David Teigen was not more than seven when he was going to work at Rugby Equipment with his father, Curt, sweeping out the shop and doing small chores whenever he could.

From there, his place in the John Deere corporation took off.

And today, the 49-year-old is overseeing two successful dealerships in Idaho which recently received Farm Equipment Magazine’s coveted Dealership of the Year award.

“We’re quite proud of that (recognition),’ said Teigen, who has been regional manager for the dealerships in Idaho Falls and Rexburg for the past four years.

Under his brief tenure, the two dealerships, which are approximately 20 miles apart, saw sales skyrocket from $18 million to nearly $50 million.

“When I was approached (by John Deere) about relocating here they said it was one of their highest potential, lowest achieving markets,” he said. “There was nowhere to go but up.”

And up is where the two stores’ gross sales have gone. Additionally, the staff has grown from 25 to about 55 in that four-year period.

“We had lots of growing pains, but we’ve made a lot of strides forward,’ he said.

Working for a well-established and innovative company that provides quality and a diverse machinery line allows the dealerships to retain and grow their customer base.

From his early introduction into John Deere as a small boy, David worked at the Rugby dealership after school and during the summers. Some of his tasks included assembling bicycles and working in the parts department.

David graduated from Rugby High School in 1978 and enrolled at North Dakota State University in Fargo, receiving a degree in agriculture economics in 1983. Prior to graduating, he took a year off and lived and worked in Australia as part of an exchange program between John Deere and FFA. “It was a wonderful experience, and to this day still have friends I maintain contact with,’ he said.

When he graduated from college the agriculture economy was at a low point, and as a result John Deere had implemented a hiring freeze. He would eventually get work at dealerships in west central Minnesota. He was with one in Willmar, Minn., for 15 years, starting as a bookkeeper before advancing to manager. He also had part ownership in the business.

David would sell his ownership and return to Fargo, and for five years he was involved in that regional John Deere expansion from four to 14 stores.

Since 2004 he’s been in his present position overseeing the dealerships in Idaho.

Growing up on a farm, a career in agriculture was only natural for David.

Although he doesn’t get back to Rugby as often as he once did, it remains near and dear to him.

“It’s always fun to see the people I grew up with,’ he said. “I always get a warm feeling when I return there.”

He recalls his involvement in FFA and how that was a wonderful learning ground, as well as his time at Rugby Equipment.

“I thank Gary (Laughridge, former owner) for giving me that opportunity and experience,’ Teigen said.

David and his wife, Corrine, reside in Boise, Idaho, and the couple have eight children ranging in age from 32 to eight. “It makes for an interesting Christmas,’ he quipped.

When he’s not working, David loves to travel, and he and Corrine have been to such places as Italy, England, Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska. Their travel doesn’t end there, often going to visit their children.