Bichler gets bragging rights from Chamber

Not many people have devoted more time to serving local farmers than Jimmy Bichler has, and it hasn't gone unnoticed. Bichler, a 30-year veteran of the Fessenden Co-op, has been selected as the Chamber's Employee of the Month for January.

Nominated for this honor by Nyle Myhre, the Chamber believed it was high time to honor Bichler for his faithful and skillful service to the rural community in and around New Rockford. Fessenden Co-op, a farmer-owned and operated cooperative, brands itself as a cornerstone for rural communities, and with dedicated and loyal workers such as Bichler, it's easy to see why.

"[Bichler] is a valuable asset to Fessenden Co-op," wrote Myhre in his nomination form. "He gives 110% of his time and effort to please the patrons. With his 'know-how', job proficiency, and pleasing personality, he deserves to be recognized for all his years of service."

Bichler, a devoted husband, father of four, and a grandfather, described himself as something of a 'jack-of-all-trades' at the Fessenden Co-op elevator in New Rockford.

"I'm pretty much a driveway man," said Bichler. "I clean, do other things, pretty much a bit of everything."

In 1982, Bichler had been working at Farmers Equity, which was later sold to Fessenden Co-op, for roughly a year, but then decided to leave and try his hand at farming. However, farming in those days wasn't so easy according to Bichler, and after roughly a decade he returned to work at the grain elevator in New Rockford.

Now, more than 30 years later, and after helping countless farmers in the region, Bichler is ready to call it a career, as he plans to retire at the end of March.

"It's just time. I'm 68 years old ..." said Bichler about why he's retiring. "It's kinda scary really, I don't really have a bunch of hobbies, we've always worked here and just worked all the time."

That hard work has given Bichler a glowing reputation in the region and among his co-workers.

"Jimmy has always been a loyal employee who shows up to work early and will stay as long as he needs to," said Fessenden Co-op General Manager Mark Hovland. "He gets along well with everyone and is very accommodating to our customers. He's a great asset to our company and to our patrons. Congratulations to him for this honor."

Bichler wants to thank everyone that's helped and been good to him over the years, but adds that he'll have to somehow get back at Nyle Myhre for putting him in the newspaper with this recognition.

One thing's for sure, Bichler has been a staple in New Rockford and the surrounding communities for decades, and his services will be missed when he finally hangs up his hat on a successful and rewarding career.

Does someone make your day when you enter a local business? If so, nominate him or her for this award. Employee of the Month is a program sponsored by the New Rockford Area Chamber of Commerce to recognize local people for customer service excellence. Nomination forms are available at the Transcript office or online at http://www.cityofnewrockford.com/chamber. Send written nominations to PO Box 67, New Rockford, N.D. 58356 or email [email protected].