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September 2008 Press & CharterWarehouse & Inventory Team
Ferd Dielman, Petoskey
Ferd oversees the purchasing of tools and hardware for the company. Working closely with staff at all three stores, he also develops monthly product specials and promotions.
“I came to work at Preston Feather Building Centers in 1990 from running my own maintenance business. I did business with Preston Feather and jumped at the chance to work for such a great company. To this day the focus has not changed. It is always, ‘The Customer is always first’.
I live in Petoskey with my wife Karen of 30 years and when not working love to play golf and go camping in the most beautiful place in the U.S. – Northern Michigan.”
Steve LaVictor, Petoskey
Steve has been involved in the lumber industry for almost forty years. From working with his father, who was employed by Michigan State University’s Forestry department, to the thirteen years with Hankey Lumber and now with twenty three years at Preston Feather Building Centers. He has had ten different jobs, from driver to general manager.
“Of all those jobs I consider the Customer Service Manager to be the most important,” says Steve. “All those other titles were just fancy names for responsibilities that all come back to providing our customers with the most efficient use of their time and money.”
Nowadays Steve works to make it easier for our frontline salespeople to help our customers “Build with Confidence.” He lives in Petoskey with his wife of thirty four years. They have two grown boys who live in Freeland Michigan.
“We love to visit them as often as possible, me because it’s only an hour and a half to a Red Wings game, and my wife, because she gets to see her boys.”
Dave Robbins, Harbor Springs
Keeping the inventory levels at Harbor Springs is a delicate balancing act for Dave Robbins. Working closely with Ferd, he tries to make sure we have just enough of this and not too much of that on our shelves. “If it’s worth doing, do it right the first time,” is Dave’s goal, along with making sure we stock everything necessary to keep our customers happy.
Prior to joining Preston Feather Building Centers, Dave held positions as a waiter, a security guard, and with a hardware/auto parts store. He grew up in Michigan’s Ice Box, attending Pellston High School and North Central Michigan College.
Dave still resides in Pellston with his wife, two sons and a daughter. He enjoys spending time with the family camping, umpiring his children’s sporting activities and being outside. He also finds time to volunteer as a firefighter, and he’s a member of the Emmet County Search & Rescue team.
Ray Bone, Petoskey
As part of the merchandising, purchasing and inventory team, Ray Bone makes sure that the shelves in Petoskey are well stocked with our Customer’s favorite tools and hardware. When asked about his Customer Service philosophy Ray replied, “Respect isn’t earned, it is deserved by all, and so honest, respectful effort is deserved by all Customers who choose to support this business.”
Ray is experienced in business, having been a sole proprietor prior to joining Preston Feather in 2004. He also has experience in retail management, kitchen design and is a gemologist.
Good friends, good times and everyday goofy situations keep him laughing. There are plenty of good friends and good times while working at Preston Feather Building Centers. Ray is happy to be here because as he put it, “I sought out Preston Feather because their reputation involved integrity and this expectation has proven true.”
During his off-hours, Ray enjoys time with his 7 children, 11 grandchildren and an extremely large extended family. He often wears fish-themed shirts due to his fondness for fishing and a variety of outdoor activities.
Scot O'Neill, Petoskey
Scot O’Neill has been with Preston Feather Building Centers since 1995, keeping the Petoskey warehouse neat, efficient and very well organized. When customers come to pick up an item stored there, Scot easily and promptly finds those quality products. Scot also serves as the company safety coordinator assisting all stores with annual inspections and safety training.
What Scot likes best about Preston Feather Building Centers is the way the company takes care of the people who work here. He is also grateful for the faith and trust the company has in him, allowing his job to be completed in the most efficient way possible.
Scot grew up in Mitchell South Dakota, moving to Petoskey in time to graduate from Petoskey schools. He served our country in the United States Air Force, retiring from service prior to joining Preston Feather. He has a large family; he and his wife are parents to seven and grandparents to an ever-growing number of babies. By the end of summer, there will be eight grandchildren! When he’s not spending time with family, he and his wife enjoy seeing new things and places. Scot also volunteers for many community organizations and is a Firefighter and Medical First Responder.
