MATT’S ALTORFER STORY

“EVERYONE ON MY DAD’S SIDE FARMED.”

For Clinton’s Service Manager Matt Schreiner, agriculture is in his DNA. He grew up in central Illinois on his family’s farm growing corn and soybeans and raising livestock. Like many, the farm has been in his family for generations, and he continues to help on the farm to this day. It was no surprise that when he was considering possible paths after high school, agriculture was on the top of the list.

Matt’s uncle completed Illinois Central College’s (ICC) Diesel Power Equipment Technology program back in the 1980’s. His uncle volunteered to take Matt to tour the same program and see if this was of interest.

“My uncle took me to ICC and we didn’t even know ThinkBIG was there until we pulled into the parking lot and I saw all the Cat equipment,” Matt said. “We got to take a tour of the facility and I knew right then, that’s the program I wanted to get into.” 

The ThinkBIG program is a two-year, Caterpillar-specific instructional program to train future technicians. Students rotate between classroom work and internships sponsored by their local Cat dealer. It gives them on-the-job training to prepare them to begin their careers as technicians while earning their associate’s degree in applied science.

After applying for the program and passing the tests, he visited a couple Altorfer branches, but it was the Clinton store that felt like the best fit after touring the store and seeing the shop.

“I also talked with a couple guys at Clinton that went through the ThinkBIG program. One was an intern at the time, and one was still here working. They both talked about how much they enjoyed the program. I looked up to them seeing what their knowledge was and what they got out of ThinkBIG.”

Matt completed the ThinkBIG program and graduated in 2009. However, he knew that he needed to think long-term about his career.

“I was hurt playing football in high school,” Matt said. “I’ve had some surgeries and knew my body wasn’t going to be physically able to do labor in my later years. I talked to Donna Johnson – the store manager at the time – and she gave me the green light to continue my education.”

Matt enrolled in the ThinkBIGGER program at Pittsburg State University in Kansas to earn his bachelor’s degree in applied science and business administration. The program builds upon the ThinkBIG program by furthering students’ education in technology management, theory, logic, and business skills to better prepare them for managerial positions.

After graduation, he returned to the Clinton ag location to begin his career as a Pre-Delivery Inspection Technician. In that role, Matt ensured the equipment Altorfer Ag Products received was in good working order for the customer. Not even a year later, he became a shop technician and started working on the large machines.  This was enjoyable and came naturally to him due to his education and agriculture background.

“I enjoy getting a machine up and going and the self-worth of fixing things,” Matt said. “There was always something intriguing to me about getting my hands dirty.”

In April 2021, he was promoted to Lead Technician where he: trained new technicians, relaying direction from management, and maintaining the quality and safety of the shop. This role showcased his leadership capabilities and reliability.

“Matt is dedicated, self-motivated and results driven,” Clinton Store Manager Chad Cummings said. “I noticed from the start Matt is organized and has excellent follow up skills and cared about his fellow technicians’ success. When others needed assistance, he is always one to lend a helping hand.”

Matt recently accepted his new position as Service Manager. Although he didn’t picture himself in an office role this early into his career, he’s excited about the new position.

“He understands customer’s expectations through his experience as a technician and communicates well with customers and fellow employees to get the best outcome,” Vice President of Altorfer Ag Products Scott Humble said. “He also has an excellent demeanor/temperament and enjoys working at Altorfer.”

“There’s a family environment here,” Matt explained. “I come here and we can joke and have fun with our coworkers while still getting the job done. I have other equipment dealers a heck of a lot closer to me. There’s a John Deere dealer less than 10 minutes from my house. Instead, I drive 45 minutes every day one way to get here.”

When asked what he would say to young people looking to start a career as a technician, Matt says to tour the facilities, meet the instructors, and talk to some of the technicians who work there.

“And never let someone tell you that you can’t do something.” Matt added. “It’s been fun, and I’d do it all over again.”

Family History – “I grew up on our family farm, raising corn, soybeans and livestock. I still help out on the family farm and my dad, brother, and I have a hay business.”

“Everyone on my dad’s side farmed.”

ThinkBIGGER

“I was hurt playing football in high school. I’ve had some surgeries and knew my body wasn’t going to be physically able to do labor in my later years.”

 “I always wanted something to fall back on. I talked to Donna Johnson and she gave me the green light and told me that she thought it was great.”

“I went back and got my bachelors there and then I got a minor in business administration.”

BEING A TECH

“We have a customer that something fails and he can’t work on it himself. We’re able to get something up and going and it’s the self-worth of fixing things. There was always something intriguing to me about getting my hands dirty.”

“I wasn’t sitting in an office and I didn’t think I’d be sitting in here this early in my career.”

WHY ALTORFER

“There’s a family environment. I come here and we can joke and have fun with our coworkers while still getting the job done. I feel like we’re able to work together as a team. I just really enjoy working here. I have other equipment dealers a heck of a lot closer to me. There’s a John Deere dealer less than 10 minutes from my house. Instead I drive 45 minutes every day one way.”

“Everybody is associated with Cat and AGCO – the prestige quality and name has always intrigued me. Anywhere you go, you’ll see someone in a hat or shirt, sticker on their car, or the mud flaps on their truck – it says Cat on it.”

ADVICE

“My advice is to tour one or two of the facilities. See the dealerships or the schools with the programs and meet the instructors to see if that does interest you. Talk to some of the mechanics who have been doing it for a while. I’ve always been one to set goals and every once in a while, I’ll check to make sure those goals are going in the right direction.”

“And never let someone tell you you can’t do something.”

“It’s been fun and I’d do it all over again. There’s nothing that I’d change.”