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Local company welcomes new managers |
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Thursday, 10 January 2008 |
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Sargent Pipe Company in Broken Bow recently came under new management. Pictured above, from left, are Luke Wassom, assistant manager, Loren Taylor, and Chuck Drake, new manager.
By ELLEN MORTENSEN
Chief managing editor
After 20 years at the helm of Sargent Pipe Company in Broken Bow, Loren Taylor is stepping down. His replacement has big shoes to fill - but Taylor is confident he has found the right man for the job.
Chuck Drake is fairly new to Broken Bow. He began his job at Sargent Pipe in June 2007, and moved his family to Broken Bow in November. On Jan. 1, 2008, he officially took over as general manager of the company.
Drake is a native of the Hebron area, and has been in the well water industry for about 15 years. Even with all his experience, he says the manufacturing end of the business is still rather new to him.
He says that through his past experience he has come to realize the importance of getting the parts to the customers in a timely fashion. Learning more about manufacturing is something Drake says he is looking forward to with his new position.
Sargent Pipe Co. has a long-standing tradition in central Nebraska, and no one understands that better than Loren Taylor. Taylor has been part of the Sargent organization since 1955, when he went to work for Sargent Irrigation under the new ownership of Larry Whitesel and Pete Kaps.
According to Taylor, Sargent Pipe Company was formed in 1969, and was designed as an accompaniment to Sargent Irrigation by manufacturing the parts used by the irrigation side of the business. Taylor left Sargent Irrigation to take over as general manger of Sargent Pipe in 1987.
He now has the privelege of hand-picking his predecessor, and feels he has made the best choice in Drake. Drake says he is looking forward to the job, and to getting to know the people of Broken Bow.
Drake’s wife, Julie, is currently a teacher at Overton Public Schools. She is the daughter of Bob and Julie Miller and a native of Broken Bow. The couple has two sons, Derek, 8, and Drew, 6.
Luke Wassom is the new assistant manager for the business, and is also new to Broken Bow. He originally hails from the same area of the state as Drake, and has been with Sargent Pipe Co. since April 2007.
Both young men are excited about the opportunity they have been given at Sargent Pipe Co., and about bringing their experience to a new level.
“I can see already that this is a great company to work for,” says Drake. “It is a good, stable company and I am proud to be here.” |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 17 January 2008 )
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