At Southeastern, every person has a role in moving our company forward — machine by machine, part by part, customer by customer. Together, we get the job done!
Now it’s time to celebrate and recognize our success with the MVP Award. This annual award is one of Southeastern’s most prestigious honors. Winners demonstrate the highest commitment to our mission of providing groundbreaking service, our vision, and our company values: Helpful, People Focused, Passionate About Succeeding, and More Than A 9-5.
Every year the MVP Award gives each of us an opportunity to shine a light on our fellow associates who have made an impression on us professionally, and personally. We want to thank everyone who submitted a nomination, and we look forward to announcing our newest MVP soon.
Until then, here’s a look at our potential winners and some shout-outs from their nominators.
James Kimble
Rental Fleet Manager – Cambridge/Dublin, OH
For James, the rental industry has been both a lifelong passion and a tradition. From the time he was a teenager, he worked side-by-side with his dad at their family-owned rental business in the Cambridge area. “We rented everything from champagne towers for special events to excavators. I learned pretty quickly that everything in rental is fast-paced — people always need something NOW.”
He was recruited in 2013 to help develop and enhance Southeastern’s rental division, products, and customer support in the Cambridge and Dublin markets. That’s when he decided to make a move. “Managing fleet is definitely different. But that’s what I enjoy. This is an amazing industry, and I’ll always have tons to learn.”
James credits his family and team members for the success he’s had along the way. “I’ve been blessed to have a lot of great people and mentors in my life. First my family, and now the people I work with at Southeastern. They’re family too.”
What the nominators said:
- Every time James is around, I learn something new. He has been there when I needed an extra set of hands, is great with customers, and is very knowledgeable. He goes above and beyond for his coworkers. He is a great human, and I hope to be as good of a leader some day.
- James puts customers and team members first. If he wins this award, he will try to give it to someone else. That’s the kind of guy he is.
- He is always there when you need him. DAY OR NIGHT!
Missy Sullivan
Parts Manager – Perrysburg, OH
Every company says customers are their #1 priority. But it takes associates like Missy to make that promise a reality. “I just love being able to talk with, serve, and make our customers happy. Without them, we’re nothing.”
Missy is no stranger to being on the front lines. In fact, she thrives on it. Before joining Southeastern in 2022, she served in management and customer support roles in the restaurant, retail, and heavy equipment industries. Her passion for building relationships with her customers and colleagues makes her position with Southeastern a perfect fit.
“Asking your team to go above and beyond for customers requires you to go above and beyond for them. At my previous job, the owner didn’t even know my name. At Southeastern, we’re like a big family: We know each other, we reach out to each other, and we’re there for each other.”
What the nominators said:
- Missy has completely turned around the Parts Department in Perrysburg. Customers love her enthusiasm and dedication to making sure they get what they need. And she is great at getting the technicians what they need if they can’t find it.
- Whether it’s a current model of equipment or an older one, Missy finds a way to get customers the part they are looking for. If she has trouble finding it, she will go home at night and research availability so it’s ready for the next day. Missy is very valuable to Southeastern Equipment!
Jessica Alander
Customer Fleet Representative – Novi, MI
Like many women, Jessica never pictured herself working in the heavy equipment industry. But what started out as a temporary role at Novi in 2016 turned into full-time positions as a Service Writer, then Telematics Manager.
“It took a lot of research and learning on the go from different mentors, technicians, and team members. Now I’m a lifer! I love the industry and the environment. Everyone here wants to get bigger and better, so we help each other succeed.”
Today her contributions, dedication, and determination are making the industry, and our company, more groundbreaking for all. “Never feel afraid or intimated by a new challenge. Just because you don’t know something doesn’t mean you can’t learn it.”
What the nominators said:
- I know Jessica has been a valuable asset to our company and our sales reps because I hear about it all the time! She really is the true definition of a team player.
- Jessica is always very helpful in getting the Service Techs anything they ask for.
- Jessica is more than just an employee. She’s a dedicated person driven to make the company better.
Dutch (Bernard) Diebert
Field Support Leader – Heath, OH
Communicator. Problem solver. Team builder. These are just a few of the hats Dutch wears every day as a Field Support Leader. From analyzing processes and procedures to talking with teams and customers, he helps ensure things run smoothly so we can all deliver on our mission of providing groundbreaking service.
“I’ve had a diverse career journey across many industries, everything from agricultural equipment and oil fields to law enforcement. I’ve experienced the challenges and successes with many roles first-hand, and this helps me identify what teams need to help them do their best work.”
As he travels to each Southeastern branch in the country, there’s no such thing as a typical day. That’s one of the things he enjoys about his role. But his favorite part is building relationships with people. “I like identifying a problem and helping people find solutions. To me, work is the best when we’re all learning and growing.”
What the nominators said:
- Dutch is honest, open, genuine, and a great communicator — just a good human!
- Dutch was at the Brunswick store for 6 months. He helped us run service operations and parts during a difficult time. He worked long hours and did a lot of work on his own time. He is very talented and has excellent customer service skills. He is an asset to Southeastern Equipment.
- Dutch is always there to lend a hand. He has been very helpful to both the team members and customers.
Bronson Vanatta
Service Technician – Indianapolis, IN
Going above and beyond is just a way of life for Bronson. He’s even been known to get up at 3 a.m. to help out a customer. “I grew up on a dairy farm, and I still get up at 3 a.m. every day. So if a customer has an urgent situation, I can get there and have it fixed before they show up at the site.”
Bronson’s used to urgent situations. He was a firefighter for 11 years. And like many techs, his passion for fixing broken things started at an early age, helping out at the family-owned excavating business. “I started turning wrenches when I was about 8 on everything from old tractors to bulldozers and backhoes. It’s in my blood.”
He joined Southeastern three years ago, and he’s never looked back. “The day I interviewed, I thought, Yes! This is where I need to be. I run on helping people. And that’s what we do here. If you need something, you can call anyone who’s a guru in that situation, and they’re there for you.”
What the nominators said:
- Bronson is the epitome of a team player. He always has time for other employees and will bend over backwards to help anyone. Whether he’s at work or not, he is always willing to take a call from a customer and do whatever he can to help.
- Bronson is always putting the customer first. It doesn’t matter if it’s 7:00 at night, he is there to help. He puts a smile on everybody’s face and creates a positive work environment.
- Bronson goes above and beyond to make sure customers are happy and the job is done correctly. In the office, he is a ball of energy that is infectious. We are lucky to have him in our branch.
