Recognized expert on custom showers was a 37-year employee

Green Bay, Wis. – Randy Krause, a 37-year employee of H.J. Martin and Son, retired from the company on Dec. 31, 2015.  Vice president of builder sales since 2001, he worked with area builders, designers and architects throughout his career.  Krause also has been a recognized expert on custom showers.

Krause first joined H.J. Martin in 1979 as a builder salesman.  Over the ensuing three-plus decades, he has seen the company grow from a carpet warehouse to an organization which can install and service any type of product.

“We can’t thank Randy enough for his dedicated service to the customers of H.J. Martin,” says Edward Martin, president and CEO.  “It is special people like Randy who have helped to make this company what it is today.  We’ll miss his great sense of humor and the strong relationships he’s built, both inside and outside our building.”

In all, Krause spent 45 years in the industry.  He started at the age of 16, working part-time at Super Tile and Carpet Center in Green Bay throughout high school and college.  A 1977 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Krause went to work locally at Floor Fashions out of college.  He became part of the H.J. Martin team when the company acquired Floor Fashions.

Krause, 61, plans to spend retirement at two vacation properties he owns with his wife, Debbie, in northern Wisconsin, including a log cabin on 80 acres in Pembine.

A retirement party was held in honor of Krause Jan. 7 at The Rock Garden in Green Bay.

“H.J. Martin and Son has been wonderful to me and my family,” says Krause.  “They value their people beyond what most companies do, which has made working for the Martin family so enjoyable and rewarding.”

Tyler Priewe, who was hired by H.J. Martin in 2015 as residential project manager/builder sales, has transitioned into many of Krause’s past responsibilities after several months of working with him.