Nate Vollmer was born and raised in Southeastern Wisconsin, where he began his career in the grocery industry at a young age, bagging and stocking groceries for Sentry Foods. As Nate pursued his degrees in Biology and Wildlife Management and Ecology at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, he got a job working for the local grocery store, Trig’s. He worked in various departments of the store during his college years and was presented an opportunity to begin a career with the company as an HR Manager at one of the stores. This was the start of path which led him to hold additional roles in the company including Assistant Store Director, HR Coordinator and finally Director of Human Resources. Each leadership position he held afforded him growth, industry knowledge and interpersonal experiences that resulted in a wonderful 15-year career with the same amazing family-owned grocery operator in the Wisconsin Northwoods.
Nate has a passion for people, development, training, leadership, teamwork, promoting from within, and communication. This has served him and others well as he has grown to oversee HR functions at the company’s 5 grocery stores, hardware store, coffee shops, consignment store, Postal Express locations, salon, Smokehouse, air charter company, and other T.A. Solberg company-owned business entities.
During his tenure with T.A. Solberg Co., Nate has also grown personally. He started a family with his wonderful wife Meredith, three daughters and one son. When Nate isn’t working, he enjoys everything Wisconsin Sports, especially Packers and Brewers! He loves camping, fishing, running and tending the grill at barbeques.
With the rapid pace at which life, and the industry changes, Nate believes it is important to remember several truths that will transcend any challenges companies face with the current labor market and generational shifts:
Obstacles are not detours, they are a part of the journey!
Find the fun in everything you do!
Your team is your greatest asset in the guest service industry!
You can’t win the bidding war, but you can win the people war with effective leadership and coaching!