"....and the award for the best retirement timing _ever_ goes to..." my predecessor and mentor, Ken Golden, who retired on this date (February 29) in 2020 after 21 years as the head of PR for Deere. I tell people this story quite often, but that morning, I sat down with him for one last check-in before I'd officially become Director of PR for Deere. Looking back, I asked a very naive question: "Ken, if Deere ever faces a significant crisis -- I mean a really big one someday, would it be ok for me to call you?" Little did either of us know that "really big" crisis would occur in just a couple weeks. As we all know, in what felt like an instant, the world seemingly shut down over night due to the pandemic. But Ken gave me the kind of gift only an astute mentor can give -- he told me quickly and emphatically "no." He knew I would need to stand on my own. And he was so right. To this day, I'm incredibly grateful for the lessons he taught me as my manager, but even more so, I'm grateful he forced me to face the daunting challenges of those unprecedented days, weeks and months without a lifeline. I became so much stronger because of it! Not too long after his retirement, I was talking to a community member who asked who the "new Ken" was. I shared that it was me. She was dismayed "But he's an ICON! How will you ever fill his shoes!?" Ken and I both laughed about that later. It's never really about filling anyone's shoes -- it's all about forging our own paths. I am frankly really blessed to be walking _alongside_ his footprints and making way for the future of PR at Deere. What a fun ride it will continue to be!
Met Ken back in my reporter days. Strong communicator and fantastic professional. Cheers to a great career!
Beth Kern
4mo
Impeccable timing indeed!! Ken was the epitome of a leader that led with style and grace. I’m not sure how we survived those next few weeks. What a ride it was!
Wayne Krabbe
4mo
IMO it has become better than ever Thanks for your advice and guidance. John Deere is lucky to have you.
Stacy Cahalan
4mo
Love, you are the NEW legend!
Julie Stamper
4mo
Love Ken, and I think you've levelled up to ICON status yourself, Jen Hartmann.
Rachel Loussaert
4mo
Big shoes to fill, but you’re doing an amazing job 👏🏼
"It's never really about filling anyone's shoes -- it's all about forging our own paths." This line is so powerful! What a great post, and what incredible work you have done in this role, Jen! Keep leaping forward!
Inga Rundquist
4mo
Hands down best retirement date choice - makes me chuckle! Good thing he picked a great successor! 😉
Corporate Communications | Public and Institutional Relations l Media Relations | Brand Reputation | Crisis Management | Team Management | Thought Leadership | Agribusiness | Latin America
4moThanks for open yourself this way, Jen Hartmann! Life always presents us with situations that bring butterflies to our stomachs. And then we need to remember who we are and what we can do best by our own.