Business
- Alumni Profile - Todd Lederman
Todd
Lederman
Owner, Dogwood Hills Tree Farm, J.K.S. Properties LLC, Dollar Daze
Middlebury, Indiana
How did you choose Hesston College?
On the way home from Colorado, concluding a high school group snow
skiing trip, we stopped to visit HC. It seemed comfortable and inviting.
What are some of your favorite Hesston memories?
Coming from a small Christian high school, Hesston offered a group
of students with similar backgrounds which is great. Hesston also included
students from different backgrounds and different cultural experiences,
and that was also great.
**I fell in love with soccer games under the lights!
**Gospel team tours--two years with the same core group of guys--were a wonderful experience.
What was your favorite course? Why was it your favorite?
Sales & Marketing and Business in America. Why? I was created and
wired to be a business entrepreneur and I connected with the content of
these classes.
Who was your favorite prof? Why was she or he your favorite?
Bill Mason. Bill's background contained practical experience. He
grew up in a family business and his adult business successes afforded
him a wonderful combination of experience, common sense, and book knowledge
during his presentations. I appreciated that. By the way, Bill taught my
son in class 25 years later.
How did your Hesston education shape you as a person and as a business
person?
At Hesston, I not only established solid life long friendships,
I grew spiritually. I was convicted that being a Christian and involved
in business can go together. What excites me are my opportunities to further
the kingdom because of my business contacts.
Where did you go/What have you done since graduating from Hesston?
1984--started and built up an excavating business
1998--sold our company and devoted our time to tree farming and
real estate.
Current - My wife and three children are all instrumental in operating
our tree farm, property management company, and retail dollar store.
What do you do now?
Dogwood Hills Tree Farm: grow, sell (retail), and transplant 80 varieties
of trees to our local community.
J.K.S. Properties, LLC: build, own, and manage apartments and commercial
buildings.
Dollar Daze: retail dollar store.
All three companies are operated from Middlebury, Indiana.
What key points should anyone considering a Hesston business education
know?
Hesston can and will provide an education with Christian ethics
and principles. There is more to a college experience than academics, and
no one could possibly do it better than Hesston!
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