On Thursday, April 26, Strack & Van Til hosted its annual Years of Service Luncheon, which honored staff members who have worked with the company for 15 to 50 years.
There were 134 associate honorees in all, with 111 of those honorees in attendance at the event. In total, 47 staff members were being honored for 15 years of service, 29 honorees with 20 years, 13 with 25 years, 17 with 30 years, 16 with 35 years, eight with 40 years, three with 45 years, and one with 50 years.
Each group of honorees was gathered together for a group photo. Honorees with over 40 years of experience were called to the front with their store directors, who each gave a brief speech about the honorees’ life both inside and outside of work.
“We have 134 people that are being recognized with over thousands of years of service, it’s a pretty incredible feat. This is part of our culture at Strack & Van Til. These people have been around and they've been through good times and not-so-good times, but they've always pulled through and helped make the company successful,” said CEO Jeff Strack.
The sheer number of honorees speaks volumes about the atmosphere created in every Strack & Van Til store. No matter how many years staff members had worked with the company, everyone in attendance was happy to be a part of such an encouraging community.
“I’m here for myself and my team that’s being recognized for their years of service. It's a great place to work. There’s a great atmosphere and great associates to work with,” said Store Director Brandon Dumas.
Dumas was honored for 15 years of service, and one of his employees, Roy Schoon, was honored for 45 years of service. Dumas was proud to speak about Schoon’s accomplishments since his start in 1976.
Strack feels the company’s success is largely due to the people who work to create such an inviting environment at every location. The family-oriented atmosphere has been an aspect of the company’s business model since its inception in 1929.
“We've always said our company has been successful because of the people who work here. Every year, we want to honor the people who have shown up to work day after day and have really helped make Strack & Van Til and Town and Country successful," said Strack. "It truly is a family business, and all of the people who work here and are being honored today are really a part of our family."
Produce Manager Mitch Harris was the last employee to be honored. With 51 years of service, he started his career at just 17 years old in 1971.
Like other staff members in attendance, Harris has stayed with the company because of the friendly atmosphere and a love for his work. For Harris, the job is enjoyable because of its evolving, growing nature.
“Things are always changing. It's never the same old, same old. The job changes like the weather," said Harris. "It’s just a great company to work for, and it’s a great job to have for my livelihood."
It’s rare to find a company with such loyal employees, and the team at Strack & Van Til doesn’t take that loyalty lightly. With such a family-oriented community, it’s no surprise that so many associates have dedicated their careers to the Indiana-made company.
To learn more about Strack & Van Til, visit strackandvantil.com.
