Sanders named new Tractor Supply store manager

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — The soon-to-be opened Tractor Supply Company in Houlton has turned to one of the town’s own to serve as store manager.
    Roy Sanders was chosen to lead the new store when it opens for business at 337 North St. in October. Sanders first joined Tractor Supply this year as a manager-in-training at the Houlton location. Prior to joining Tractor Supply, he was a state park ranger at Peaks-Kenny State Park in Dover-Foxcroft.  He also was a federal law enforcement ranger for the National Park Service.  Most recently, Sanders was the assistant store manager for Sears.
     “Being a native of the region, Roy is familiar with the landscape and the lifestyle people live here in Houlton,” said District Manager Brian Parker. “He has put together a knowledgeable and well-balanced team. They will be huge assets to our store.”
    Tractor Supply Company is the largest retail farm and ranch supply store chain in the United States and has been operating in Maine since 2007. As store manager, Sanders will oversee all store operations, including receiving, inventory control and merchandising, as well as customer and team member relations. 
    Recently, the Houlton Town Council commented on the progress of the North Road business. The town received a glowing letter of appreciation from DMK Development, the group in charge of building the Tractor Supply store.
    In the letter written by Chris and Don Kettler of DMK Development, the two wrote that “This is our eighth TSC store we have built in Maine and his has been the smoothest experience to date. From our very first meeting we attended with Wade Hanson, Jon McLaughlin and [Town Manager Doug Hazlett] to the utility extension, all the way through the most current issue, the amendment in the Subdivision. Everyone involved in the process, including Kevin Tingley and the Planning Board, have been very good to work with.
    “That is refreshing in our profession as it seems many municipalities these days don’t care whether additional jobs are created or tax base is generated.”
    Councilor Sue Tortello expounded on the letter during an Aug. 22 council meeting.
    “So many times folks work really hard and they never get the ‘ata boy’ they deserve,” Tortello said. “So thank you all for that. Secondly, and more significant, this is a real change in the town’s reputation that we have been working awfully hard with the last five years to try to change – that Houlton is a town that is moving forward in job creation and economic development. Houlton is indeed, open for business and this letter is proof in the pudding that we finally turned that big ship around.”
    Council Chairman Walter Goodrich echoed those sentiments.
    “That letter was just wonderful to see,” said Goodrich. “But, it is not an isolated incident. We have had two other major developers in the last couple of years who have made some major investments in this town and we’ve heard the exact same comments from them. So, this is not just a one-time event. This has been going on for quite awhile and we’ve developed quite a team. They are doing a fabulous job. I am excited to see the team working so well and we are finally getting results.”