Kelly Behring started 25 years ago as a temporary employee in Fulfillment for two Christmas seasons before becoming full-time in the Bakery, and later transferring to the Janitorial department.  Kelly was then hired as the office assistant for Creative, and eventually worked her way up to her current position of Art Director for Country Door.  Kelly feels blessed to be earning a living doing what she loves.  She feels Colony Brands is a company that values family and each individual’s natural born skills, and that employees are rewarded for hard work, and valued for their work ethic.  Two mentors that Kelly would like to give a shout out to are Jim Wilson and Ann Bush. Both saw that Kelly had more to offer the company and helped guide, support and encourage her to become the employee she is today.

Russ Davis began his career as an intern in Monroe Fulfillment in 1994.  Russ was offered the opportunity to continue his employment as a management trainee while completing his engineering degree at UW-Platteville.  That training led him to work in Madison Fulfillment, Bakery Operations, Purchasing, IMS, Brand Marketing, Creative Marketing Services, and Merchandising, eventually leading to his current role of Sr. Vice President of Marketing.  He appreciates new challenges and all the opportunities Colony Brands has given him over the past 25 years.  Russ recognizes Charlie Baumann as a special mentor when they worked together in IMS.  He learned not only a lot about data and analytics, but also about leading with humility and respect for everyone within the organization.

Gene Hasse started in the traffic department 25 years ago.  Roz Cooke called Gene at his day job and asked him if he’d be willing to help with night trips.  He stopped at her office after work that day, she looked at his license and said “it looks good to me.  Here’s the paperwork for the Mauston trip tonight, take tractor #23 and trailer #671 and be in Mauston by 7 p.m.  We’ll do your paperwork with John Indra tomorrow.”   And the rest is history!  Actually, Gene’s history with our company began years earlier when his dad hauled product to Chicago for Ray Kubly.  Gene helped load the truck, all by hand, at the building on Smokey Row with Mr. Kubly loading right alongside his men.  When Gene was 15 and on a delivery with his dad in Chicago, his dad was sick with kidney stones laying in the bunk.  Gene finished the multiple stop delivery and got them both home safely!

Joe Wahl began his career in the Bakery Sanitation department 35 years ago.  In 1999, he transitioned to Outside Maintenance where he plans to finish out his Colony Brands career.  Joe thinks this is a good company to work for and enjoys his co-workers.  Joe remembers when he started, Jake, a Swiss Baker, pestered him constantly about signing up for the company’s retirement plan.  Joe said he was only going to be here a year and didn’t want to bother with it. Well, he finally relented and signed up. So, 35 years later, and about four years from retirement, Joe can look at his retirement fund and be very thankful for that nagging from Jake.

Starlet Fatchett started as a temporary employee in the Clinton Fulfillment Center 25 years ago. In addition to Clinton, she worked in Camanche and DeWitt, and is currently a QA supervisor in our Peosta facility.  A funny memory for Starlet is when teaching her teenage daughters it’s not that difficult to walk to school, she decided to walk to work every day, no matter the weather. Near the end of the year, Starlet took a fall and hurt her elbow pretty badly.  Even though everyone was telling her she should go home, she toughed it out at work.  After all, she had perfect attendance and didn’t want to mess that up for the year.

Dean Hansen began his adventure with Colony Brands 25 years ago as a Receiving Supervisor in Camanche, Iowa.  After a neighboring fire destroyed that facility, Dean has since worked in Monroe, DeWitt and all three Clinton facilities.  In 2010, he was promoted to his current role as an Assistant Returns Manager. Dean has met many great personalities over the years and likes that there are never two years alike.  He feels truly blessed to have been given the opportunity to work for such a generous, innovative company!