Name: Zach Kabes
Hometown: Leigh, NE
Service Technician
Years at PVE: 1
Zach is a fairly new face in the Clarkson service department. In fact, it’s his first time working full-time in a shop since graduating in 2009 from the diesel tech program at Northeast Community College. His path to joining the team in Clarkson is a winding one.
Zach’s family farms in Leigh raising corn, beans, alfalfa, and cattle. Zach stayed busy on the farm growing up, especially during hay season.
“When I was in high school, I thought I’d study diversified ag, but I changed my mind at the last minute,” said Zach. “Instead I chose diesel tech. I knew if I was ever going to farm, I could fall back on diesel tech and have something else to do off the farm. It’s the next best thing to farming.”
After graduation, Zach chose to haul livestock instead of working in the shop.
“At the time, I could make more money trucking so that’s why I didn’t immediately start as a technician,” Zach explained. After adding two more little ones to their family, Zach decided it was time for a change.
“When we found out we were having twins, my wife and I decided it was time to be closer to home with set hours and good pay as a technician instead of a trucker,” Zach said. “I enjoy being able to look out the shop window at a snowstorm now and know I’m not out on the road in it.”
The day after Zach and his wife made the decision, Darren Gall, store manager in Clarkson, called.
“Darren called out of the blue asking if I wanted to run a truck for Platte Valley,” Zach said with a laugh. “I told him no, I want to be a service technician.”
A lot has changed in technology and agriculture in the decade since Zach was last in the shop. But Zach tackled the learning curve with enthusiasm. That attitude is what earned him his nomination for this month’s Pride of Platte Valley.
“Zach has only been with us a little over a year, but he has shown great attitude in wanting to learn. He always has a smile on his face and is willing to assist in any job he is given,” said Darren Gall, store manager in Clarkson. “This spring, Zach has stepped up to the plate assisting with planter optimizations and repairs. He attacks every job with a “can do” attitude.”
“My co-workers have been helpful in getting me up to speed,” Zach said. “Things come back to you once you’re in it for a while. You go out there and figure it out. You pick it back up as you get more experience working on everything.”
Outside of work, Zach manages his cow-calf herd and enjoys spending time with his wife, Jill, and teaching their four children about equipment and life on the farm. In his free time, Zach participates in area tractor pulls with the Nebraska Bush Pullers. He and his brothers run the “Commandeere,” their John Deere 4440 light limited pro stock tractor.
Congratulations on being nominated as Clarkson’s Pride of Platte Valley!
