2024 Top Technicians
April 9, 2025

Celebrating Excellence:
Gooseneck Implement’s 2024 Top Technician Award Winners

At Gooseneck Implement, exceptional service, dedication, and expertise are the heart of who we are. That’s why we’re proud to recognize our 2024 Top Technician Award winners—individuals who embody our core values of Genuine Passion and Genuine Gratitude, and who set the standard for what it means to go above and beyond.

The Top Technician Program celebrates those who not only excel in their technical roles but also act as leaders and mentors, always putting our customers and teammates first. These technicians show up every day ready to make a difference—and we’re honored to shine a spotlight on their incredible work.


2024 Top Tech Award Winners:

Troy Stevens – Central Air Drill

“I don’t know if anyone exemplifies the traits of genuine passion and gratitude for Gooseneck Implement more than Troy. He is very passionate about everything Gooseneck stands for, including customer satisfaction, doing what’s right, and being successful. I really appreciate everything about Troy and what he has become.”
— Tom Hanson, Manager of Central Services

“Troy is a very hard worker. He drives about 50 miles a day and is one of the first guys here. He cares deeply about the customer and his coworkers and will do anything to ensure the customer is taken care of.”
— Matt Borud, Kenmare General Manager

“Troy has been a huge help for me on the air drill team. He never says no to a job, long hours, or travel. Just next week, he’ll spend a week in Nebraska doing work for one of our top customers. He’s helped set up equipment at multiple stores this winter and is always eager to help.”
— Steve Pederson, Central Setup Coordinator


Ralph Lehner – Bowman

“Congratulations, Ralph! Thank you for everything you’ve done over the years and for all the knowledge you’ve shared—not just with me, but with countless others in the shop.”
— Brett Ballard, Bowman Service Manager

“Ralph has built an incredible following of loyal customers across three states—and likely more—thanks to his unparalleled expertise in combines. He’s always just a call away, whether it’s 10 p.m. during harvest or 6 a.m. in the off-season. His dedication, knowledge, and go-the-extra-mile mentality make him an irreplaceable asset.”
— Chad Evans, Bowman Assistant General Manager


Hank Brooks – Bowman

“Hank, thank you for being the technician every Service Manager dreams of. Your work ethic and reliability are unmatched.”
— Brett Ballard, Bowman Service Manager

“I call Hank ‘The Mad Scientist’ for a reason. He’s my go-to for all things weird and complex—whether it’s a freak electrical issue or an old transmission problem, he figures it out. His creativity and determination make him an incredibly valuable part of our team.”
— Chad Evans, Bowman Assistant General Manager


Robert Friesz – Elgin

“Elgin wouldn’t be where it is today without Robert’s passion, problem-solving, and mentorship. He’s a true leader.”
— Steve Winkler, Elgin General Manager

“Robert goes above and beyond. One night, a customer’s tractor died in the middle of the road around 10 or 11 p.m. Robert gave them some quick tips and then drove out himself to get it running and off the road.”
— Shawn Messmer, Elgin Service Manager


Matt Hoff – Dickinson

“Matt is phenomenal. His diagnostic skills are top-notch, and his ability to build strong customer relationships sets him apart. It’s been a pleasure working with him all these years.”
— Paul Mattern, VP of Sales

 

Kyle Comerford – Minot

“Kyle is a tech that never gives up. He was named John Deere Tech of the Year two years ago—and it shows in everything he does.”
— KB Faul, Minot General Manager


Dylan Danielson – Minot

“Dylan never tires. He gets the job done, no matter how long it takes. There’s no job too big for him.”
— KB Faul, Minot General Manager


Cole Erickson – Minot

“Cole just graduated from the virtual ag tech program last year, and his progress has been incredible.”
— KB Faul, Minot General Manager


Derek Burroughs – Minot

“Derek came in off the street asking for a job—and I’m so glad we hired him. He never backs down from a challenge and that’s a huge part of why he’s thriving.”
— KB Faul, Minot General Manager


Fred Berndt – Rugby

“Fred has been with Rugby John Deere for nearly 30 years. He’s a true expert in his field and deeply committed to our customers.”
— Heather Drader, Rugby Assistant General Manager

“Fred is seasoned and takes pride in what he does. That pride is what sets him apart and keeps him among the best.”
— Andrew Arnston, Rugby General Manager

 

Tim Kunz – Resident Field Tech

“Tim picked up John Deere equipment incredibly fast. He’s efficient, effective, and always focused on doing what’s right for both Gooseneck and our customers. I’m honored to work with him.”
— Tom Hanson, Manager of Central Services

 

Dustin Volk – Rugby

“Dustin always wanted to be a John Deere mechanic, and he’s already made a name for himself. He even took on a resident tech role for a time but returned to the Rugby store where he thrives.”
— Heather Drader, Rugby Assistant General Manager

“Dustin is a versatile tech who prefers fieldwork to the shop. He communicates well with customers and coworkers and mentors interns with ease.”
— Chuck Longie, Rugby Service Manager


Andrew Haman – Central Setup

“Andrew is one of the most detail-oriented and conscientious people I know. He’s efficient, goes above and beyond, and plays a vital role on our central setup team.”
— Tom Hanson, Manager of Central Services

“Andy is a huge asset. He works long hours when needed, never complains—even in extreme cold—and always gets the job done.”
— Steve Pederson, Central Setup Coordinator


Chris Parkinson – Stanley

“Chris is rock solid. No matter what gets thrown at him, he makes it happen and always ensures our customers are taken care of. From fixing equipment in the heat of the season to arriving before dawn during harvest, Chris is the definition of ‘The Power Behind the Paint.’”
— Nick Miller, Stanley General Manager

“Chris has an incredible attitude and unmatched passion—for Gooseneck and our customers. His quality of work and efficiency make him a standout teammate.”
— Jamie Germundson, Stanley Service Manager


Shane Fosness – Rugby

“Shane’s been with Rugby John Deere for nearly 30 years, building deep relationships with customers and becoming an expert in his field.”
— Heather Drader, Rugby Assistant General Manager

“Shane has pride in what he does—and that pride is what elevates him to this level of recognition.”
— Andrew Arnston, Rugby General Manager


Thank You, Techs!

To every technician recognized—and every technician across Gooseneck Implement—thank you. Your hard work, knowledge, and commitment don’t go unnoticed. You are the power behind our promise to deliver exceptional service to every customer, every time.

September 23, 2026
MY27 Combines: What’s New for John Deere’s X9 and S7
By McKensie Popinga • September 14, 2026
There’s nothing quite like seeing new equipment up close. On August 26 and 27, we welcomed customers to Minot for our 2027–2028 John Deere Showcase, and if you ask us, there was a lot to look at. From a combine built to keep harvest moving, to sprayer technology that can actually see what’s happening in the field, to automation designed to make baling a little easier, the showcase gave our customers a firsthand look at what’s coming next. And yes, there were some pretty impressive machines on the floor. WATCH OUR EVENT OVERVIEW VIDEO HERE Our John Deere and Gooseneck Implement product experts were there to walk through the new equipment, answer questions and talk about what these advancements could mean for the people putting them to work. Here are a few of the highlights: 2027 John Deere X9 1100 Combine The John Deere X9 1100 is built for high-capacity harvesting when conditions are demanding and there’s no time to slow down. With serious capacity, power and technology, the X9 1100 is designed to help operators keep productivity high while staying focused on grain quality, residue and overall machine performance. And seeing an X9 in person? It’s hard to miss. John Deere currently identifies the X9 1000 and X9 1100 as its Performance Group 10 and 11 combines, with 420- and 460-bushel grain tank capacities. WATCH THE X9 1100 VIDEO HERE 2028 John Deere C1450T Air Cart When you’re trying to make the most of a good seeding window, stopping to refill isn’t where you want to spend your time. With 1,460 bushels of total capacity across five tanks, the C1450T is the largest-capacity air cart in John Deere’s C-Series lineup, giving producers more product on board and more time spent covering acres. The 105-bushel front flex tank also adds flexibility, handling either seed or fertilizer. Because when the weather is right and the field is ready, more capacity means more time getting the job done. WATCH THE C1450T VIDEO HERE John Deere Autonomous 9RX 640 The John Deere Autonomous 9RX 640 gave showcase attendees a firsthand look at where fieldwork is headed. The 9RX uses cameras, artificial intelligence and machine learning to navigate the field and perform tillage work on its own. John Deere's second generation autonomous technology uses 16 cameras to provide a 360-degree view around the machine, helping it identify and respond to obstacles as it works. The goal isn't complicated: put technology to work on the jobs that need to get done, while giving operators the freedom to focus their time and attention elsewhere. And honestly, watching a 9RX 640 work the field with no one in the cab is something you have to see for your self. WATCH THE AUTONOMOUS 9RX 640 VIDEO HERE 2027 John Deere 616R Sprayer + See & Spray™ Gen 2 This might be one of the easiest technologies to see the value in, literally. The 2027 John Deere 616R equipped with See & Spray™ Gen 2 uses camera vision and machine learning to identify crops and weeds in real time, helping target applications where they’re needed. Beginning in 2027, the technology also brings expanded crop compatibility, variable-rate capabilities and See & Scout™ field insights. That means the sprayer isn’t just covering acres, it’s gathering insight along the way. WATCH THE 616R + SEE & SPRAY GEN 2 VIDEO HERE Auto Weave Baler We’re all for technology that makes the job easier. The John Deere Auto Weave Baler uses automation to adjust the baler’s path across the windrow, helping create consistent, square-shouldered bales without the operator having to constantly make those adjustments. Combined with guidance, turn, speed and gate automation, it’s designed to take some of the repetitive work out of the cab and give operators one less thing to manage. Because sometimes the best technology is the technology that lets you focus on everything else. WATCH THE AUTO WEAVE BALER VIDEO HERE So, What’s Next? If there was one takeaway from the 2027–2028 John Deere Showcase, it’s that equipment is becoming a whole lot more than just equipment. We’re seeing more capacity. More automation. More technology. More connectivity. And ultimately, more opportunities to help producers get more from the acres, hours and resources they already have. But the best part of the showcase wasn’t just the equipment. It was getting to spend time with our customers. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us in Minot. We’re grateful for the opportunity to answer your questions, talk through what’s new and, of course, talk a little equipment. Couldn’t make it? No worries! We’ve got you covered. Check out the videos above for a closer look at the equipment featured at the showcase, and connect with your Gooseneck Implement team if you want to dig a little deeper. There’s a lot ahead, and we’re excited to see what’s next with you.
By Marketing Team • September 11, 2026
Harvest may be complete, but the value in your data is just getting started. Learn how to clean, organize, and analyze your harvest data so you can make more informed decisions for next season.
Precision Ag Combine Optimization During Harvest
By Marketing Team • August 13, 2026
Learn how Combine & FEE Startup and Optimization Packages help improve machine performance, reduce grain loss, ensure accurate yield data, and maximize harvest efficiency from the first acre to the last.
By McKensie Popinga • July 14, 2026
Harvest is busy enough without spending extra time creating work plans or correcting field information in the cab. That's why John Deere is introducing a new feature designed to make harvest setup easier and improve the quality of your documentation. Beginning August 3, John Deere Operations Center will automatically create harvest work plans for compatible machines using the seeding data already stored in your organization. How It Works Operations Center will use your spring seeding records to automatically generate harvest work plans and send them directly to compatible machines. If your seeding data is complete and accurate, those work plans will already include information like: · Client · Farm · Field · Crop type · Variety · Additional field information from your seeding records Instead of building harvest work plans manually, your operators can get to work with fewer button pushes in the cab and spend less time managing documentation throughout the season. Why This Matters Accurate spring data leads to accurate harvest records. When your seeding information is clean and organized, this new feature helps ensure your harvest documentation is just as accurate. That means: · Less setup time before harvest · Fewer manual entries in the cab · More accurate harvest documentation · Better records for reporting and future decision-making · Potentially less office work creating harvest work plans manually Is Your Operations Center Ready? This new feature is especially beneficial for operations that have maintained clean seeding data throughout the spring. If you're not completely confident in your Client, Farm, Field, varieties, or seeding records, now is a great time to get everything cleaned up before harvest begins. Post Seeding Maintenance Package Our Precision Ag team is offering a one-time Post Seeding Maintenance Package for $500 to help prepare your Operations Center for harvest. The package includes: · Operations Center Data Cleanup · Client, Farm, and Field organization cleanup · Review and correction of post-seeding data, including: o Varieties o Acres o Task dates o Other planting information · Boundary Creation (Upon Request) o Create or update field boundaries for improved documentation and mapping · FSA & Crop Insurance Reporting Binder (Upon Request) o Receive a complete binder containing: - Seeding dates - Varieties - Acres - Additional seeding information - True field boundaries that remove overlap and identify prevented seeding acres - Seeding coverage maps with field information Whether you're preparing for harvest or organizing records for reporting, this package helps ensure your data is accurate and ready when you need it. Want to Disable Automatic Work Plans? Organizations will have Automatic Harvest Work Plans enabled by default. If you prefer to continue creating harvest work plans manually, the feature can be turned off in your Organization Preferences before August 3.  While we expect most customers will benefit from having this feature enabled, it's helpful to know you have the option to manage this setting based on your operation's preferences. Need Help? If you'd like assistance reviewing your Operations Center data or would like to schedule a Post Seeding Maintenance appointment, contact your Gooseneck Implement Account Manager today. We'll help make sure your data is organized, accurate, and ready for harvest.
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