Editor’s Note: Bob Sinclair gave the commencement address at the Indian Hills Community College last week in Ottumwa, Iowa. Farm Equipment watched the video and requested a copy of the speech to share with other dealers.

You Did It! Each of you is a winner. Each of you is a grinder. You ground through all obstacles these past few years and are sitting here today as a graduate. 

Graduating college is a milestone in your life. This Chapter is done and a new one starts tomorrow. 

This was your focus and now it is your past. Look around the room and take a good look at your classmates and instructors – you won’t see most of them again. The Indian Hills Chapter of your life is completed and you won’t be able to recreate those wonderful times on campus. It is easy to feel sad about the past leaving and to be scared about the uncertainty of the future. I personally cried like a baby at my graduation.

But believe in yourself and know that the next chapter of your life will be even better. You have proven that you can adapt/overcome and conquer. And when you take that winning attitude and the skills you learned here – you will be UNSTOPPABLE!

“Knowing who you are will help you when it's time to fight. Fight for the job you want, fight for the people who mean the most to you and fight for the kind of world you want to live in…”

I would like to share a few words of wisdom and encouragement I have found over the years that have been foundation items for my success.

First, I’d like to talk about hard work:

My Dad says you are truly blessed if you have your faith, your family and fistful of friends:

Because In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

Graduates, knowing who you are will help you when it's time to fight. Fight for the job you want, fight for the people who mean the most to you and fight for the kind of world you want to live in. Knowing who you are will help when people say that's impossible or you can't do that. If you take the unexpected opportunities when they come up, if you know yourself, and if you fight for what you believe in, I can promise that you will live a life full of Satisfaction that is rich with meaning.

Bob grew up on a family farm in Melrose, graduated from Albia High School, and received an Engineering Degree from the University of Iowa. After an Internship in Eddyville, he joined Cargill full time, working in their corn and rice milling operations. After 8 years of night school in Tennessee, Mississippi and Ohio, he received an MBA from the University of Dayton.

Bob left Cargill and founded Sinclair Tractor in 1998. The company evolved beyond its John Deere dealership roots, became a Napa Auto Parts dealer, created a computer repair business, founded an agronomic consulting company and most recently added a supply business serving butchers, repair shops, offices and restaurants. Today Sinclair Tractor has 16 Locations in southeast Iowa.

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