Cherryland is always buzzing with activity. Employees, trucks, and inventory are constantly coming and going. Cherryland has a support system to ensure all of this is organized and flows seamlessly. Andy Hanna, the co-op’s newest materials clerk and custodian, plays an integral part in that support system. We sat down with Andy to learn more about him and his role at Cherryland.

Question: Tell us about yourself.

Answer: I was born and raised in Williamsburg, Mich. I graduated from Elk Rapids High School in 1995.

I went to Ferris State University and studied graphic arts for a couple of years, but I learned quickly that if I wanted to pursue it further, I was going to have to move to a big city. That was not the life for me.

I came back home and worked primarily in the automotive industry. I spent the last 10 years working for a local auto and RV repair shop as a service manager. I started at Cherryland in January.

My wife, Whitney, and I have been married for 17 years and we have one daughter, Jocelyn, who is 14 years old.

Q: What’s your role at Cherryland?

A: I am one of the co-op’s materials clerks and custodians. Day-to-day I help the line crews load equipment onto the trucks, receive and distribute incoming shipments, work on the grounds, organize inventory in the warehouse, and so on.

Q: What brought you to the co-op?

A: I was looking for a place where I knew I could have a future. While I was looking for a place to work, I knew people who worked for Cherryland. They only had good things to say about the work and the environment.

I love it here. I am not stressed like I was in other jobs. I think that has a lot to do with the people who work here and the environment they built.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: I’ve been a gearhead since I was young. My dad was always working on something, especially hot rods. He is the one who got me into it. Even to this day, I am working on something with him three to four nights a week.

Over time I acquired all the tools (well, maybe not all the tools!) I need to maintain my own vehicles at home. On occasion, I help friends fix up their vehicles too.

Simply put, whenever I have a chance, I like to be working on cars and off-roading with family and friends.