Susan Rader

FACES OF KIRBY-SMITH MACHINERY

Finance Manager Susan Rader enjoys helping customers and working with her friends in the industry

Susan Rader instantly knew she wanted to stay on board with Kirby-Smith Machinery Inc. (KSM) when it purchased the previous company she worked for.

“Kirby-Smith is a fantastic company,” said Rader, who is currently the finance manager for North and Central Texas. “When the purchase happened, a lot of us were scared, but Kirby-Smith kept everybody, and they’ve treated us like family ever since.”

Like many of her coworkers, Rader has stayed with KSM since 2009, but she has changed locations, from Dallas to KSM’s Waco branch. Her role involves assisting sales representatives and customers in the Dallas, Fort Worth, Abilene and Waco markets with their financing needs.

Susan Rader, Finance Manager, KSM, Waco

“We are a very close-knit group of people,” noted Rader. “I think when I came here there was nine of us total, and now we have about 25 people. All the offices are full, and we are all a family. I have a great relationship with all of the sales guys. I absolutely love my job!”

Rader admits that hasn’t always been the case with her various positions throughout her nearly 30-year history in the equipment industry. It started with a job answering phones for a dealership in Dallas, and Rader worked her way up into inventory control. She eventually left for a similar position with HAMM (now part of the WIRTGEN GROUP) in Dallas. When HAMM moved operations to Tennessee, she stayed in Dallas and went to work for Continental Equipment, which was then purchased by KSM.

“The day I went to work for Continental, their finance manager quit, so the gentlemen that hired me asked if I thought I could do that job,” said Rader. “I knew absolutely nothing about finance. He said not to worry about it, I would learn. I latched onto a couple lenders — who I’m still friends with to this day — and they helped me.”

KSM Finance Manager Susan Rader talks with one of her team members in Waco. “Kirby-Smith is a fantastic company,” said Rader. “I absolutely love my job!”

Enjoying family time

The move to Waco put Rader and her husband, Russell, almost directly in the middle of their two children and two grandchildren, who live in the Dallas and Austin areas. They all love to spend time with each other.

Rader, who is originally from Michigan, is also a big fan of “fast” cars and bought a 2006 Roush Mustang a few years ago.

“I grew up around them and drag raced on the weekends,” she recalled. “I always wanted one, and we found the Mustang with just a few thousand miles. We enjoy taking it out for a spin and giving the grandkids rides. It’s a blast.” ■