Owners
Sandy and Dan Schmidt
Outside Account Representatives
Steve Wesner
Mike Ross
Tim Schmidt
Michael Hamerlind
Greg Robberstad
Customer Service
Operations Manager
Warehouse and Delivery Personnel
Daniel Kelly
Ken Arntzen
Dave Schmidt
Sandy Schmidt - Owner/President
I, together with my husband Dan, took over the business in 1994. While Dan is the "people" person, my gift is organizing our business and analyzing our financials. Growing up in a family owned business, it seemed quite natural to work with my husband. Great River Office Products original owners, Bill & Ardy Harris, were great examples of how family can work together and still enjoy each other!
Dan and I have been married for close to 30 years. With 3 adult children and 3 grandchildren, we keep busy.
When I am not busy running our business, I enjoy performing in musicals with the local community theater, playing the piano, biking, long walks and swimming.
Since 1998, I have made numerous trips to Northern Thailand to work with an Adopt-A-Teen program, which have been richly rewarding and an opportunity to give back to the global community that we’re all a part of!
My favorite State Fair Food: Turkey Drumsticks
Dan Schmidt - Sales/Vice President
I know it’s hard to believe, but I have worked at Great River Office Products for over 32 years! I was given the opportunity and started in the warehouse at 18 and through hard work and dedication, earned a job in sales at the age of 20. As I’ve watched the industry change over 3 decades, I have never forgotten the fundamentals of service and still enjoy coming to work each morning!
When I’m not helping our company grow and looking for new business, I enjoy fishing, hunting and Wahoo. I am also very active in our faith community and many other volunteer ventures, including the role of chairman on our local food shelf.
I have often said, “you think you can’t love anyone more than your wife and children. Then you have grandkids and a whole world opens up new to you with even more love!"
I would like healthcare to become affordable for every family, so I work closely with the Minnesota Chamber’s Healthcare Task Force, along with their Small Business Committee.
My favorite State Fair Food: Tom Thumb Mini Donuts
Jim Fitzgerald - Operations Manager/Network Administrator
I have been affiliated with Great River Office Products for over 20 years and started working here in March of 2002. As Operations Manager, I actually oversee all areas of the company. I get to work with many of our customers, vendors and all of our staff. My main focus for over 20 years has been in the finance and IT side of business. So, when the time comes for you to have an A/R, A/P issue or needing that special report, I’ll be glad to help you out!
Some of you may have received an email from me and have seen the bible verse and a quote under my signature. I truly believe both of these:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men.” - Colossians 3:23
“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to become a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent. In the end, leaders are much like eagles . . . they don’t flock, you find them one at a time.”
I am just like most Minnesotans. I love the changes of the seasons and enjoy heading north to fish, hunt, or just relax. I have been happily married for 2 years and have two wonderful sons that keep me young.
Favorite State Fair food: French Fries (by the Giant Slide) and Tom Thumb Mini Donuts
Steve Wesner - Sales
I have over 3 decades of experience in the office supply industry (started at age 12)! After 30 years, I still enjoy the office products Industry and still learn something new every day. I love making my customer’s day easier by helping them solve problems and making their procurement process run as effortlessly as possible, all while being cost effective and offering accountability.
Furniture projects and space planning are something I really enjoy and I can be a very good resource. This is truly a product category where experience is absolutely invaluable!
My greatest accomplishment in life has been being married to my wife of 30 years and having 3 wonderful kids and 3 grandchildren.
When I’m not sharing my expertise on pens and file folders, I love spending my leisure time perfecting my bowling “craft” and I have had a 300 game. I also enjoy golf (which I’m terrible at) and fishing. I love all sports but I really love our Vikings.
Favorite State Fair Food: The Beer Garden
Mike Ross - Sales
With just over 1 year under my belt as an office supply guy, I made the transition from classroom (former teacher) to supply guru and I love it! What do I bring to the table? I say what I mean and then do it. I run hard and aim to please my customers to give them the best service possible.
I grew up in St. Cloud and graduated from Tech High School. My college journey started at UMD and ended at Bethel University where I finished my undergrad!
While I love paper clips and mailing labels, I truly love my family! I am married to Cheri, my wonderful wife of 10 years, and we have 3 boys; Caden (5), Carson (3) and Avery (1), with a new Little Ross on the way around Christmas this year!
When I’m not helping my customers get excited about the newest pen on the market, I am an outdoor sports enthusiast, risking my personal well being mountain biking, playing beach volleyball, and rock climbing. Of course, as a local guy, my favorite sports moment was the Minnesota Twins winning Game 7 of the 1991 World Series!
Favorite State Fair Food: The Walleye Sandwich near the Lumberjack station
Tim Schmidt - Sales
I am the newest addition to an already stellar sales team at Great River Office Products. Though brand new to the office supply world, my previous business experiences have always centered around building trust and developing relationships the right way. By working with our seasoned sales force and implementing some of their best practices, I am energized with the endless possibilities our local family owned business brings to the marketplace and what this Twin Cities business community. I’m excited to meet new people, make new relationships, and above all, serve our customers.
Even though I consider myself to be an extrovert, I do enjoy my quiet time when it’s just me writing music, playing guitar, bass guitar or piano. Music has been a very big part of my life for about 10 years and it always will be. I also play bass guitar in my worship band on Saturday nights.
I'm a true Minnesotan: Go Vikings! Go Twins! Go Wild! I’m a homer! What can I say?
Favorite State Fair Food: There’s nothing better than Cheese Curds.
Michael Hamerlind - Creative Marketing Consultant
As a former sales representative at Great River Office Products, it was important to me to continue a partnership with Dan and Sandy to help them grow their business. While any number of outside marketing firms could manage a strategic marketing plan for Great River, they felt it was important to find someone who understood the heart and soul of what makes their business tick. As a former employee and freelance graphic designer, it was a perfect fit. My new consulting role centers on building strategic game plans and custom print marketing pieces that remain consistent with Great River's branding and core values.
Greg Robberstad - Sales
I bring to the table over 13 years experience in the office supply industry and have played many roles within the business, from the warehouse and delivery, to inside sales and account management.
When I’m not thinking about legal pads and toner, I enjoy spending time with family. My wife Mary and I live in Andover with our 4 kids; Rachel, Ella, and Nathan, who are 6 year old triplets, and our 4 year old son Ben. We also have a new puppy Chloe, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. In my “free time” (what’s that?), I enjoy golf, fishing, and following the Minnesota Wild!
I am a local Twin Cities native and grew up in Coon Rapids. As a true Minnesotan, my favorite Minnesota sports moment was the 1991 World Series. I was working as an usher at the Metrodome at the time and worked all 4 games of the series and even caught a foul ball in game 7!
My favorite State Fair food: The French Fries.
Dayna Gardner - Customer Service
As I approach nearly a decade of experience in the office supply industry and over 20 years of experience in customer service, I think to myself, “Wow I definitely don’t feel that old!”
I love my job here at Great River Office Products after coming from one of the “big box” companies! I enjoy helping our customers and the variety of never knowing what the new day will bring. Most of all, I love finding solutions, weather it is finding that elusive toner cartridge or figuring out what is going to work best for that special project. I challenge you to put me to the test!
I am married to my wonderful husband, Larry, and we have two dog children; Roxanne the Black Lab/Rottweiler cross who is 9 and Buster the German Shepherd/Yellow lab who is 2 and is a big brown snuggle bunny. We live on the east side of St Paul and love that we can get just about any kind of food you can imagine delivered to our front door!
I enjoy painting, playing in the hand bell choir at church and playing with my family.
My favorite State Fair Food: Foot Long Hot Dog (usually at 7:00 a.m. for breakfast!)
Daniel Kelly - Warehouse Manager/Driver
I’ve been working for Great River Office Products since 1990 and have developed countless customer relationships in those 19 years! I absolutely enjoy taking care of our customers, especially when we can go above and beyond what is expected!
When I’m not delighting our customers, I like to cook and take care of my family, a wife and 3 girls. I am currently perfecting homemade breads and pastas!
Like any true Minnesotan, I enjoy going “up north” to the cabin!
I graduated from St. Thomas Academy too long ago, as well as the University of Minnesota.
Favorite State Fair Food: Tom Thumb Mini Donuts
Dave Schmidt - Driver
I am one of the drivers at Great River Office Products and have worked for Great River Office Products for 4 ½ years. As an “ambassador” to the company (since I see our customers more often than our sales folks!), I always try to be as helpful to my customers as I can. If I don’t know the answer to a question, I will do my best to find the answer and work closely with our sales staff to exceed our customer’s expectations!
I love to joke around with my customers and value getting to know each of our accounts on that personal level; it always makes my day more enjoyable when my customers are smiling. If you see me around, feel free to say hello and share a joke or two!
When I’m not canvassing the Twin Cities metro, I enjoy fishing, hunting, sports, and spending time with my 4 year old.
Favorite State Fair Food: Cheese Curds
Ken Arntzen - Driver
I’m one of the drivers for St. Paul and the eastern suburbs and have been working at Great River Office Products since April of 2003. I’m old enough to know better but too young to care and am the joker of the group, which is saying a lot! I love my interactions with my customers and look forward to bringing up a package or two for your signature!
I’m married and have one son who is an Eagle Scout and just graduated with honors.
I like LOUD motorcycles, FAST cars and HOCKEY! Even though I ride quite a bit, I am not a fan of summer too much; anything over 60 degrees is too hot for me! I’m the wild and crazy one here at Great River Office Products. Did I mention that I like HOCKEY!
Favorite State Fair Food: The Walleye Sandwich
