RDO Equipment Co. announces a number of promotions and a realignment of responsibility on the leadership team.
The following promotions in agriculture regions are announced: Keith Kreps and Ryan Offutt have been named executive vice presidents; Steve Connelly has been promoted to vice president of Midwest Agriculture; and Davin Peterson has been promoted to vice president of Western Agriculture.
Commenting on the promotions, Christi Offutt, CEO, said, “I want to thank all of our employees for their hard work and dedication these past couple of years. We have not only grown our business, we have built a stronger company for all of our stakeholders. These promotions reflect the exceptional contributions these individuals have made and will make in the years to come.”
As executive vice president, Keith Kreps will be responsible for all agricultural regions and support the Australian partnership by serving on the Vanderfield board of directors (Vanderfield is a recent partnership between RDO Equipment Co. and the Australian John Deere dealer network). Kreps joined RDO Equipment Co. in 1998 as the Midwest Agricultural Division Marketing Manager. Soon after, he transitioned into the general manager position in the Breckenridge, Minn. location. In 2003, he was promoted to vice president of Midwest and Northwest agriculture regions. In 2010, he assumed leadership of the Southwest Agriculture region with his most recent role of vice president of agriculture. Prior to joining RDO Equipment Co., Kreps spent 10 years in the automotive industry in management roles and five years owning his own business. He currently serves as an officer on the North Dakota Implement Dealers Board of Directors.
As executive vice president with responsibility for the company’s international partnerships, Ryan Offutt will be responsible for the company’s Russian and Ukraine operations and will chair the Vanderfield board of directors. He joined the organization in 2003 as director of human resources and communications, eventually assumed additional responsibilities related to the company’s expansion in Russia, and in 2006 was named vice president international business. Prior to RDO Equipment Co., Offutt worked at the Woodrow Wilson center for International Scholars. Offutt received his degree from Reed College.
As vice president of Midwest agriculture, Steve Connelly will be responsible for agriculture stores in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. He has worked for RDO Equipment Co. for nearly 10 years, most recently serving as general manager for seven stores in the Red River Valley. Prior to RDO Equipment Co. he was an instructor at Moorhead High School as well as the head football coach. Connelly received his undergraduate degree from Concordia College and a master’s degree from South Dakota State University. He currently serves on the Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) Foundation Board of Directors.
As vice president of Western agriculture, Davin Peterson will oversee agriculture stores in Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington. Peterson has nearly 20 years with RDO Equipment Co. and has served in many capacities, including parts manager, store manager, regional sales manager, and most recently, general manager of Northwest, overseeing operations in Washington and Oregon agriculture locations.
