Larry Burkholder announces retirement from Morbark

Morbark LLC, Winn, Michigan, has announced that Industrial Sales Representative Larry Burkholder will retire after nearly 57 years with the company, effective June 28.

Although Burkholder’s contributions have been mainly with the sales team, he served in a wide range of roles within Morbark over the course of his career. When he joined Morbark on Oct. 7, 1962, as a bookkeeper, he had a hand in sales, acting as a sales assistant.

He also held the positions of marketing manager, manager of Recycling Systems Inc. and vice president and general manager of Morbark of the Lake States Inc., a franchised dealer based in Tomahawk, Wisconsin.

Burkholder frequently helped his sales region earn the highest annual revenue for the company, Morbark says. He acted as a major force behind the company, at one time achieving a 90 percent market share for industrial equipment in Florida, Morbark says.

Burkholder assisted customers in capitalizing on business opportunities and guiding others through federal and state grant processes to purchase millions of dollars of Morbark equipment, the company says. Some of the customers he established are among Morbark’s largest to date.

"I think Larry pioneered consultative selling in our industry," says John Foote, Morbark senior vice president. "He thinks like a businessman who just happens to be selling equipment. Larry’s all about helping others grow. He has had a hand in training or influencing almost all of the sales representatives at Morbark today, teaching us that sales is more than ‘memorizing and regurgitating feeds and speeds.’ It’s about helping the customer succeed."

"Larry is a true industry expert and considered a mentor by his customers and peers within the industry," says Michael Stanton, director of industrial products at Morbark. "Larry’s passion and attention to detail in an effort to provide customer successes were second to none. His legacy will continue on within the industry for many years."

Burkholder actively participated in the industry and community throughout his career, having served as president of the National Wood Energy Association during its formative years in the 1980s; on the boards or as a member of several industry associations, including the American Loggers Council, Michigan Forest Products Committee and Forest Resources Association; and as chairman of the Isabella County Republican Party.