Honoring Steve Cremer
This past Friday, hundreds of people gathered at the Harmony Golf Club to honor Steve Cremer, who retired on May 17th as CEO of Harmony Enterprises after thirty six years of dedicated service. Steve has been the face and vision of Harmony Enterprises, acting as Chief Financial Officer, President, and CEO. Steve is known for growing the Harmony Enterprises brand both in the U.S. and abroad, while supporting the economic growth and success of the City of Harmony and surrounding communities. Guests in attendance honoring Steve Cremer included family, friends, past and present employees of Harmony Enterprises and Harmony Kids Learning Center, community members, business and organizational partners, vendors, and customers.
In addition to food, cake, and refreshments, a video honoring Steve’s legacy played throughout the duration of the three hour open house event. Family members and friends joined business partners like Steve Riedel, current Corporate Relations Officer for Global Minnesota and formerly of the Minnesota Trade Office, in toasting Steve’s inestimable contribution to Harmony’s international success.
In a separate quote, Mr. Riedel stated, “For international and export growth, there is no greater small company success story in Minnesota than that of Harmony Enterprises. The prime mover of that success is Steve Cremer, who over many years actively and methodically built out the company’s global network of distributors and partners for the company’s products. Many times Steve traveled with other Minnesota businesses on organized trade missions, often led by the governor, to many countries around the world. Harmony was honored with a prestigious Governor’s international trade award, among many other honors.”
Chris Skaalen, President of First Southeast Bank of Harmony added, “It has been my privilege to know Steve, not only as a remarkable industry leader, an outstanding community servant but also as a friend. Steve has transformed the recycling industry through innovative products and by listening to his customers and providing them with what they require to be successful. His mark on this community and surrounding area will forever be felt as he has stepped up and provided resources and funding for a wide variety of programs. I will always consider Steve a close personal friend and wish him all the best in his retirement”
Chris Giesen, with our regional economic development office, CEDA, recalls several of the projects Steve Cremer was instrumental in making possible for our community.
“When it comes to making things happen in Harmony, Steve is always a key player. He never gets hung up on why something won’t work, instead he figures out how to make it happen. The growth of Harmony Enterprises and the Harmony community are direct results of Steve’s creative vision and drive for positive results. Here are a few projects that can be credited to one of Steve’s ideas:
Harmony Revolving Loan Fund: An expansion at Harmony Enterprises led by Steve and his voluntary participation in a state program resulted in a $100,000 grant to the City of Harmony in 1988 to establish a loan pool for other local small businesses. Since 1988 that $100,000 has turned into over $1.3 million in loans to 76 Harmony businesses to help with expansion or startup.
New Home Rebate Program: Steve served on the Harmony EDA for over a decade and one project he brought forward was the idea to create a local new home construction program to create more home inventory, especially for new construction. He helped create Harmony’s New Home Rebate program which provides a cash rebate of up to $20,000 for new construction. This program helped Harmony’s population growth, has created 23 new living units, $4.6 million in new tax base, and received national and international attention including interviews with The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Fortune magazine, and Bloomberg.
Harmony Kids Learning Center: With discussions about our then local child care shortage and how Harmony could possible grow without additional day care capacity, Steve and his wife Umbelina stepped up to the plate and made real investments in creating about 100 new local child care slots. And not just a day care center, a place where kids can go, learn, and grow so that their parents can live and work in Harmony and the region. It’s kind of fun to think that up to 10% of Harmony’s population is under Steve and Umbelina’s roof at Harmony Kids!
I can’t even count the number of times I’ve been at meetings in downtown Rochester with regional executives talking about economic development, and those executives bring up something “Steve Cremer did down in Harmony” and “we should be following his example.”
Harmony New Business Development Manager, Lane Powell offered a different perspective on what Steve has meant to Harmony and the many people he had relationships with. “I have had the unique experience of knowing and watching Steve through several different lenses. As a parent of a student, supporter of local arts projects, the person I bought my first home in Harmony from, an employee, member of Harmony’s leadership team, someone who has had the privilege of traveling abroad with Steve, neighbor, and most importantly friend. In every one of these roles, Steve has proven that he not only sees the best in people, but in all that is possible. His entrepreneurial spirit, vision, and ability to think outside of the box motivates everyone to find a way to be successful and share that success with others. I’m grateful for every opportunity afforded me by Steve and know that we are all better people for having had a personal or working relationship with him.”
And finally, Ramon Hernandez, the fourth generation President of Harmony Enterprises said, “Growing up, Harmony Enterprises has always been a part of my passion. Much of that was instilled by watching Steve. I learned from the best. Steve is the smartest guy I know. His business career is very impressive and his many community achievements are incredible. But what is not seen to the public is how much he truly does care for everyone and everything. He has a big heart that provides him extra motivation to think outside the box and find solutions. Steve’s legacy as a leader who cares deeply about the well-being and success of his employees and the community will continue to shape Harmony Enterprises for years to come.”
While these are just some of the tributes offered to recognize Steve’s contributions to our career, community, culture, and company, we know that his legacy will last long into the future. Steve plans to take more time for himself and his new dog, but will still be in and around the office to share his insights.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to send their words of congratulations or who came to Steve’s retirement open house this past Friday.
And, thank you, Steve, for your leadership, vision, guidance, and love of all things Harmony! We are all better for have had worked with you! Best wishes for a happy retirement!
