Great Plains Manufacturing has announced the hire of two new employees for its Ag Division. Michael Parde has been hired as Regional Sales Manager for the South/Southeast Region and Jason Evans has been hired as Sales Specialist.

Born and raised in Nebraska, Michael Parde graduated from the University of Nebraska with an Ag Mechanized System Management degree, and earned an MBA from Iowa State University. His primary responsibility is to lead the company's Territory Managers in strategic planning and business development with the current and potential Great Plains dealers in the South and Southeastern states. Parde will work from Great Plains' corporate office in Salina, Kansas.

Parde has an extensive and diverse background in Agricultural Sales and Service. He has worked in both service and sales for New Holland and most recently served as Research Equipment Specialist and Central Services Manager with Pioneer Hi-Bred in Johnston, Iowa.

Originally from Salina, Kansas, Jason Evans received a degree in Agronomy from Kansas State University. He has been self-employed for the past eight years, before accepting his position with Great Plains. Evans will be providing assistance to both sales and service in the field, as well as assisting with corporate trade shows. Evans will also be working out of the corporate office in Salina.

Founded in 1976 by Roy Applequist, Great Plains Manufacturing employs 1,500 people in eight Kansas communities and Sleaford, England. In addition to its Ag equipment division, which manufactures  seedbed preparation, nutrient placement, and seeding equipment, Great Plains Manufacturing's other divisions include Great Plains International, Great Plains Trucking, Great Plains Acceptance Corporation, and Land Pride, a maker of grounds maintenance tools such as mowers, tillers, and snow removal equipment. Great Plains continues today under the direction of Applequist and remains a family-owned business.