Since 1997, Hy‑Vee has honored its longest‑serving, dedicated employees by featuring their portraits on the sides of semi‑trailers. These “helpful smiles” travel across the Midwest, serving as a moving tribute to the people who make the employee‑owned grocer a special place to shop and work.
In 2026, the tradition continues with a growing list of honorees:
- May 21 – Cumming, Iowa: Chris Bryant (40+ years) and Monte McCann (45 years), sales representatives at the Lomar Distribution Center.
- May 27 – Brookings, South Dakota: Darin Schleicher, produce manager and 2025 Legendary Customer Service Award recipient.
- May 27 – Le Mars, Iowa: Shannon Groepper, floral manager and 2025 Legendary Customer Service Award recipient.
- June 1 – Rochester, Minnesota: John Hazuka, pharmacy delivery driver and 2025 Legendary Customer Service Award recipient; Bryant Meyer, bakery cake designer and 2025 Legendary Customer Service Award recipient.
- June 5 – Mason City, Iowa: Deb Buland, retail product and pricing manager, for more than 40 years of service.
- June 10 – Spring Lake Park, Minnesota: Heather Teresiak, pharmacy manager and 2025 Legendary Customer Service Award recipient.
- June 12 – Johnston & Urbandale, Iowa: Four Des Moines‑area Hy‑Vee employees were honored: Julie Headley, human resource manager; Tim Jetsam, meat department manager; Jill Lee, retail product and pricing specialist; and Loren Navratil, seafood clerk.
- June 15 – Des Moines, Iowa: Meat Cutter Dean Cirksena has worked with Hy-Vee for 40 years.
- June 15 – Altoona, Iowa: Bill Elliott, a meat cutter, has worked with the grocer for more than 40 years.
- June 18 – Manhattan, Kansas: Patti Grotzinger has served in a variety of roles for almost 30 years.
About Hy-Vee
Hy‑Vee, an employee‑owned corporation, operates more than 560 business units across nine Midwestern states with sales of more than $14 billion annually. The company’s more than 70,000 employees provide “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle” to customers every day.
