Page 455 - Peterson 85 Years and Going Strong
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 Duane Jr. in San Leandro main shop in the summer of 2006
DUANE JR. IN A NUTSHELL
As a young teenager, Duane Jr. wasn’t completely sold on the idea of taking over the family business. He started pulling parts at Power during his sum- mer break at age 15. “I wasn’t super excited about that initially but at 15, what do you know? I just knew that none of my friends had a job, and I was working 40 hours a week.” The next summer he worked in the CCE shop, and each subsequent summer he worked in a different shop—BCP, the component shop, the main shop, field service. “Over time, I really enjoyed the work. It was very hard work, but it was very important because man- agement is hard work too. It’s a different type of work but it never really ends. It’s nonstop.”
For his final two years of college, Duane Jr. trans- ferred to the University of Oregon to earn a degree in Business with a minor in Economics. During that time, he worked part-time at Peterson’s Cat Rental Store in Springfield. In 2007, he graduated from the UofO, and earned his QFS black belt. And in 2008, he became a parts & service sales rep (PSSR)—the classic training ground for Peterson’s up-and-comers.
Growing up in the business, Duane Jr. had quite a few mentors. One of his earliest was his dad’s friend, Ed Rapp. “I’ve always looked up to Ed Rapp. He set a great example for me. When I was 17, he would ask me about my goals and have me write them down and email them to him. I did that for several years. I don’t see him very often now but when I do, he’s always willing to give advice. And it’s always valuable. One thing he likes to remind
     Top right, clockwise: Onsite at Schnitzer Steel—Anthony DeStefano (Peterson’s resident tech) with PSSRs Bob D’Amore & Duane Jr. in 2008; Golfing on family trip with (L-R) Chase Sorgel, Ed Rapp and Duane Jr. in May 2018; Duane Jr. as PSSR with customer Coastal Berry out of Watsonville, CA in 2008
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