Steve Cremer, CEO, Retiring From Harmony
Harmony Enterprises long-time CEO, Steve Cremer, has announced his plans to retire from Harmony Enterprises on May 17, 2024. A third generation owner of Harmony Enterprises, Steve has helped to establish Harmony as a global leader in waste, recycling, and sustainability.
In April 1988, Steve Cremer, grandson of Al Cremer, was hired as Chief Financial Officer of the company. Steve had previously been employed by a petroleum company in Houston, TX. In January of 1990, Steve Cremer was named as President and his father, Don Cremer became CEO. Both gentlemen continued to serve in these respective positions until 2004, when Steve assumed ownership and Chief Executive Officer duties of the company.
Throughout his tenure, Steve has demonstrated professionalism, leadership, and has lived Harmony’s core values, consistently working to improve our career, community, culture, and company.
A Legacy of Love
Steve’s legacy with Harmony Enterprises, the Harmony community, the regional economy, and Minnesota manufacturing is one of innovation, vision, and compassion.
Harmony Enterprises owes its participation in the global marketplace to the vision of Steve Cremer. The first international sale came in 1989 as a result of a Taiwanese trade show Steve worked, resulting in sales of recycling balers on the Asian continent. With some help from the Minnesota Trade Office, Steve participated in several Trade missions to India and other countries and grew Harmony’s global presence.
In the late 2000’s Steve made a connection and built a relationship with Cypress in Toulouse, France, a sustainability sales & technical organization founded in 1997. Harmony acquired it in 2011 and still operates it today with a staff of 11 people.
His vision didn’t stop there. In 2015, he and his wife, Umbelina realized the challenges facing our Harmony community in the area of childcare and how that could impact not only Harmony Enterprises, but other vital businesses and families in our area. Being the innovative entrepreneurs they are, they worked with community leaders to create Harmony Kids Learning Center adjacent to Harmony Enterprises. The daycare has not only provided discounted care for our own employees, it has served our greater community and has earned the coveted Parent Aware 4 Star Rating.
Not only did Steve work to overcome the challenges of childcare, for several years, he and his daughter Bria worked to add new housing to the Harmony Area with their Hammel House project.
A Career of Giving and Service
Steve has led by example, serving his greater community and giving to local charities. Some of the organizations that Mr. Cremer has served include the Harmony EDA, Enterprises MN, and the Rochester Area Economic Development group.
He has financially supported a wide variety of arts and civic groups, including, but not limited to the Harmony Ambulance, Fillmore Central’s Big Band Bash, the Harmony Monster Bash, the Commonweal Theater, Harmony’s 4 of July Celebration, and the Harmony Area Community Foundation.
Thank You, Steve Cremer!
In his retirement years, Steve will be traveling with his wife, Umbelina, playing with their new dog, and setting aside some time to relax. He plans to still come into the office and stay up-to-date with the latest waste and recycling trends, machine improvements, and Harmony goings-on.
The employees of Harmony Enterprises would like to thank Steve for all of his leadership, mentorship, friendship, and compassion over the years. We wish him the best in his next chapter and plan to make him proud of the work he helped to build well into the future!
