Kirby-Smith Product Support Coordinator Dianna Schwake

FACES OF KIRBY-SMITH MACHINERY

Appeal of a close commute turns into a long-term career prospect for Product Support Coordinator Dianna Schwake

When a recruiter called Dianna Schwake about a job with Kirby-Smith Machinery Inc. (KSM), her first thought was “sign me up.”

“The Fort Worth branch was less than five miles from my house,” said Dianna. “I really had no idea what Kirby-Smith did, but that was definitely appealing right off the bat. The more the recruiter talked about the company, the better it sounded. I came on as a temp in a sales administrative role in March of 2021.”

A year later, Dianna is a full-time product support coordinator who gathers information for product support representatives as they grow their territories. Even though she remains based in Fort Worth, she assists product support representatives throughout the company.

KSM Product Support Coordinator Dianna Schwake (right) talks with Product Support Sales Representative Matt White at the Fort Worth branch. “I have a few reports that I do regularly, but for the most part no two days are ever the same, and I love that,” said Dianna. “I also love the team and family atmosphere at Kirby-Smith. Everyone gets along so well, and we are all very supportive of each other. Everyone has a common goal — to take care of customers.”

“I have a few reports that I do regularly, but for the most part no two days are ever the same, and I love that,” said Dianna. “I also love the team and family atmosphere at Kirby-Smith. Everyone gets along so well, and we are all very supportive of each other. Everyone has a common goal — to take care of customers.”

Likes the water

Dianna returned to the Fort Worth area after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014 with a degree in sports medicine. While in school, she was a member of the rowing team.

“I went to a campus event fair; they noticed my height and recruited me,” Dianna recalled. “Like this position with Kirby-Smith, I had no experience, but I grew to love it. There were a lot of early mornings. I would generally wake up at 4 a.m. and be on the water by 5, then head straight to clinicals and classes. It involved endurance and tapping into your potential and pushing yourself to be better.”

Though she doesn’t row anymore, Dianna still likes to spend time on the water. Her father taught her how to sail while they were living in Florida, and she continues to do that in Texas. She also likes to hang out with her chocolate lab, Monty.

Now that Dianna is established with KSM, she can see herself becoming a long-term member of the team.

“Every time I sit down and talk with my boss, or my boss from my previous position, they talk about the company’s growth,” she said. “That’s exciting. There are numerous opportunities here, and I’ve seen how people have grown and stayed with the company for many years. I can see that happening for me, too.” ■