About

When I think of the people who have influenced my understanding of organizations, companies, or even life, I am able to specifically identify well-known thinkers and leaders. I am also able to identify equally profound people, unacknowledged across the broad spectrum, who have taught me life lessons, and business principals.

One such person is Mark Hilts, the most talented printing press operator that I have ever known. From a small northern Minnesota town, Mark was not only talented and competent, but he was also caring. He cared about doing his best, whether it was setting up a web press for an important client, or harvesting wild horseradish in the far reaches of his farmstead.

He cared about people too, his co-workers, his family, and friends. He also cared enough to be available for, at the time, a junior executive that shadowed him on the production floor, while asking incessant questions.

Over the years my relationship with Mark evolved from teacher and student to one of mutual respect. I trusted Mark’s insight, and suggestions, and in the end, he grew to trust that I would incorporate his expertise into my process. In doing so, the two of us created a production facility that attracted the largest companies in the world to a town closer to Canada that Atlanta Georgia, or Bentonville Arkansas. 

My relationship with Mark was cut short, far too soon actually, the result of cancer. Upon receiving his diagnosis, he fought bravely, and with gusto, but his health began to deteriorate. During a visit to see him in the hospital he pointedly, but politely, let me know that he was “done entertaining,” and I knew my time of seeing him in person had ended. Mark decided he wanted to leave the hospital and spend he remaining time at home. 

On his final day, I received a text from Mark’s family telling me that he would not make it much longer. I was out of state at the time, traveling, and with my meeting concluded, I hurried to my rental car and called Mark, hoping that I would be able to talk with him. Quietly, with help from his family, he answered the phone, and I was able to tell Mark how much I appreciated him, how much he had positively impacted my life, and how indebted I was to him for his wisdom. His response was “It’s not wisdom unless it’s shared,” he also told me to “always do better,” and to watch out for those “you can’t trust in the outhouse with a spoon” (one of his more colorful pieces of wisdom). His last words to me were “I love you brother,” and the call ended. To this day I am not sure if the call dropped, or if he pressed end, it really doesn’t matter.

I am blessed for knowing Mark Hilts. He absolutely had a passion for life, all of which he tempered with his own system for attaining his goals. Whether it was the correct rig while fishing for Alaska Halibut, or adjusting the chemistry while setting press colors, he brought passion and process. His teachings personally benefited me, and by association, countless others.