Loftness Specialized Equipment announces the appointment of Shannon McComas as Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this role, McComas will oversee day-to-day operations, drive strategic growth initiatives, and continue strengthening the company’s commitment to operational excellence and customer satisfaction. He will work closely with executive leadership to advance the company’s long-term strategic plan and support continued innovation across Loftness’ diverse product lines.

Since joining Loftness in 2024, McComas most recently served as Vice President of Sales & Marketing, where he played a pivotal role in strengthening dealer relationships, expanding market presence, and leading the company through a period of considerable growth. This leadership has been instrumental in positioning Loftness for continued success across its agricultural and vegetation management equipment lines.

With his extensive experience in sales leadership, business development, and enterprise operations, McComas brings a balanced perspective that integrates market demand with operational execution. His continued oversight of sales and marketing ensures alignment between customer needs, product innovation, and production capabilities.

“Shannon is a proven leader that has a deep understanding of sales and operations with a track record of success,” said Josh South, CEO of Loftness. “His expanded role as COO reflects the confidence we have in his ability to guide the company into its next phase of growth, and we are excited to promote him into this key leadership position.”

McComas echoed enthusiasm for his future role. “Loftness has built an outstanding reputation for quality, innovation and customer support,” he said. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with our dealers and customers while strengthening our operational capabilities to support long-term growth.”

Loftness Specialized Equipment, an employee-owned company, is a leading manufacturer of innovative agricultural and vegetation management equipment, providing high-performance solutions for farmers, land managers, and industry professionals. Based in Hector, MN, the company offers a diverse range of products, including crop residue management tools, grain bagging systems, precision application equipment, forestry mulchers, and vegetation control solutions such as land-clearing attachments and right-of-way maintenance tools. Loftness is dedicated to delivering durable, high-quality solutions that enhance productivity and efficiency in the field.

For information on Loftness’ complete product line, visit , email info@loftness.com, or call 800-828-7624 (U.S. and Canada) or 320-848-6266 (international).

| Member since 1980

Member company, Loftness Specialized Equipment, announces the appointment of Ashley Lathrum to the position of Integrated Marketing Manager. This addition to the team reflects Loftness’ focus on further developing its brand presence and supporting growth within the agricultural and vegetation management equipment markets.

Ashley brings significant B2B marketing experience within the manufacturing sector, most recently as Director of Marketing for Cemen Tech. In that role, she oversaw the company’s global marketing strategy and its execution across all segments. Her prior experience includes 10 years at John Deere Power Systems, where she led integrated marketing campaigns, established new digital platforms, and significantly increased media placements.

In her new role at Loftness, Ashley will be responsible for developing and executing marketing strategies focused on increasing dealer participation and end-user adoption. Her core duties involve market analysis, dealer support and resource development, trade show and event management, sales team collaboration, creation of dealer-centric promotions, and leadership of new product launches. She will also oversee Loftness’ digital presence and analyze marketing performance to maximize return on investment.

“Ashley’s background in developing and executing impactful marketing strategies within relevant industries makes her an ideal fit for this role,” said Shannon McComas, Vice President, Sales & Marketing of Loftness Specialized Equipment. “Her proven ability to drive results through dealer engagement and strategic marketing initiatives will be a significant asset to our team.”

Regarding her new position, Lathrum stated, “I look forward to applying my experience to develop and implement marketing strategies at Loftness that will support dealers, contribute to brand growth, and increase the adoption of the company’s equipment within the agricultural and vegetation management sectors.

Ashley’s appointment reflects Loftness’ ongoing commitment to investing in talent and strengthening its marketing capabilities to support its expanding dealer network and product offerings.

Loftness Specialized Equipment is a leading manufacturer of innovative agricultural and vegetation management equipment, providing high-performance solutions for farmers, land managers, and industry professionals. Based in Hector, MN, the company offers a diverse range of products, including crop residue management tools, grain bagging systems, precision application equipment, forestry mulchers, and vegetation control solutions such as land-clearing attachments and right-of-way maintenance tools. Loftness is dedicated to delivering durable, high-quality solutions that enhance productivity and efficiency in the field.

| Member since 1980

Loftness Specialized Equipment is pleased to announce the appointment of Shannon McComas to Vice President of Sales & Marketing. Previously serving as Director of Sales, Shannon will now lead the company’s sales and marketing initiatives, focusing on driving growth and expanding Loftness’ presence in key markets. In this new role, McComas will also share leadership of the engineering and R&D departments alongside Sarah Lamers, who was promoted to Director of Operations in February.

“We are excited to elevate Shannon to this important leadership role,” said Josh South, CEO of Loftness Specialized Equipment. “His experience and strategic vision have already contributed significantly to our success, and we look forward to seeing his impact in this expanded capacity.”

Loftness is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Lamers as Director of Operations. Sarah stepped into the role in February and now oversees the company’s daily manufacturing and procurement operations. She will also share leadership of the engineering and R&D departments alongside Shannon McComas, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

“We are excited to welcome Sarah to this key leadership role,” said Josh South, CEO of Loftness. “Her diverse experience in both operations and engineering, along with her track record of driving efficiency and innovation, makes her an outstanding fit for our Director of Operations. We are confident she will help strengthen our manufacturing capabilities and support Loftness’ continued growth.”

| Member since 1980

Josh brings a wealth of financial and strategic leadership experience to Loftness, having served as the company’s Chief Financial Officer since November 2023. With an extensive background in financial management, cost accounting, and business expansion within the manufacturing andindustrial sectors, Josh is well-positioned to drive Loftness toward continued growth andinnovation.

Prior to joining Loftness, Josh held several executive leadership roles, including serving as CFO of Farmers Union Industries, LLC, where he played a key role in the company’s organic expansion, acquisitions, and strategic pricing negotiations. His expertise in financial planning, risk management, and operational efficiency has made him a trusted leader in the industry.

“I am honored to take on the role of CEO at Loftness Specialized Equipment,” said South.

“Loftness has a strong legacy of innovation and excellence in the agricultural and industrial equipment market. I look forward to working with our talented team to build on this foundation.”

As CEO, Josh will lead the management team at Loftness consisting of Sarah Lamers, Director of Operations; Shannon McComas, Director of Sales & Marketing; and Kimberly Karg, Human Resources Manager. This team’s focus will be on expanding its market presence, optimizing operational processes, and ensuring the continued development of high-quality products that meet the evolving needs of customers.

Loftness Specialized Equipment has been a trusted name in the industry for decades, known for its commitment to quality, durability, and innovation. Under Josh’s leadership, the company aims to further strengthen its position as a market leader while exploring new opportunities for growth.

Loftness Specialized Equipment is a leading manufacturer of innovative agricultural and vegetation management equipment, providing high-performance solutions for farmers, land managers, and industry professionals. Based in Hector, MN, the company offers a diverse range of products, including crop residue management tools, grain bagging systems, precision application equipment, forestry mulchers, and vegetation control solutions such as land-clearing attachments and right-of-way maintenance tools. Loftness is dedicated to delivering durable, high-quality solutions that enhance productivity and efficiency in the field.

For information on Loftness’ complete product line, visit , Emailinfo@Loftness.com, or call 800-828-7624 (U.S. and Canada) or 320-848-6266 (international).

| Member since 1980

“Our employees, as well as the entire community of Hector, mean very much to us, so we’re excited to present them with this new opportunity to take ownership in the company,” said Gloria Nelson, president and CFO of Loftness.

Loftness Manufacturing was founded by Dick Loftness, a farmer from Hector, and initially produced a line of snow blowers. In 1979, Loftness sold the company to another local farmer, Marv Nelson, who helped expand the business into other product lines.

After Nelson’s death, ownership of the company was split among family members.

Source: West Central Tribune | Member since 1980 |