skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Behzod “Ben” Soliev, a native of Uzbekistan, joined Valley® Irrigation in 2011 as an international project manager, working to build Valley site capabilities and optimize global supplies.
He manages projects for international irrigation, mainly operation- and business-development projects such as locating future plant sites, start-ups, developing new standards for our international sites and knowledge sharing.
Ben also supports the supply chain for our international locations.
“I like that Valmont®, and Valley in particular, is a multinational company with offices and plants around the world,” Ben says. “It makes me proud to work with the great people of Valmont.
"I also enjoy meeting new people outside of company and being able to develop and implement new business opportunities, while – at the same time – being able to improve my international business expertise.”
Ben is a co-founder and the first president of the newly created Valmont Professional Network that focuses on attracting and developing top talent through professional development, community involvement and networking.
In his free time, Ben likes traveling and exploring new places, talking over Skype with his family in Uzbekistan, hanging out with friends, watching movies and documentaries, and reading books.
Read previous Behind the Scenes profiles:
Behind the Scenes at Valley® is a series showcasing the people behind the pivots.
“I came to Valmont® through a friend who had an opening on the credit team, where I helped for six weeks,” says Shirley Simons, Valley Irrigation Purchasing Manager and Procedure Specialist. “After some organizational changes, I was recruited to purchasing. I was encouraged to get my degree and CPM certification (Certified Purchasing Manager), and I did it all in one year!”
That was 30 years ago, and Shirley is still with Valley, although she has held multiple positions since then.
In her current job, she manages eight buyers and ensures all the parts needed to make an irrigation machine are available. She negotiates pricing continually, builds contracts, deals with national accounts across the world and constantly manages inventory levels.
“I have a great team under me, but purchasing is challenging,” she says. “There is a lot to juggle and you have to have a tough skin and think of the customer first – both internal and external.”
Shirley is thankful for all that Valley has done for her – for all the training and opportunities the company has provided her through the years.
“I’m proud to be part of Valley," she says. "I give 110 percent all the time. The support from upper management is essential to the purchasing department, and we employees and the vendors appreciate it.”
Outside work, Shirley spends time with her five grandchildren. She and her husband also “do antiques” – weathering, waxing, and selling them.
Behind the Scenes at Valley® is a series showcasing the people behind the pivots.
Mike Husen graduated from Milford Technical College in Milford, NE, and went to work for Honeywell in Minneapolis. He was given the heads up about a layoff, so he took a chance and returned to Nebraska. An employment agency steered Mike to Valmont for an interview and he was offered a job. He relocated to Fremont and the rest is history.
Mike has been with Valmont® since 1969!
Mike is a load manager and parts tech advisor for the customer service department working with quality assurance. His job is to chase down missing parts and to help support the aftermarket parts team with technical challenges.
Mike spent his first 19 years in engineering where he managed a team of nine and ran the print room. He has also worked in the water application group, order management and aftermarket parts.
Why has Mike stayed at Valmont for 45 years? It’s a combination of passion for his job, work ethic and pride.
“Bob Daugherty took a chance on me and I am constantly trying to repay him every day,” Mike said.
He also loves the people at Valmont and has made many friends and connections over the years, including a lot of great Valley dealers.
This year will bring big changes to Mike’s life and to Valmont, as Mike makes plans to retire. What will he do next? Live life!
“Home is my hobby. I do a lot of work on my house,” he said. “Grandkids are important. I like to be outside, and I have a farm to take care of.”
