PEOPLE OF CNH
KELLY BURGESS, ELECTRIFICATION SPECIALIST
Next in our People of CNH series is Kelly Burgess, an electrification specialist based at our Grand Island Plant in Nebraska, North America. He recently received the Dr. Kenneth K. Bateman Outstanding Alumni Award for his accomplishments at Pittsburg State University (PSU) in Kansas.
Kelly receiving his Dr. Kenneth K. Bateman Outstanding Alumni Award at Pittsburg State University (PSU).
I’ve been working for CNH since 2002, starting as a Technical Support Agent. Now, I'm an electrification specialist and am also responsible for North America Energy Storage and Charging Product Management.
I feel like I’m reaching the pinnacle of my career. My electrical background, my time in tech support, and my manufacturing experience has made me passionate about supporting customers and dedicated to our electrification product development and product roadmap.
Together with my electrification portfolio management peers, I prepare company functions and dealer and customer facing services to support our electrified products. These include governmental incentives, sales, service, safety, and charging networks.
I am excited to be a part of the team that brings electrified products to market, while also showcasing their value to our customers. I wake up every day driven to combine my experiences with customer value and feel empowered to bring these concepts to life.
CONTRIBUTING TO COMMUNITIES
Kelly in Pittsburg, Kansas, when he donated and installed a new EV charging station
In 2022, I donated and installed a new Electrical Vehicle charging station in Downtown Pittsburg, Kansas, in partnership with the City of Pittsburg, local sustainability advocates, and the Colonial Fox Theatre – the city’s first station of its kind.
I felt it was necessary to show support to the Pittsburg area, especially after my father, who drives an electric vehicle, pointed out that the closest Direct Current Fast Charger is in Joplin, Missouri, more than 30 minutes away by car.
The charging installation, supported by SWTCH Energy Network, provides a healthy charge in just two hours and allows drivers to activate the station from their smartphones.
I’ve also fundraised for numerous charities to give back to communities throughout Kansas and Nebraska for the past several years. From installing EV charging stations at a local grocery store and building a roadside EV service unit to donating nearly $300,000 worth of equipment to PSU’s Automotive Technology Department.
LEGACY
When I’m not working, I like to stay involved in education and tinker on cars and tractors. I am on the Automotive Advisory Council for Pittsburg State University and play an active role in supporting student curricula. I’m also a member of the Committee of Supervisors for a local credit union.
I look forward to providing our customers with sensible electrified product offerings at CNH and am very excited about boosting public infrastructure to support our products.
For the last 13 years I’ve served on the College of Technology advisory board helping to provide training aids, engines, and transmissions to the program to help the next generation of students.
When you’re able to put together all you’ve learned and make a business model that’s great for everyone and do it in a way that promotes the sustainability of the planet, it’s very rewarding.
PLANT SPOTLIGHT: GRAND ISLAND, USA
The History of the Plant
In the US, ‘Back In My Arms’ by The Supremes was number one and Lyndon B Johnson was president when our Grand Island Plant began operations on June 5, 1965.
Back then, the plant was known as Sperry New Holland after New Holland was purchased by the Sperry Corporation in 1947. New Holland had been a hay and forage company but after joining Sperry, it branched out into a manufacture of other farm equipment including skid steer loaders.
In 1986 Sperry New Holland was purchased by the Ford Motor Company and it became Ford New Holland with twin rotor combine production transferring from Lexington, Nebraska. The company also made small square bailers and pull type harvesters. In 1991 when Fiat acquired the company., it became known as New Holland North America and added haybine and discbine mowers and grind mixers to the product offering.
In 1999, Case IH and New Holland merged to become CNH Global, launching the start of combine, discbine and grind mixer manufacturing at the plant. Grand Island, through the many changes over the years, has remained an important employer for members of the surrounding communities. Employees take pride in producing machinery such as the Case IH 140/150 Series Midrange combines. The end of an era was ushered in when the Axial-Flow 150 series ceased production at Grand Island in October last year. The next iteration of the series, the 160, will carry on the legacy. Grand Island is also one of the many CNH North America sites known for its multi-generational employees and loyal customers.
The Messina families of Geraldton, Australia, along with their local dealer, recently traveled to the Grand Island plant to pick up their 100th combine.
The Messina families during their visit to pick up their 100th combine.
During their stay, they received a VIP plant tour, met with employees and learned about the history of our Case IH brand. The event welcomed the first 100th combine customer to the plant from a region outside of North America.
The family’s first Case IH combine, an Axial-Flow 1680, was purchased through Case IH dealer Purcher International, in Geraldton, Western Australia, in 1991. The dealership has been handling every purchase since then to help the Messina families run their 24,000 acre farm. They currently run four Axial-Flow 8250s and three Axial-Flow 7250s.
“We’ve kept purchasing the Axial-Flow because it’s a very straight-forward, high-production machine. It’s simple to operate and maintain and they’re high capacity for their size,” said the Messinas.
Dustin Alexander
“The family and the dealership specifically requested that we pass along a sincere thank you to all the employees for the hard work, pride, and the level of quality provided in our products. At the end of the event, they made it abundantly clear how important we are to the success of their operations,” said Grand Island Plant Manager, Dustin Alexander.
KANSAS FAMILY BUYS 200TH CASE IH COMBINE
The Farris family
Rick Farris and Gerry Heim with the 200th combine
The Farris family were honored as they purchased their 200th Axial-Flow combine at the end of last year. The Farris’ run a custom harvesting company, Farris Brothers Inc, and have been loyal customers since 1987.
Rick Farris and his son, JJ Farris, were greeted at Grand Island by 850 Case IH employees and President Gerry Heim of the Hoxie Implement Co. Inc. dealership as they came to pick up four new combines built at the plant.
Farris Brothers Inc. started in 1944 when the need for custom harvesters rose during World War Two. By the 1980s, they became a charter member of the U.S. Custom Harvesters industry organization with Rick Farris serving as President.
In 1988, the Farris family switched exclusively to Case IH combines. As their business continued to grow, so did their need for efficient, reliable combines.
“The Farris’ aren’t just customers to us. They’re part of our family and have been since they first walked through the door at Hoxie Implement over 30 years ago. They’re also a great reminder of what we represent. Putting our Customer First and building relationships that span multiple generations. My father, Gerald, sold Rick Farris his first Case IH combine. It’s an honor to sell the Farris’ their 200th,” said Ed Heim, Chief Operating Officer, Hoxie Implement dealership.
GRAND ISLAND’S THREE GENERATION SOTO FAMILY
The Soto Family
Three generations including 20 plus family members have been working at our Grand Island plant since the very beginning, notching up more than 320 years’ service between them.
The Soto Family shares their experiences working in the plant, what it means to be One Team, and how they have been Growing Together to serve our customers.
“It is amazing to have 320 plus years. There are others that passed away that were in the family as well, three generations of family. And who knows, maybe it won't end there. It was the sought-after place to work because of the pay and benefits.
It was just the place to be. It is still the place to be. It's taken care of all our families, and it still does today,” said Robert Soto Jr who works in corporate quality manufacturing and has been with us more than 30 years.
Learn more about the Soto family from the eight-part North America Careers in Manufacturing series where we showcase our colleagues and highlight the various career opportunities and roles within the manufacturing industry. Check out the video about the Soto family here.
