Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2002
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/profiles.html

Harper Transplant is Growing at Johnson's
May 2002
Carolyn Utter, Editor

    For a guy who lived the first 48 years of his life "within a 3-mile
radius on farmland in Harper, Kansas" he sure knows a lot of people in
Wichita! And although this country boy has been away from the family
farm for a few years, he still has a friendly, down-home style that puts
everyone at ease.

    Wes Hostetler became Johnson's East Store Manager just four months
ago, but it seems like every week we hear new stories about Wes running
into someone he knows. There were the teachers from Manhattan High
School who were attending the Wichita Garden Show É after talking with
Wes they discovered that they knew his daughter from last year when she
was a para at the high school. Numerous people from church and previous
places of employment find an old friend when they run into Wes at
Johnson's East store. And then there's Elmer, a retired gentleman who
works part time at Johnson's. Elmer remembers when Wes played basketball
at Hesston Community College É just a few years back!

    Wes grew up on a family farm where they grew wheat and alfalfa; and
raised dairy cattle. After spending one year away at college, "It was
dad's rule that we give college a try," Wes came back to work on the
family farm. Eventually, Wes started up his own dairy just one mile
north of the Hostetler family farm.

    He "liked it but didn't love it" so he sold the dairy farm after 26
years to pursue a career where he could "work with people." After a few
years selling farm equipment and then home construction supplies, Wes
came to work at Johnson's. He really likes the idea of working at
Johnson's because it is a "family operation" much like the family farm
that was already in his blood.

    When asked about his hobbies, Wes mentioned the 15 years he spent on
the Harper/Anthony/Chaparral School Board. His forte was negotiation and
he loved "bringing people together."

    Wes' faith is "primary in my life." As a member of Central Christian
Church, Wes belongs to the men's group, a bible study group, and has
participated in several Promise Keeper events. He was in Mile High
Stadium the first year that Promise Keepers filled the seats. He was one
of 55,000 men in attendance.

    Wes is the proud father of five children with two grandchildren on
the way. His oldest daughter, Niki, lives in Denver where she does faux
painting. She is expecting Wes' second grandbaby in October.

    Priscilla and Emilee "the twins" are next in line. Priscilla lives
in Wichita where she is a 7th grade health teacher. She's studying for
her masters at WSU and is a volunteer counselor at Choices Medical
Clinic. Emilee lives in Brownsville, Texas, where she works in the
communications department of an oil company. Emilee is due in July.

    Wes' son, Nate, lives in Harper and works at an agriculture-related
business. Youngest daughter, Sara, attends K-State where she is studying
to be a teacher and a coach.

    If you already know Wes, stop by Johnson's East to get reacquainted.
Otherwise, stop in to say "hi" and introduce yourself to our new Store
Manager!