RINARD — On Thursday, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, honored Hildreth Co. Inc. of Rockwell City with a prestigious small business award. The presentation took place on a job site east of Rinard, where Hildreth Company employees were collaborating with linemen from the Calhoun County Electric Cooperative Association to bury power lines on property owned by Kurt Vermazen.
Senator Ernst praised the company for its family-oriented leadership and commitment to the community, stating, “With three generations of family leadership, this company exemplifies what it means to be family-owned and operated. For 70 years, the Hildreth family has provided essential excavation services in Calhoun County and has worked hard to give back to their community and our nation’s veterans.”
Throughout her time in Congress, Ernst has recognized a small business in each of Iowa’s 99 counties. Earlier this year, she named Hildreth Company as her Small Business of the Week for Calhoun County.
Ernst expressed her appreciation for meeting with diverse small business owners across Iowa, emphasizing their crucial role in the economy. “Small businesses, from farms to dental clinics to companies like Hildreth Co., are essential to Iowa and America’s economy,” she said. “The owners and employees of these small businesses also give back to their communities in countless ways.”
Celebrating 70 Years of Service
Hildreth Company is commemorating 70 years of business in 2024. Founded in 1954 by the late Martin Hildreth, the company originally operated under the name Martin Hildreth Company, providing excavation contracting services in Rockwell City and its surrounding areas. After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, Martin began his career in the petroleum industry alongside his father, Ben, before launching his own business.
In 1990, Martin’s son, Tom, joined the company full-time, followed by his wife, Theresa, in 2009, who currently serves as the chief financial officer. The Hildreth Company has maintained its headquarters on High Street in Rockwell City since its inception, specializing in excavation services for the telecommunications and utility industries, as well as gravedigging for cemeteries throughout Calhoun County and beyond.
David Hildreth, Tom and Theresa’s son, is the vice president and represents the third generation of the family business. He began working part-time at the company at age 14 and plans to take over the business when his father retires. David’s son, Collin, is set to be the fourth generation to join the family legacy.
Commitment to Community and Service
In addition to their excavation services, the Hildreth family has a long history of community involvement in Rockwell City and Calhoun County. Tom Hildreth, before joining the company, coached wrestling at both the high school and middle school levels and was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Service to the nation is integral to the Hildreth family. Three of Tom and Theresa’s children, including David, who is retired from the Iowa Air National Guard, have served in the military. Hildreth Company has been recognized with the ESGR Patriot Award for its support of employees serving in the armed forces.
Theresa Hildreth also plays a key role in supporting rural economic development as the executive director of the Calhoun County Economic Development Corporation. In January 2024, she testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship in Washington, D.C., addressing succession planning and challenges faced by family-owned businesses.
During her testimony, she highlighted a 2024 bipartisan report from the National Governors Association, which underscored the need for public-private partnerships to foster rural economic development. “Addressing succession planning challenges requires an understanding of the complexities individual businesses face, as well as the interconnectedness of the rural economy with national issues,” she stated. “Through ongoing conversations, collaborative efforts, and supportive policies, we can build a more resilient, sustainable future for rural communities and enhance business succession planning for generations to come.”
Senator Ernst supports these initiatives, valuing the opportunity to hear directly from small business owners in Iowa. She emphasized the importance of sharing these perspectives in Congress to ensure that Iowans’ voices are heard at the national level. “I commend the Hildreth family for achieving their American dream and operating a fantastic small business,” Ernst said. “Congratulations to the entire team on their incredible commitment to our communities. I look forward to seeing your continued growth and success in Iowa.”
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