Wednesday, January 02, 2013

Arlin Sorensen Announces Sale of Heart Technology Solutions!

Wow. The New Year begins with a bang.

I just got a note from my friend Arlin Sorensen - Famed for the HTS company and HTG (Heartland Technology Groups). Arlin is officially OUT and a new owner is IN at HTS. This deal was finalized last year  and announced today.

Congratulations to Arlin and Nancy (and their amazing team) for putting together such a great model company in the small business space. Arlin remains an inspiration to me and many others in our community.

Of course he's not retiring. But cutting back to only 40 employees will make for a much more relaxed year in 2013. LOL



Here is Arlin's announcement:


Based on the recent events this week, I opted to hold off sending out our 2012 Christmas email which has been my habit for a number of years.  It is enclosed below, but I decided to wait and send this to announce a significant change in my world as of 12-31-12.  There is a new sheriff in town, or more accurately a new owner of HTS.  Effective the end of 2012, WestTel Systems purchased HTS from us and is now running that company.  They have purchased all the assets and are now directing HTS as a DBA of Western Iowa Technology LLC.  So my world looks a bit different in 2013.  I have been retained to advise and help with the transition, but my role as CEO has come to an end and now my focus can become more directed at HTG, HLG, HTS Ag and Varvid in the new year.  I will continue to be involved in leading those organizations and continue ownership in each. 

 

You can read the press release here that has some of the details.  The headquarters remains here on the farm for the time being, Connie Arentson will continue to lead as President, and there are a handful employees that are remaining with me at SCCI (parent company to HTS) to provide needed services to the other Heartland companies.  We will still have almost 40 staff across those four companies, so it isn’t like my bride and I will grow lonely here on the farm.  But less of them will be local to our office here, and definitely a large component of our risk portfolio has been removed through the sale.  So I am excited about the future and what it holds.  We will be extremely busy during the transition to assure success and as little disruption as possible. 

 

Thanks for allowing me to be a small part of your world these past 27 years in the industry.  I’m not going anywhere – just giving up one hat so I can focus on wearing some others more regularly.  You’ll still see me around industry events and working to serve MSP’s and VAR’s like I have for a long time.  But hopefully I won’t be quite as stressed and pressured with one less responsibility on my plate.  I hope you enjoy our Christmas letter.  It has been a very blessed year, and the events of wrapping up the year are just another touch of God’s blessing on our patch.



I am looking forward to a great 2013!

I hope you are too.

And I look forward to all the new things we can expect from HTG and the other "HT Properties."

:-)
 

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous3:39 AM

    This will be deleted I'm sure.. Reading about this and his lasting legacy on the HTG page makes me sick. HTS failed, Small business that were strong up until HTS ownership have failed.. Many HTS employee's failed due to poor management/ownership. Many employees have moved on while many no longer have employment right now.. Yet, somehow this man can paint a different picture.. He can talk the talk like a business man but fails to back it up. Still talking like he's a CEO and Mr. Businessman which he will always have success.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm not sure why you think this would be deleted. I do have to say: Your comment is a bit like a hit-and-run. It is anonymous and not really constructive.

    I can't speak for anyone else, but every interaction I've had with Arlin has been positive and my association with him and HTG has been good for my business.

    ReplyDelete

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