Former plane tech flying high in new career
When Tracy Hogan was announced as the winner of the 2024 John Deere Parts Apprentice of the Year, she momentarily forgot her own name.
"I thought I was dreaming for a second — it didn't feel real," she said.
"Someone had to give me a nudge and say 'that's your name Tracy'. It was just unbelievable.
"I had prepared a few things for my speech but of course once I got on stage, I didn't use any of it and just improvised!
"The whole Tech Awards process was outside of my comfort zone, but it was such an amazing experience. I think we get too comfortable in our roles sometimes, so it was awesome to learn off other people, hear their stories and just be part of something totally different to what I'm used to."
Until 18 months ago, Tracy had never been close to farm machinery, but she's covered a lot of ground in the first year of her apprenticeship at the RDO Equipment John Deere dealership in Emerald.
Tracy's previous role working in parts and service operations in the aviation industry took her to rural locations where she developed a deep appreciation for agriculture from hearing the stories of farmers whose planes she helped service.
After relocating to Emerald from Mount Isa, the potential for a career change filled with fresh challenges prompted Tracy to join RDO.
"Emerald is an awesome town, so I'm stoked to be able to get this win for them," she said.
"My customers were coming in and wishing me luck in the leadup to the Awards, so it's as much for them as myself. They're the best part of my job. I've enjoyed getting to know them, understanding their needs and providing them the best service I can."
One of those customers, Joe Zarb, said Tracy has done that consistently.
"Over time, Tracy has cultivated a strong relationship with us, evolving into a trusted advisor with her knowledge of John Deere's equipment and IT systems," Joe said.
"Her dedication to understanding our business objectives and offering tailored solutions has been invaluable. Even in challenging situations, Tracy has shown remarkable professionalism and resilience. Her adeptness in managing our expectations and navigating through difficulties has been commendable."
Still early into her career in agriculture, Tracy Hogan is already inspiring future farmers.
"I call them the 'next generation of green'," she said.
"I love seeing kids getting excited seeing a big John Deere header or a mower and explaining how it all works to them. It really inspires me and makes me super optimistic about the future of this industry."