Springtime brings warmer temperatures, green grass, the end of the school year, and graduation. Each year we congratulate area graduates and wish them the best in their future endeavors. Occasionally we have the honor to call these graduates by another name, teammate, meet; Chris Mockros, Hannah Lieser, Hayden Schliemann, Jacob Bohnsack, Mauricio Botello, Owen Henry, Shelby Wiersma, and Tyler Peters. These graduates are part of Felling’s Night & Weekend Shift Teams, working part-time with a swing shift schedule; this is their after-school job.
Chris Mockros, Sauk Centre
Chris Mockros is the son of Aaron and Nancy Mockros and is a graduating senior at Sauk 
Centre high school. Chris is 17 and takes part in many school activities such as football, archery, trap shooting, and track & field. His dad, Aaron works for a medical delivery service, and his mom, Nancy works for a security company. Chris is one of Felling’s Welding Interns on the Night Shift Team. “I took a welding class through school (Careers in the Community) where we would come to Felling to learn more about welding and practice welding, and I chose to continue with the second semester and got into the internship program,” said Chris. After graduation, Chris plans to attend Ridgewater College in Willmar. “I will be going there for the two-year welding program,” said Chris. We asked Chris what he has learned while working here that he will use in the future, he replied, “The welding skills that I have learned.”
“I took a welding class through school (Careers in the Community) where we would come to Felling to learn more about welding and practice welding…” – Chris
Hannah Lieser, Sauk Centre
Hannah Lieser is the daughter of Mike and Mary Lieser and is a graduating senior at Sauk Centre high school. Hannah is the oldest of 3 children with a younger sister and brother. Throughout her high school years, she has been involved in volleyball, FCA, Captains & Leaders, and managed the girls’ basketball team. “I love watching baseball and hanging out with my friends and family,” said Hannah. Hannah’s father works in construction, and her mother is the lead Purchaser at Felling Trailers. In the fall, Hannah will be attending Alexandria Technical and Community College for Business Management. “I am not sure where that is going to take me yet, but I am excited to see where I end up,” she said. Why Felling? “Felling was looking for some office help, and I knew that I wouldn’t be able to work at a full-time standing job, due to sports injuries, so this was perfect for me. I have dealt with sports injuries and was unable to play, but I could still be a team manager. Felling’s offered flexible hours so I was able to be part of the high school athletic teams as much as I could.” We asked Hannah what she has learned while working here that she will use in the future, “When I started at Felling’s, I never even thought about all of the learning experience a job like this had for me. I have learned so much about the basics of communication, time management, and teamwork. When there are many moving parts in a company, it is crucial to make sure everyone is aware of the changes that may be happening. Good communication throughout the entire company is essential to ensure everyone is on the same page. I may not play a large role in the production process, but watching the supervisors communicate and work with their teams is eye-opening, which shows why Felling Trailers’ is a successful company.” Where does she see herself in 5 years? “Five years down the road, I’m not sure where I will be, but I imagine I will be doing something that I love. It may involve sports or maybe helping others, but in five years, I hope to end up somewhere I can be successful.”
“Felling’s offered flexible hours so I was able to be part of the high school athletic teams as much as I could.” – Hannah
Hayden Schliemann, Melrose
Hayden Schliemann is the son of Roxanne Schliemann and Michael Thell and is a graduating senior from Melrose high school. Hayden and his family have a hobby farm with a few cows, pigs, goats, and chickens. Hayden is part of Felling’s Night Shift Finishing Team as a Final Assembler, where he assists in the decking and wiring of the trailers bringing them to a completed state. “I knew some people who enjoyed working here so, I thought it would be a good place for me too,” said Hayden. After graduation, Hayden plans to attend Alexandria Technical College for their welding technology program. We asked Hayden what he has learned while working here that he will use in the future, he replied, “The skills I learned with hand tools and how to work with others.” In five years, Hayden sees himself hopefully with a stable job and maybe his own home.
“I knew some people who enjoyed working here so, I thought it would be a good place for me too.” – Hayden
Jacob Bohnsack, Sauk Centre
Jacob Bohnsack is the son of Heather and Barry Bohnsack and is a graduating senior at Sauk Centre high school. Jacob takes part in many school activities such as football, archery, and trap shooting. His mother, Heather is a nurse, and his father, Barry is a self-employed contractor. Jacob works as a General Laborer at Felling on the Night Shift Team. “Felling Trailers seemed to be the place where I could further my basic knowledge about the manufacturing industry,” said Jacob. After graduation, Jacob plans to attend Ridgewater College and enhance his welding knowledge. In his time at Felling, he has gained a good understanding of what responsibility and accountability mean on the job. “I can take all of the skills that Felling Trailers has provided me and use them anywhere. I have gained a heck of a work ethic,” said Jacob. In five years, Jacob sees himself working a full-time job and owning a stable home.
“I can take all of the skills that Felling Trailers has provided me and use them anywhere. I have gained a heck of a work ethic.” – Jacob
Mauricio Botello, Browerville
Mauricio Botello is the son of Jaquelyn Botello and is a graduating senior at Browerville high school. Mauricio is the oldest of three children. He has two sisters, 16 and 13 years old, and lives with them and his mom. Mauricio is part of Felling Trailers’ Weld Production Night Shift Team, working as a Welder in Project Weld. “I enjoy welding. I first learned how to weld from my grandpa, and I wanted more experience at it, and I can get that here (at Felling),” said Mauricio. “Every day I go to work, I learn more techniques to welding properly.” After graduation, Mauricio plans to attend Alexandria Technical College for their welding program and continue working at Felling Trailers. When asked where he sees himself in five years, he replied, “hopefully a fully certified welder, living the dream.”
“Every day I go to work, I learn more techniques to welding properly.” – Mauricio
Owen Henry, Sauk Centre
Owen Henry is the son of Lisa and Mitchell Henry and is a graduating senior at Sauk Centre high school. Owen and his family like to joke around a lot and give each other grief. He is part of Felling Trailers’ Weld Production Night Shift Team, working as a Welding Intern. “I was interested in the class for the first two-quarters of school when I realized there was an internship, and I went after it,” said Owen. After graduation, Owen plans to attend Ridgewater College. We asked Owen what he has learned while working here that he will use in the future, he replied, “I hope to use everything I can at every possible moment I can.” When asked where he sees himself in five years, he replied, “hopefully progressing at a steady pace.”
“I was interested in the class for the first two quarters of school when I realized there was an internship, and I went after it.” – Owen
Shelby Wiersma, Parkers Prairie
Shelby Wiersma is the daughter of Bill and Deanna Wiersma and is a graduating senior at Parkers Prairie high school. She is the youngest of four kids, with two older sisters and one older brother. Shelby is part of Felling Trailers’ Weekend Shift Weld Production Team as a Welder. “I wanted to get out into the industry and get into the field of welding, and Felling Trailers is where I wanted to do that,” said Shelby. After graduation, she wants to continue learning more about welding and different welding methods like tig welding. We asked Shelby what she has learned while working here that she will use in the future. She replied, “the way to think outside the box,” each scenario is different. Sometimes you need to think outside of the box to find the correct answer. In five years, Shelby sees herself having a full-time tig welding job.
“I wanted to get out into the industry and get into the field of welding, and Felling Trailers is where I wanted to do that.” – Shelby
Tyler Peters, Sauk Centre
Tyler Peters is the son of Jeff and Melanie Peters and is a graduating senior of Sauk Centre high school. Tyler has three sisters and loves to farm, fish, and hunt. He is part of Felling Trailers’ Weld Production Night Shift Team as a Welder. Tyler decided Felling was where he wanted to work after taking the Careers in the Community Welding class through school. “I took the careers class, and I really liked it,” said Tyler. We asked Tyler what he has learned while working here that he will use in the future, he replied, “teamwork and communication.” After graduation, Tyler plans to attend Ridgewater College in Wilmar for Ag Power & Equipment Technology. When asked where he sees himself in five years, he replied, “working for an Ag company, not exactly sure where, but hopefully close to home.”
To our 2021 graduates, we wish you the best; wherever your future takes you, may it be filled with greatness. Read about our 2020 graduates here.
“The most rewarding things in life are often the ones that look like they cannot be done.” —Arnold Palmer
Dream Big Graduates! Congratulations!
If you are interested in a career at Felling Trailers, whether full-time or just part-time during nights and weekends, Felling has the right job for you. Learn more about Careers at Felling Trailers here. Interested in learning how to weld? Felling Trailers’ Career Development and Weld Training Center starts with a review of the basics of welding and builds from there
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