Face Behind the Fertilizer: Orie Webb

Prior to joining Koch Fertilizer Dodge City, Orie worked as a John Deere equipment mechanic. On top of having friends who worked at Koch, he met several other employees through his job at John Deere. As a result of his interactions with them, he thought working at Koch sounded like something he would like to try. And 13 years later, he’s still glad he did.

“What’s exciting about working at Koch is the variety of challenges you encounter,” Orie said. “There are countless ways to be pushed to grow, and you have the opportunity to challenge existing processes to continuously improve. It’s like a playground for innovation where thinking outside the sandbox is not only encouraged but expected.

The most exciting and challenging part of my job is that each day feels like a fresh adventure. New challenges pop up like surprise parties — only with less cake and more problem solving!"

Orie’s Koch journey began as a loading and storage operator. He quickly became qualified in all areas of operations, which resulted in him becoming a step-up supervisor. When the need arose for a new permanent supervisor, he wasn’t interested initially. But after some encouragement and convincing from coworkers, he took on the role of D shift supervisor. After steering D shift for five years, he transitioned to his current role as operations specialist.

As his role has evolved, so has the technology used to do the job. Right after the people he works with, Orie counts the innovative technology he has access to as his next favorite thing.

“The evolution of operations has been heavily influenced by the advancement of technology,” Orie said. “It has transformed our workflow from the days of pen and paper to the sleek efficiency of computers and sophisticated control systems. Because who wouldn’t want to trade in their quill and parchment for a 49-inch curved screen monitor?”

His 49-inch curved screen monitor aside, Orie considers the most fulfilling part of his job to be helping others succeed.

“I feel most accomplished by the number of people that come to me for advice and trust me when needing help,” Orie said. “I always make myself available for troubleshooting and actively support my coworkers’ progression, being ready to step in whenever needed — whether that means coming in to lend a hand or guiding someone through a challenging situation. For me, it’s about always being there for the team, the plant and the industry.”

Knowing he has a voice, and that his thoughts and ideas matter, is a major motivator for Orie. Rather than being forced to accept the status quo, he knows as long as he works at Koch, he’ll enjoy the freedom to push boundaries for the sake of improvement and actively seek out better solutions.

“It’s like being part of a team where my opinions are valued,” Orie said. “Not just an audience member at a very long meeting.”

Reflecting on his own journey, Orie offered this advice on career growth: “In this industry there are ample opportunities for advancement — your future truly depends on your efforts. You reap what you sow, so invest in your growth and make the most of every chance that comes your way.”