquired a majority interest in Kentown, Paul transitioned to the Parts Department with McGrail’s in Comber and then to Chatham in 2020, and through Huron Tractor’s acquisition in 2021.
Today you will find Paul at the Huron Tractor Chatham front counter where his colourful background, expertise, knowledge and sense of humour is welcomed by customers old and new.
His dedication to agriculture, along with his helpful personality, has made his past 20 years with John Deere and our team go by very quickly.
Congratulations on your 20-year milestone, Paul. We are very grateful for you!
Lori Reutz
Service Writer | Walkerton | 20 YEARS
Lori joined us in 2003 on a contract position with Bruce Tractor, which was the Walkerton John Deere dealership at that time.
This ended up becoming a full-time Service Writer position, where she continues to thrive, 20 years later!
Lori has mastered the art of submitting work orders, from the old paper time-cards that were used at the beginning of her career in 2003, through to the evolution of our current computer business systems today.
Lori enjoys interacting with our customers on a daily basis, and is an important part of the service department. In her role, she works closely with our technicians, as well as completing many tasks to ensure a positive experience for our customers.
Lori and her husband reside in Mildmay, with their three children. She enjoys spending holiday-time camping and travelling the globe.
Lori is a great asset to our team, and we appreciate all her experience, hard work and dedication to Huron Tractor and to our customers.
Thank you and congratulations, Lori, for your 20 years of service!
Barb Beitz
Parts Representative
Walkerton | 10 YEARS
Mike Brown
IT Manager
Exeter | 10 YEARS
Leon Cormier
Corp. Aftermarket Mgr.
Exeter | 10 YEARS
Justin Englehart
Corp. Parts Manager
Exeter | 10 YEARS
Gillian Findlay
Turf Sales
Stayner | 10 YEARS
Jordan Lesy
Turf Sales
Chatham | 10 YEARS
Eric Millard
Parts Representative
Chatham | 10 YEARS
Eric Parent
Service Technician
Comber | 10 YEARS
Rick Rier
Turf Sales
Walkerton | 10 YEARS
Craig Scarrow
Service Technician
Chatsworth | 10 YEARS
Matt Steeper
Precision Ag Specialist
Exeter | 10 YEARS
