Industry’s “Oldest Active Salesperson” Retires

Veteran equipment salesman Bob Tilley has retired after 27 years of service with Kirby-Smith Machinery. The company said Tilley was possibly the oldest heavy equipment salesperson still actively selling in the industry.

Tilley, a native Oklahoman, began his sales career with Cummins Engine in Oklahoma City, before moving on to the local John Deere dealership, and then owning his own business. In 1985, Tilley joined Kirby-Smith.

“Tilley is known throughout the industry for his ability to find a little bit of humor in most situations,” said Bill Gustafson, Oklahoma sales manager for Kirby Smith. “He can usually turn a negative into a positive with a little bit of humor and perspective.”

“I was taught early on in my career from one of my customers that people want to do business with people,” said Tilley. “They want to know how much you care before they care how much you know.”

Oklahoma City-based Kirby Smith Machinery has one of the largest privately owned equipment rental fleets with operations in southern Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. The company is No. 32 on the RER 100.