Bob Webb Celebrates 15 Years with Iowa Select Farms
posted on Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Congratulations to Bob Webb for celebrating 15 years with Iowa Select Farms!
Although we’re happy to claim him as one of our own, Bob’s thick southern accent is a dead giveaway that he’s not an Iowa-native. His southern roots run deep and his first experience working with pigs was actually on his family’s 800-sow farrow to finish operation east of Atlanta, Georgia. After graduating high school, Bob knew he wanted to continue working in pork production and the best place to do that was the Midwest.
Bob’s job brought him to southwest Iowa where he worked to reorganize a group of sow farms. From managing animal care and remodels/construction to HR and working closely with investors, he did it all.
“That was a great experience for me because I was young, eager to work and full of passion for the industry,” said Bob. “It was a lot of hard work, lots of long hours. But I loved it. It was exciting to get farms that had basically shut down back into production.”
After he got the sow farms up and running, they were sold and Bob traveled for another company to other states working on similar projects, revamping areas of the business and starting up sow farms, boar studs and nurseries.
In the early 90’s, Bob joined a live production company where he worked as vice president for ten years. Then in 2004, he joined the Iowa Select Farms team as Director of Grow-Finish.
“There’s something special about Iowa Select Farms that hasn’t changed since I started 15 years ago,” said Bob. “This is a family-owned business that is truly invested in the success of their company and their employees. This company is an extension of the Hansen family and that shines throughout everything they do.”
In his current role as Senior Finishing Supervisor, Bob oversees nearly 200 farms and manages a team of 10 finishing supervisors. His days consist of farm visits (and lots of them), making important decisions on animal health, transportation flows, setting up farms for new groups of pigs, overseeing the care of recently placed pigs, marketing and of course, working closely with his team to ensure all procedures and protocols are being followed.
Yes, his job is hectic and demanding, but also extremely rewarding when he has an opportunity to develop and grow talent on his team.
“I’ll tell you my favorite part of my job is being able to take somebody that’s been struggling and get them turned around and headed in the right direction,” he said. “Whether it’s a supervisor or animal caretaker, being able to provide someone with training or extra support and seeing them succeed as a result is very rewarding.”
To relax after a stressful workday, Bob enjoys spending time with his wife Dawn, who is an art teacher for South Hardin and the couple’s children. The pair travels to Florida once a year to visit Bob’s brother and enjoy taking other small trips here and there.
So, what does the next decade have in store for Bob and his family?
“Well, the one thing I can say for sure is that this is where I’m going to retire,” he said. “Iowa Select Farms isn’t going anywhere and that’s because of the foundation our owners have laid. I’m proud to have been a part of making Iowa Select Farms what it is today, the largest family-owned hog company in the country, and look forward to finishing out my career here someday.”
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