Josh Armbruster Named 2024 John Deere Tech of the Year Division Champion
We are bursting with pride to announce that Josh Armbruster, a Prairie State Tractor Service Technician in Dixon, has been named a 2024 John Deere Tech of the Year Division Champion! This prestigious award recognizes only 12 exceptional technicians out of more than 15,000 across the entire United States and Canada, making Josh's achievement truly remarkable.
The twelve winning technicians are recognized not just for their exceptional technical skills, but for their unwavering dedication to their customers, their dealerships, and their communities. They consistently go above and beyond, exemplifying the true spirit of excellence in the John Deere family.
Josh exemplifies the dedication and expertise that defines Prairie State Tractor. His commitment to providing top-notch service to our customers is evident in the positive feedback we receive. As Mark B. shared, "Josh's exceptional service, patience, and problem-solving skills have been crucial to my operation. He even advises me on equipment purchases, and I trust his recommendations."
Martin M. echoed this sentiment, praising Josh's problem-solving abilities and pleasant demeanor. "He is very intelligent and he can figure things out. One of the reasons you buy where you buy is because of service and I'd never want to be anywhere else because of him." Martin stated.
Josh (left) and Calvin, student technician, inspect a John Deere tractor component.
Beyond his mechanical abilities, Josh is deeply committed to serving his community and mentoring the next generation of technicians. He has successfully mentored several student technicians, who have now become high-performing teammates. Through his guidance and expertise, Josh is helping to ensure the continued success of the ag industry and the development of talented technicians.
Josh has also been a dedicated volunteer firefighter for six years, contributing his time and skills to ensure the safety of his neighbors. As a coach, he instills values of teamwork and resilience in his children's sports teams. His passion for photography extends beyond his personal interests, as he generously donates his stunning nature photos to the local tourism council.
Photo of a pelican taken by Josh. Josh enjoys donating his wildlife photography to local northwest Illinois organizations.
Josh Armbruster’s recognition as a 2024 John Deere Tech of the Year Division Champion marks an impressive three-year streak for Prairie State Tractor. Following Wes Hartz's Division Tech of the Year award in 2022 and Jason Loudenburg's Territory Tech of the Year honor in 2023, our service technicians have consistently excelled since the program's inception in 2022.
"We’re all excited to see a humble guy like Josh be recognized as Division Tech of the Year," expressed Chris Rupiper, CEO of Prairie State Tractor. "He illustrates the qualities of a technician that our business depends on to keep customers running. He’s a mentor and a great example for our student techs entering the industry. It’s an honor to have him as a team member at Prairie State Tractor, and I can’t wait to see him recognized for his achievements."
This is just the beginning of the celebration! Stay tuned for further updates as Josh is recognized for his achievements at John Deere World Headquarters in Moline, IL this winter.
P.S. Looking to work with a team that celebrates excellence? Check out our careers page to see if we have the right opportunity for you!