adam hanel senior network engineer and client service manager, Eide Bailly When he got his first computer, Adam Hanel wasn’t content to simply play games or type up his homework. The curious 9-year-old disassembles the machine to see how it worked. “I had it torn apart, and every part was on the kitchen table. I remember my dad coming home, and when he saw me, he wasn’t happy at all,” Hanel said. “I got a stern talking to, but it worked when I put it all back together.” That first computer had a 20-megabyte hard drive, ran on a 286 processor and likely used MS DOS as its operating system, Hanel recalls. It’s a dinosaur by today’s standards. But in those days, it provided hours of entertainment for a young boy, and it helped spark an interest in technology that he turned into a career. Hanel attended two years at Montana State University Billings and finished his degree at Rocky Mountain College. He worked in School District 2’s technology department for seven years, then moved on to Eide Bailly, an accounting and consulting firm, where he is senior network engineer and client service manager.
Age: 34 Family: Married, two children What I’m reading: “The Twelve” by Justin Cronin Liked this movie: “Remember the Titans” Biggest passion outside of work: My family Working in the fast-changing technology field is often compared to the story of the Red Queen in Lewis Carroll’s “Through the Looking Glass” — “It takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place.” “You have to keep on top of it. There are a lot of training sessions that our vendors provide,” Hanel said. One recent training opportunity focused on ransomware, an insidious type of virus that encrypts files on an infected computer. The victim is usually ordered to pay some kind of ransom or the computer’s files will be wiped clean.
What’s the toughest challenge in your business? Being recognized as more than a tax and audit business. I’ve always thought that Eide Bailly Technology Consulting is one of the best-kept secrets in Billings. Spread the word. What did you learn from that challenge? I’ve learned to not be timid in talking to others about the awesome ‘nerdy’ things we get to work on. What’s the best business advice you have received? “Everyone puts their pants on one leg at a time.” Seems odd, but it was the right advice at the right time. Who gave you that advice? My dad. I remember him giving me this advice because I was super nervous to meet the CEO of our company as part of my interview process. Before the interview my dad reminded me that our CEO was just a regular guy, even if he had a different set of responsibilities. Here’s what I’d like to do to improve my
Photo illustration by JAMES WOODCOCK Adam Hanel started working with computers when he was 9 years old. community: I’ve always wanted to start an Which living person do you most adopen-air theater that operates on the weekends mire? I most admire my dad. He’s taught me in Pioneer Park during the summer. Classic that in life you have to give, not take. He’s set a movies and food provided farmers-market style great example of how to serve our community. from local vendors for all generations in Billings to enjoy. What do you consider your greatest achievement? Our two kids. Aside from profit and loss, how do you measure success in your job? Relationships. Success is all about the relationships. Projects can run ahead or behind budget.
I’m happiest when… my feet are in the sand or on a mountain top.
nathan haynie agronomist, Montana-Wyoming manager, Crop Production Services Inc. As the youngest of 13 children to be raised on a farm in northeastern Montana, Nathan Haynie didn’t anticipate much of an opportunity to someday take over the farm. He decided to go to college, and after earning a bachelor’s degree in plant science from Montana State University, he continues to work in agriculture. “I started with internships and entry-level jobs as an applicator,” Haynie said. “I started building relationships and developed leadership skills and moved my way on up.” Haynie is an agronomist and area manager for Crop Production Services Inc. The company provides fertilizer, seed, chemicals and other products that farmers use to boost yields. Montana’s agricultural producers have enjoyed an era of relative prosperity over the past decade. Last year’s wheat crop was valued at more than $1 billion. Cattle prices remain strong, and Montana farmers have turned to several new crops to diversify their earnings. As area manager, Haynie’s territory encompasses Montana and Wyoming, but he and his field men concentrate on parts of the states where agriculture dominates. “We focus a lot on the Golden Triangle Billingsbusiness
Age: 33 Family: Married, two children First paid job: Working on the family farm What I’m reading: BOB books (thanks to my 3-year-old) Liked this movie: “The Shawshank Redemption” My theme song: “Cadillac Ranch” by Chris LeDoux and “Song of the South” by Alabama Biggest passion outside of work: Spending time with family, farming and snowmobiling around Great Falls and the Yellowstone Valley and the Bighorn Basin in Wyoming,” he said. Montana has never been a major producer of corn. But new varieties of seed are providing opportunities for Montana farmers to raise dryland corn. “Demand for corn over the past four years has been astronomical, and we’re seeing more acreage as a result,” Haynie said. During an earlier era, dryland farmers often left half of their acreage fallow each year, meaning that each plot was planted every other year. The fallow acreage was tilled regularly to
reduce weeds. Now herbicides are used to control weeds, and many dryland farmers also plant peas, lentils and other pulse crops as part of a rotation. What’s the toughest challenge that you have faced in your business? The weather and the rising cost of agriculture inputs in a tough and unpredictable market and economy. What did you learn from that challenge? To value my employees and be available day, night and weekends to deliver product when the farmer is ready to hit the field. I try to stay on top of the ever-changing products, and educate farmers with alternative options of inputs. I also learned to give one-on-one attention and understand the grower’s individual needs and budget. What’s the best business advice you have received? Qualify yourself to do everything you expect your employees to do. Who gave you that advice? My fatherin-law.
Photo by JAMES WOODCOCK Nathan Haynie grew up on a family farm, and now helps farmers increase their yields. Here’s what I’d like to do to improve my community: Agriculture is such a large part of our local and national economy. I’d like to help educate our young people to better understand what it takes to put food on the table, the impact of agriculture, as well as the opportunities it holds. Aside from profit and loss, how do you measure success in your job? Gaining the trust and loyalty of our farmers and their families with their livelihood and seeing a farmer succeed beyond their own expectations.
Which living person do you most admire? My father-in-law, Steve Page. What do you consider your greatest achievement? I was able to purchase a piece of my father’s original farm. It’s a place where I can take my family and teach our children the value of hard work. I’m happiest when I’m… with my wife, Sally, and our children, Noah and Haylie.
February 2014
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