West Side Tractor Field Technician Steven Hestekin has been recognized as a Division Champion for the 2023 John Deere Technicians of the Year Award. The John Deere technician awards program recognizes truly outstanding techs who are out there making a difference for their dealers, customers and communities. Hestekin is one of only eleven technician division champions recognized, who were chosen amongst nominations from all John Deere Agriculture/Turf and Construction/Forestry Dealers in the United States and Canada.  

Hestekin was hired by West Side Tractor in May of 2010. He is currently certified in 24 products and works in the field supporting our customers. He is always quick to jump in to assist his team and is very capable covering the service office when his Service Manager is out. He consistently provides excellent customer service to our customers and exhibits our core values of doing the right thing quickly, being a knowledgeable resource and creating a fun, family spirit.

“Hestekin is extremely knowledgeable and consistently goes above and beyond to answer technical questions and provide assistance for his customer’s Deere equipment,” said Steve Deller, West Side Tractor Vice President of Product Support. “His level of follow-up and communication is first in class. Hestekin never leaves a jobsite without making sure that the decision makers on that site understand the status of the machine and if it’s completed or what the next steps are going to be.”

Hestekin has assumed a mentoring relationship to help the younger technicians learn. He shows them how to use all of the resources available to them for help in diagnosing and repairing machines. His outgoing personality makes him easy to get along with and an integral part of the branch team.

Hestekin is an Eagle Scout and understands what community is all about and continues to live out those values every day. Much of Steve’s free time is dedicated to family activities and enjoys supporting his community by attending local events. 

“On behalf of everyone at John Deere, we would like to congratulate [Hestekin]. This nomination and award show that [Hestekin] is a tremendous representation of Deere and West Side Tractor,” said Jeff Reynolds, John Deere Director Aftermarket & Customer Support, C&F. “[Hestekin’s] work inside the dealership and out in the community is an inspiration for other current technicians and the next generation we need to attract to our industry.”