Mark Hanshaw
Family: Wife, Lora Hanshaw; and daughter Lexi Baker, who will be attending the University of Arkansas in the fall.
Town Life: “I have worked for Wood Motor Company in Harrison, Ark., for 35 years. I rarely work with a customer who comes in the door anymore, but rather with repeat customers who have bought as many as 20 vehicles over time, sometimes down to the fourth generation and sometimes all to the same person.
“Technology has really changed the business, and I sometimes sell to people I’ve never even met, which is good for the company while still allowing me to provide really good customer service and tailoring vehicles to their preferences. Another part of my job is attending a wide variety of activities and helping with dealer sponsorship of charitable organizations.”
Country Life: “We live on 230 acres we own and lease north of Harrison and outside of Alpena, Ark. We have a medium-sized purebred Angus herd. Laura’s family had Black Angus for 40 years and in 2007 we bought half of her mom’s herd, which had been a closed herd for 40 years. We sell bulls by private treaty and are working towards a herd of mommas from 3 to 10 years old. The country side of our life would not function without Lora because she does the paperwork and helps with the cows while maintaining her job, which requires a lot of travel. She is really good at tagging calves. I am also highly involved with the Roundup Club, a nonprofit organization. I am the Harrison Roundup Club Rodeo Chairman with the Harrison rodeo being PRCA sanctioned. The club also sponsors play days once a month and trail rides though the rodeo is the source of the organization’s revenue.”
Together and future: “I am really fortunate because I have a very flexible work schedule. My job keeps me in touch with people in the cattle business, which helps the country part of my life, and the country part of my life brings in customers for vehicles and trailers. Another advantage is because I’m so involved with our customer base, I am learning about their operations and learning new things I can use with mine. At this point we raise some of our hay and buy some, but I am considering moving toward only purchasing hay because of time constraints which in turn will be cost-effective for me after you consider time and money spent fertilizing, spraying and paying someone to harvest.”
