WINCO Summer 2023

As Minnesotans, we have to take advantage of the warm weather. This summer has brought on some fun activities.


Le Sueur County Golf Classic

At the end of July, we are happy to sponsor a hole and send out a team for a round of golf. This was the 18th year Le Sueur County Veterans Service Office coordinated the golf outing. All of the proceeds from the event went towards the Veterans Vans/Veterans in Need Fund. Dale Riebel, Clint Korteum, Ryan Prososki, and Brandon DePolis enjoyed a beautiful day of 4 person scramble. They may not have won the tournament, just happy to be able to play for a great cause.


WINCO’s Big Dog Challenge

On August third, we had our first annual Big Dog Challenge. Departments competed against each other in team building challenges. The afternoon started with lunch from a local food truck, speakers from each department with quarterly updates, and a drawing for prizes. Then it was game time. We had a Jenga challenge, yard pong, and human bumper balls, the winning team won the most games. Our giant maze had participants blindfolded and their department lead standing on the outskirts giving directions. It was a pretty warm day, so the dunk tank was a hit for those that were dunked. The winners received two tickets to Valleyfair and a plaque to display in their department for bragging rights. We can’t wait for next year’s challenge!


Le Sueur County Fair

This year marked the second time we had a booth at our local county fair. The fair always has great food, rides, local vendors, and animal barns. We enjoyed meeting everyone who stopped by for games and prizes! Big Dog was especially happy that it didn’t rain this year!


Dozinky Days Parade

The Dozinky Days Parade in New Prague, MN is the largest parade we participate in. The weather was perfect, not too hot and not snowing. This year, we brought one of our RP35s to the parade. We are excited about the RP line up, which we are working on expanding to bigger power nodes. It is always a great time to get out and meet our surrounding communities!


Next Event

November 30th – Torchlight Parade, Montgomery, MN


Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn to see what else we have been up to!
https://www.facebook.com/wincogen
https://www.linkedin.com/company/winco-generators

See you soon!

– BIG DOG

Get to Know WINCO – Maria

WINCO has over 80 great employees, we want you to meet them!


Name: Maria Munguia
Department: Sub-Assembly
Hobbies: Hiking, camping, fishing, being with my family


Q: How long have you been at WINCO?
A: 1 year


Q: Tell me about your family:
A: I have been married to my husband, Jose, for 39 years. We have 5 children and 11 grandchildren.


Q: Where do you like to go hiking?
A: We have a cabin up north by Duluth.

FUN FACT: Maria has lived in warmer climates, but been in MN for 35 years and loves the seasons – even snow.

Q: What is your favorite thing about WINCO?
A: Everything, especially learning new things.

Maria is a great help with our parades!


Q: I heard you recently went on a trip to Missouri, how was it?
A: It was great. My family went for my son’s college graduation.



Thank you for taking time to talk to me!

If you’re ever in the area, stop by and be sure to say ‘hi’ to Maria!

See you soon!

 Big Dog

Get to Know WINCO – Rob

Name: Rob Wick
Position: Buyer
Hobbies: Road trips, Twins games, traveling, exploring new restaurants, relaxing at home.

Q: How long have you been at WINCO?
A: 42 1/2 years.


Q: Tell me about your family.
A: I met Lynn 10 years ago, who is just a Spark! She makes me smile every day. I have one son and daughter-in-law that live in Duluth, MN and another son and daughter-in-law, plus a grandson in Tennessee. 

Grandson
At the beach

young rob

Q: You have worked at WINCO a long time, have you always been in the Purchasing Department?
A: No, in 1980 I worked in final assembly for 10 years, 2 years in Parts/Service, and 3 years in Sales. The last 27 years has been in Purchasing.

Q: Being at WINCO for that many years, were their any big moments?
A: During the recession in the early 2000s, it was pretty quiet here, but WINCO pulled through without any layoffs. Kudos to WINCO!

old rob

Q: You are retiring this month, what will you miss most about WINCO?
A: All the people and the laughter. There have been some very colorful personalities that have come through that front door.


Q: Where have you traveled to?
A: Before the pandemic – I went to Jamaica and St. Lucia – and fell in love with the Caribbean! Returning is definitely on the “things to do” list.  I also want to show Lynn Yellowstone National Park. I bought a convertible in 2020 and enjoy curvy roads and cruising with the top down. 


FUN FACT: Rob was a Cub/Boy Scout Leader for 20 years!


Congratulations on your retirement Rob! We will certainly miss your joyous spirit and gift of gab. Enjoy this next chapter in your life! Stop by and visit when you’re in the area!

See you soon!
– BIG DOG

Get to Know WINCO – Clint

Name: Clint Korteum
Position: Manufacturing Engineer

Q: How long have you been at WINCO?
A: This month marked 1 year.


Q: Tell me about your family.
A: I am blessed to be married to my best friend, Rebecca Kortuem, who is loving and supporting to our family of 7. We are coming up on our 8th anniversary. We have five wonderful children, Dylan (24), Kylie (21), Kaylee (19), Kaden (19), and Oris (8). They’re growing up faster than we can imagine.  We are extremely proud of them and are encouraged to faithfully guide and support them as they begin families and careers of their own in this crazy world.

My life is wonderful.  I am a husband, father, religion teacher, a first responder, and a firefighter.


Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I enjoy spending time with family on our patio, shooting rifles and pistols, flying drones, editing videos, Segways, boating, fishing, camping, and riding dirt bike.

I build EVERYTHING, drones, guns, planes and our home. Becky and I designed and built our home from the ground up from How-To books and YouTube videos. It was a massive project that allowed us to immerse our children into, and give them access to learning skills and trades they can use throughout their life.


FUN FACT!
Clint’s father worked at WINCO from the time he was born up until 7 years ago!


Q: I hear you have a great fashion sense.
A: At Winco I strive to engage with each employee to encourage and uplift them in their daily tasks. Every Thursday I try to brighten their spirits by wearing some “Flashy Slacks”. 

I truly enjoy the friendships I’ve made with everyone and I hope to have a lasting impact in their lives.


Thank you for taking time to talk to me!

If you’re ever in the area, stop by and be sure to say ‘hi’ to Clint!

See you soon!

– BIG DOG

Get to Know WINCO – Nikki

Name: Nikki Crosby
Position: Buyer
Hobbies: Camping, spending time with family & friends, concerts, traveling, volunteering, and cooking.

Q: How long have you worked at WINCO?
A: 8 months.


Q: Tell me about your family.
A: I have 3 kids, Kurtis, Eddie, and Abby. We have 2 dogs, Music and Notes.


Q: You traveled a lot last year. Where did you go?
A: Mexico, Vegas, Florida, Mount Rushmore, New York City, and Nashville.

Q: Where is your favorite vacation spot?
A: I love the beach.


Q: Where do you like to go camping?
A: Fish Lake, Bray Park, Lake Washington, and Sauk Center

FUN FACT: NIKKI PREFERS TO READ OVER WATCHING TV


Q: Tell me about your volunteer work.
A: Every Christmas I volunteer for Santa’s Workshop. Last year, 472 kids received gifts and goodies that were donated from various companies and fundraising. Last year was also their 7th year and I have been volunteering since they started.


Q: What is your favorite concert that you have been to?
A: FFDP, Sixx:A.M., and Shinedown.


Thank you for taking time to talk to me!

If you’re ever in the area, stop by and be sure to say ‘hi’ to Nikki!

See you soon!

– BIG DOG