Equipment Support & Sales
TJ Conrad, Farm Equipment Product Support and Sales, Whayne
TJ Conrad did not grow up on a farm, but his home in McLean County was surrounded by agriculture. Providing labor on local farms was always a good way to make some pocket money, and he developed a fascination with farm equipment.
While he had plans of attending college, TJ’s life plans changed course. He immediately started working after high school graduation as a mechanic for H & R Agri-Power, a local farm equipment service and parts dealer. Some of his mechanic knowledge was provided by his father, and he learned more through job experience.
He was eventually recruited by Whayne’s agriculture division, where he worked as a field mechanic for about 10 years. His job was to go to farm locations and fix equipment such as tractors and combines. He said he enjoyed the personal relationships he made with farmers across the region.
TJ was recently promoted to his current position with Whayne as a product support and sales representative, where he promotes and sells parts and service packages. He works to tailor service plans to fit the needs of individual farmers, who may have varying types and brands of farm equipment.
“My favorite part of the job is interacting with the customers,” said TJ. “Farmers are easy to talk to. But I do enjoy this job, providing preventative service plans, more than fixing things. The farmers are typically in a better mood if something’s not broken.”
TJ said he does wish he had gone to a vo-tech school since it was more challenging to learn on his own, but he said it was ultimately his “soft skills” that helped him be successful at his job.
“You have to do the best at what you do,” he said. “Show up for work on time. Be courteous. Don’t slack off, and always strive to go higher. That is what will move you up the ladder.”
Interested in a career in agricultural equipment mechanics? An Associate in Diesel Technology with the Agriculture Diesel Technician Track option (62-64 credit hours) is offered at Hopkinsville, Owensboro, and Southeast Community and Technical College locations. Diploma (50-55 credit hours) and certificate (20 credit hours) programs in agriculture equipment technology are offered at KCTCS locations in Ashland, Big Sandy, Hopkinsville, Maysville, Owensboro, Southeast, Somerset, and West Kentucky (Paducah).
