Agriculture
10 agricultural equipment dealer operations experts
These ten professionals have held general manager, store operations and senior executive roles in the farm equipment dealership business. A reader can learn how dealership leaders run parts, service and sales operations at farm equipment dealers.
Professionals to explore
01—10Ben Poletti
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President Store Operations · Sydenstricker Nobbe Partners John Deere
Senior Vice President Store Operations at Sydenstricker Nobbe Partners John Deere since 2024, and former Division General Manager there (2020–2024). Former Store Manager at Wm. Nobbe & Co. - John Deere Dealership (2016–2020) and former Territory Manager at John Deere (1998–2005).
Billy Lawson
LinkedInExperience: President Dealer Principal · Range, formerly Lemann's Farm Supply
The profile lists President Dealer Principal at Range, formerly Lemann's Farm Supply for 2017–2023 and again since 2023, and says the role oversaw growth to one of the highest performing ag equipment dealers in the U.S. and a rebrand to RANGE after a reorganization. Former National Accounts Manager Case IH Brand at CNH (2010–2015).
Brad Maas
LinkedInExperience: General Manager NW Region · Papé Machinery Agriculture & Turf
Former General Manager NW Region (2020–2023) and Sales Manager (2016–2020) at Papé Machinery Agriculture & Turf. The profile says the general manager role oversaw operations of four John Deere dealerships in NW Washington, and describes responsibility for sales strategy, metrics and budgets for a 12 store John Deere dealership.
Brian Verkuehlen
LinkedInExperience: General Manager Breckenridge Fergus Falls · RDO Equipment Co.
General Manager Breckenridge Fergus Falls at RDO Equipment Co. since 2021, with Division Sales Manager (since 2012) and Sales (since 2006) roles at RDO Equipment Co. also listed as current. The profile tags the general manager role in General Management, and its company description refers to RDO Equipment Co. as John Deere and Vermeer Equipment Dealer.
Derek Thompson
LinkedInExperience: General Manager · KeyAg Kubota
General Manager at KeyAg Kubota since 2026, a role the profile describes as overseeing day-to-day operations of the organization, parts, service and sales; it describes KeyAg Kubota as a seller of new and used tractors and mowers. Former Sales Director at KeyAg Kubota (2026) and Branch Sales Manager at Rocky Mountain Equipment (2024–2026).
Donald Boyd
LinkedInExperience: General Manager · Papé Machinery Agriculture & Turf
Former General Manager (2021–2024) and Corporate Rental Manager (2014–2021) at Papé Machinery Agriculture & Turf. The profile describes more than 35 years in the farm equipment industry, overseeing multi-location operations and P&L management and managing five locations across multiple territories.
Gary Dible
LinkedInExperience: Regional Vice President · 21st Century Equipment LLC
Former Regional Vice President at 21st Century Equipment LLC (2003–2016). General Manager, Nebraska Harvest Center at Nebraska Harvest Center a subsidiary of CLAAS North American Holdings since 2024. The profile describes more than 30 years in ag equipment dealership operations, including overseeing 10 locations with about 185 employees in parts, service and complete goods sales, and 20 years of John Deere dealership operations.
Jim Haynes
LinkedInExperience: General Manager · PrairieLand Partners, LLC
General Manager at PrairieLand Partners, LLC since 2025; the profile describes PrairieLand Partners as a John Deere dealership offering farm and ag equipment, parts and service across 15 locations. Former General Manager (2025) and CEO Martin Tractor (2020–2025) at Heritage Tractor, and former COO at Martin Sullivan Inc. (2014–2020).
Keith Kreps
LinkedInExperience: President & Chief Operating Officer · 21st Century Equipment LLC
Former President & Chief Operating Officer (2025–2026) and Chief Operating Officer (2020–2025) at 21st Century Equipment LLC. The profile describes retaining full chief operating officer responsibilities for a 26-location John Deere dealership group, with enterprise operating accountability and the executive vice presidents, chief financial officer and functional vice presidents reporting directly.
Mitch Merz
LinkedInExperience: General Manager · Merz Farm Equipment, Inc.
Former General Manager at Merz Farm Equipment, Inc. (2010–2023). The profile describes it as a family business, says the person's grandfather bought the local Ferguson tractor dealership in 1953, and says the business grew during the person's time there, including the addition of several industry leading product lines. Brand Image & Customer Experience Manager at True Ag & Turf since 2023.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's scope to your question, since running a single store, a region of several locations and a whole dealer group call for different management systems. Also consider the equipment brand and customer mix, and pick someone whose dealerships sold lines and served farm types close to yours.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you set up parts and service departments so they carry a dealership through slow equipment sales years?
- 02Which store-level metrics do you review most often, and how do you act on them across locations?
- 03How do you staff and schedule technicians so service keeps up during planting and harvest?
Reaching agricultural equipment dealer operations experts
How can I contact one of these agricultural equipment dealer operations experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 8 companies, including Sydenstricker Nobbe Partners John Deere; Range, formerly Lemann's Farm Supply and Papé Machinery Agriculture & Turf, based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach agricultural equipment dealer operations experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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