Hank Wagner Recognized with Second Annual Dean Strauss Leadership Award

 

Hank Wagner was honored as the second recipient of the Dean Strauss Leadership Award at the Professional Dairy Producers^® (PDPW) Business Conference on March 17 in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. Wagner is a fourth-generation dairy farmer and president of Wagner Farms, Inc. in Oconto Falls, Wis., as well as an author, speaker and business coach.

“Hank is a true example of a servant leader – the epitome of all the Dean Strauss Leadership Awards stands for,” said Shelly Mayer, PDPW executive director. “Hank lives his life to serve others and help them understand they have value and can achieve whatever they purpose to do.”

Wagner and his wife, Pam, own Wagner Farms, Inc., near Oconto Falls, Wis. The multi-generational family business has included both their fathers, Tony Wagner and Norman Olson, and currently includes Hank and Pam’s children, Shawn Wagner and Laura Raatz. Laura’s husband Tyler Raatz is also a co-owner.

Wagner is a passionate advocate of lifelong-learning and giving back to others. He’s been involved in many organizations and has served in several leadership positions, including leading as PDPW board president. The founder of Wagner Leadership Training, he is a speaker, coach and regular podcast contributor. In

addition to having written leadership articles for a number of print publications, he has authored two books. “Teachable Moments – Lessons from Africa,” documents his experiences and lessons learned while serving on a missions trip in Togo, Africa. His most recent book, “Simple Miracles,” offers strategies for learning and growing from more than 50 specific life experiences. The book was co-written with his daughter Laura and published in November 2021.

The Dean Strauss Leadership Award was established by the PDPW Board of Directors in 2021 in honor of Dean Strauss, a Wisconsin dairy farmer and industry leader who unexpectedly passed away in 2019 at the age of 48. The owner of Majestic Meadows Dairy, LLC, near Sheboygan Falls, Wis., Strauss was active in a number of dairy organizations and leadership boards, including PDPW’s board, on which he served as president.

The 2022 PDPW Business Conference was held by Professional Dairy Producers® (PDPW) and occurred March 16-17, 2022, at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. Dairy producers gathered for professional development and networking with fellow producers and other industry professionals. More highlights from the conference are available at www.pdpw.org. PDPW is a dairy-producer-founded organization that provides educational programs and services to dairy producers and other industry professionals.