Bob grew up on a family farm in Melrose, graduated from Albia High School, and received an Engineering Degree from the University of Iowa. After an Internship in Eddyville, he joined Cargill full time, working in their corn and rice milling operations. After 8 years of night school in Tennessee, Mississippi and Ohio, he received an MBA from the University of Dayton.
Bob left Cargill and founded Sinclair Tractor in 1998. The company evolved beyond its John Deere dealership roots, became a Napa Auto Parts dealer, created a computer repair business, founded an agronomic consulting company and most recently added a supply business serving butchers, repair shops, offices and restaurants. Today Sinclair Tractor has 16 Locations in southeast Iowa.
2026 Dealership of the Year, Messick’s Equipment, Mount Joy, Pa.
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Neil Messick, Co-Owner, Brian Messick, President, and Jay Gainer, General Manager, discuss how the Messick’s dealership has grown over the past 75 years to now employ 350 people.
Since 1980, A&I Products has become a leading manufacturer and wholesale distributor of aftermarket replacement parts for the agricultural, turf, and industrial equipment markets. A&I Products' experience and expertise has greatly contributed to the company's reputation as a top supplier of quality, reasonably priced parts. Founded with roots as a small machine shop and repair facility, the company made the transition by manufacturing new parts to replace those that were identified as commonly needing repair. Throughout the 1980s, the company quickly garnered a reputation for offering quality parts at a reasonable price.
