Welcome to Our New Store Manager in Washington!
Middletown Tractor Sales Welcomes John Schmidt to Washington, PA
2020 was a rough year for a lot of folks, our small company included, but we are celebrating today the hiring of several great additions to Middletown Tractor towards the end of the past year. One of which, is our new Store Manager at our Washington, PA location, John Schmidt. Check out our short interview with him below!
MTS: John, tell us about yourself -- any hobbies or favorite pastimes?
John: Thank you for asking, My name is John Schmidt and my favorite pastimes are Skiing, Fly Fishing, Golf and restoring antique tractors. I have restored old Cub Cadets, Gravely walk behinds, and a David Brown/Case utility tractor. My wife and I are relocating back to Western PA from Denver, Colorado. I have 2 grown children, my son is a diesel technician in Dallas, Texas and my daughter is a 2nd grade school teacher in Highlands Ranch, CO.
MTS: Awesome! What about your background? What experience are you bringing to the table?
John: I was born and raised in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, my family has always been involved with tractors and outdoor power equipment. I started out sweeping floors at Northern Seed and Tractor company in the mid 70's. By the age of 10 I would demonstrate Stihl chainsaws by carving tables and chairs out of logs during fairs and trade shows.
Along with a large retail operation my family had the first rental company in the north hills. We also were a Stihl and Snapper wholesale distributor for western PA. I attended college at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon WV. After college I moved to Palm Beach FL to become a pilot. Then after flight school it was back to power equipment biz. I started my own rental business in Charleston SC, while we rented equipment we also sold Toro, Stihl, Gravely, Husqvarna power equipment. We grew to 3 locations and after 18 years sold out and moved onto another chapter. Recently I have worked with national equipment rental companies in sales and management. I feel I am bringing many years of knowledge and passion about power equipment and tractors to Middletown Tractor. While Middletown Tractor already has an incredible history in Farming and tractors, I can only help reinforce that tradition and passion.
MTS: What are you excited about within your new role?
John: I am most excited about being back in Western PA and meeting people who love equipment as much as I do. I one thing that has been a constant throughout my career has been to be successful you must deliver first class "Customer Service". I feel Middletown Tractor has done this for the past 70 years (almost 70), so I feel I found a great organization to call home.
MTS: And, in your opinion, why should folks choose John Deere? Why did YOU choose John Deere?
John: Why choose John Deere? Easy! John Deere is one the few manufacturers left that still make a true garden tractor, that I grew up using. Most manufacturers have gone to the ZTR mowers and left the traditional tractor fade into history. John Deere has always been there for the farmer, landscaper, hobby farmer, and home owner and they always will. That is why our customers should choose John Deere.
I look forward to restoring a few old John Deere tractors, too!
Thanks for the interview John! Welcome to the team -- we're excited to have you on board!
Middletown Tractor, Washington PA has everything you need! From John Deere and Ventrac to Stihl, Kuhn, Honda, and more, we are a full service dealer serving Washington County and our neighbors in Waynesburg, Wheeling, Pittsburgh, PA, and more! Stop by today to meet John, or speak with another friendly face, because that's the Hometown Advantage.
Learn more about Middletown Tractor Sales on our "About Us" page.