Crary Industries has announced two new key positions for its Lockwood Manufacturing business unit.
Jim Balstad is Lockwood’s new business unit director, and will oversee all business unit functions for Lockwood, including product innovation, grower support, sales and dealer services. Balstad brings with him nearly 30 years of industry experience in agricultural machinery, starting at Alloway and transitioning to Wil-Rich. Prior to joining Lockwood, Balstad was the vice president of sales and marketing for Lemken USA. Having grown up on a farm near Winger, Minnesota, he is rooted in the agricultural community.
“I enjoy working with growers and dealers to help bring them the best equipment for their operation,” says Balstad. “I appreciate the opportunity to uphold the dedication Lockwood has given to the potato-growing industry and continue to grow this business unit.”
Balstad lives near Fargo, North Dakota, and enjoys spending his free time with family, snowmobiling, and working on classic cars.
Jared Fessenden is the new parts and service manager for both of Lockwood’s Idaho locations in Paul and Blackfoot and transition to this role in early 2022.
“I enjoy being connected with the farming community and Lockwood customers,” Fessenden says. “I’m proud to represent a strong brand and help growers manage and maintain their equipment.”
Fessenden has extensive experience in the agricultural industry. He started in specialized row cropping applications for sugarbeets and potatoes. Prior to coming to Lockwood, he managed a 25,000-acre corporate farm in Paul, Idaho, where he focused on potato production and processing. Fessenden comes from farming roots as well.
“I was born and raised on a family farm and ran my own operation in the Rupert/Jackson area,” he says. “I’ve been doing this my whole life.”
Fessenden now lives near Paul, Idaho, and enjoys spending his free time on the river or in the mountains with his wife and two sons. He also enjoys fishing and hunting.