Author: Josie

Get to Know WINCO – Rich

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Name: Rich Holcomb
Title: Facility/Equipment Project Manager
Hobbies: Ice fishing, camping, 4-wheeling

Q: How long have you been at WINCO?
A: In February, it will be 10 years.

Q: Have you always been the Facility/Equipment Project Manager?
A: I started in the receiving department, then promoted to Material Handling Lead. I then moved to Quality Assurance, and then was a Service Technician. I was a Factory Manager and Material and Maintenance Lead before I was promoted to the Facility/Equipment Project Manager.

Q: Tell me about your Family.
A: I have been married to my wife, Amanda, for 4 years. I have a son Reese, and a step-daughter and step-son, Bryce and Landen. We also have two dogs, Lady and Duke.

Fun Fact: Rich met his wife at WINCO!

Q: Do you have a favorite place to go ice fishing?
A: Not really, we usually stick to lakes closer to home.

Q: Where do you like to go 4-wheeling?
A: We like to go on the Soo Line Trail around Onamia, MN.

Oooops!

Thank you for taking time to talk to me!

If you’re ever in the area, stop by and be sure to say ‘hi’ to Rich!

See you soon!

– Big Dog

Get to Know WINCO – Cris

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WINCO has over 80 great employees, we want you to meet them!

Name: Cris Blaschko
Title: Planner
Hobbies: Crocheting, crafting, reading, Diamond Dots

Q: How long have you been at WINCO?
A: This month marked my 25th year.

Q: Have you always been the Planner?
A: I started in the paint department, then went to sub-assembly. I was the Winpower Office Manager, then went to the stock room and shipping. I have been in the Planner position since 2013.

Q: Tell me about your family.
A: I was married for 11 years. I lost my husband, Randy, 15 years ago. We have a son, Erik, who is 25.

Q: Tell me about your hobbies.
A: I crochet afghans. I have a Cricket and create t-shirts and can coolers. I relax by doing Diamond Dots and reading.

Fun Fact: Cris is the only left-handed person within her parents and siblings.

Q: I hear you go on a trip every year, can you tell me about that?
A: There are only 8 girls in my high-school graduation class. Every year we go on a girl’s trip.

Thank you for taking time to talk to me!

If you’re ever in the area, stop by and be sure to say ‘hi’ to Cris!

See you soon!

– Big Dog

Get to Know WINCO – Dan

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WINCO has over 80 full-time employees. We want you to meet them!

Name: Dan Curran
Title: Service Manager
Hobbies: Hiking, fishing, camping.

Q: How long have you been at WINCO?
A: 3 years

Q: Tell me about your family.
A: Melissa and I have been together for 10 years. We have a daughter, Chloe, who is 9. We are from Minnesota, but lived out in California for 7 years. We each have our own cat.

Birthday
King & Cleo

Q: Congratulations on your new position as our Service Manager! Tell me about your background.
A: Starting as a young kid, I have always been interested in electro-magnetism and rotating equipment. I assembled my first DC motor from a kit when I was 9. I received a Marine Technician Certificate from Universal Technical Institute. I was certified by many outboard motor manufacturers. I worked for marine dealerships for six years.

Before starting at WINCO, I spent 7 years as an overhead crane & hoist technician and quickly took on the role of Sales & Service Manager. At WINCO, I use my past experience to continually grow in the power generation industry, when troubleshooting units out in the field.

Fun Fact: There are multiple Dan’s at Winco, this Dan goes by 3.1

Jeffers Petroglyphs, MN

Q: Where is your favorite spot to hike?
A: My favorite places are in the mountains. There aren’t any mountains in Minnesota, so I have to settle for cliffs. The best place in MN are Blue Mounds State Park and the north shore of Lake Superior.

Q: Have any favorite fishing holes?
A: I have a lot of ‘sleeper’ spots I like to go to. I don’t tell anyone which lakes, to keep them from getting too crowded. I mostly like just being on the water.

Thank you for taking time to talk to me!

If you’re ever in the area, stop by and be sure to say ‘hi’ to Dan!

See you soon!

– Big Dog

Get to Know WINCO – Mike

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WINCO has around 80 full-time employees. We want you to meet them!

Name: Mike Bohnsack
Department: Final assembly
Hobbies: Hobby farm, hunting & fishing

Q: How long have you been at WINCO?
A: About a year and a half

Q: Tell me a little about your family.
A: Michelle and I have been together for 6 years. We have two sons, Bennett and Nathaniel.

Q: What do you hunt for?
A: Mainly deer.

Do you have a favorite spot?
A: I usually hunt on my in-law’s property.

Q: Do you fish year round or for a certain season? Do you keep what you catch?
A: I fish all year. I keep most everything I catch.

Q: I heard you were in the paper, what was that about?
A: Michelle has a flower business. We have a 40′ x 40′ flower garden. We sell them at local farmer’s markets on the weekends and she makes arrangements for special occasions.

FUN FACT: Mike is 6’8″ tall!

Q: What kinds of animals do you have at your hobby farm?
A: We raise cattle and chickens for meat. We will be getting some pigs next year. We also have our dog , Diesel, and a lot of farm cats too.

Thank you for taking time to talk to me!

If you’re ever in the area, stop by and be sure to say ‘hi’ to Mike!

See you soon!

– BIG DOG

If you want to join our Big Dog Team, see what positions we have open and fill out an application here!

Big Dog’s Big Adventures

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2022 has been a big year for me! Starting out with local parades and going for car rides around Minnesota attending trade shows. Although the year isn’t done yet, I thought I’d share some highlights!

PARADES

Starting in June, I made my debut appearance at two parades. Cherry Creek Days and the Le Center Fire Department 125th Anniversary celebration. I recently was at the Dozinky Days Parade and have one more left to attend in December. My WINCO friends and I have enjoyed handing out candy and can coozies!

SHOWS

I also hit the road to attend a few fairs and expos around Minnesota, including Nicollet County Fair, Le Sueur County Fair, FarmFest, and a Spray Foam World Wide event. Mother Nature also made a guest appearance; two of the shows were hit by tornadoes. Don’t worry, I was safe!

I had a great summer and I hope you did too! See you soon!

– BIG DOG