Happy retirement, Donnie Black!

After a 15-year career at STOBER Drives, Donnie Black is officially stepping into retirement as of May 29—closing a chapter defined by technical expertise, customer support, and a deep commitment to problem-solving.

During his time at STOBER, Donnie built his career around excelling as a product specialist in inside sales. While his coworkers and desk location may have varied throughout the years, one thing remained consistent: Donnie’s passion for helping customers find the right solution. Whether working through technical challenges or finding ways to deliver gearboxes quickly, Donnie approached every situation with a solutions-first mindset.

“What I enjoyed most was helping people solve problems,” Donnie shared. “There are always different ways to approach an issue, and I liked figuring out the best path forward.”

Before joining STOBER, Donnie served as a contractor for the U.S. Army, where he trained soldiers—an experience that shaped his ability to communicate clearly, guide others, and stay focused under pressure.

When reflecting on his time at STOBER, Donnie points to the people and the culture as the things he enjoyed the most and made the greatest impact.

“The people and the culture here are what make it special,” he said.

That perspective extends into the advice he shares with employees just starting their journey.

“Be patient. STOBER is a good company if you embrace it,” Donnie said. “If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, there are always opportunities to make a change—and the benefits are good.”

While Donnie is retiring, he won’t be going too far just yet. He plans to return on a part-time basis to support the team during an upcoming maternity leave—continuing to lend his experience and knowledge where it’s needed most.

In retirement, Donnie is looking forward to spending more time with family and diving into personal projects. His plans include remodeling his daughter’s house, traveling to Florida in the fall and Costa Rica in the spring, and enjoying time with his six grandchildren.

From solving customer challenges to supporting teammates, Donnie has made a lasting impact over the past 15 years. We thank him for his contributions and wish him all the best in this next chapter.  We wish him well in his retirement and thank him for his years of service!