Tales from the Aisles
By Mickey Thomas
Furnas Electric, Part I
In 1973, Iowa Southern Utilities (ISU) informed the Clarke County Development Corp. that Furnas Electric of Batavia, Illinois, was looking for a second factory site. Bob Towland, local ISU area manager, and Eddy Saylor, local realtor, moved fast to entice the Batavia, Illinois manufacturer of pressure switches to locate in Osceola. A plane piloted by Jim Schaefer, flew Bob Towland, Eddy Saylor, and Larry Van Werdon to Batavia, Ill. to meet the Furnas executives. The incentive package included a reduced price on a large track of land in the Osceola industrial park. Gerald Edwards, Farm and Home Store owner, offered a rent-free home for a year to a Furnas executive, and Lloyd Querrey, owner of Querrey Motors, offered the free use of an automobile.
On May 9, 1973, Dick Hansen, President of Furnas Electric, and grandson of the founder, Carl Furnas, announced the selection of Osceola as their choice for the new Furnas Electric factory. Ground breaking ceremonies were held on August 17, 1973. Hansen, when explaining his company’s selection of Osceola said, “We visited many locations and had been hosted by many Chambers of Commerce’s and community groups. We came to Osceola, liked what we saw, and decided to become part of it.”
When Furnas Electric executives toured Osceola, Ronald Riekena, Clarke County School Supt., and his wife Sally Riekena, were among the hosts. Sally’s charm must have had a great influence on the executives because they invited Sally to apply for a management position. Sally Riekena was hired as Human Resource Director for Furnas Electric, a position she would hold for 23 years.
Initially, Sally Riekena was the only office worker. Sally remembers that the office contained only an old desk and chair that was sent from company headquarters in Batavia, Illinois. She used her own typewriter. The first hires made were Doug Stearns, Vaughn Akers, and Bill Voris. Doug Sterns remembers that the roof had just been completed when he started to work on May 3, 1974. Stearns, Akers, and Voris wore hard hats as they swept floors, put away parts, and helped set up the first assembly line. They were assisted by Plant Manager Bob Pritchard and Production Supt. Bill Abney who came from Batavia, Illinois. Furnas Electric was not superstitious. Production started May 13th with 13 workers.
During the next three years the number of workers at Osceola Furnas Electric grew to 54. By 1984, the number of workers increased to 290 as Osceola’s population grew from 3,124 to 3,800. Joe Kiefer became plant manager and ground breaking ceremonies were held for a 40,000 sq.ft. addition that would double the plant size.
Speaking at a banquet held at the Osceola Eagles for civic leaders and hosted by Furnas Electric, Furnas President Dick Hanson said, “We are delighted to be in Osceola and to be a part of it. Osceola has a special sparkle and spirit, don’t ever change.”
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