Luke Bolin, Creative Director for Sullivan Supply, grew up in northern Arkansas. After falling in love with showing cattle at the age of 15, Luke became very active both in and out of the show ring. It didn’t take long for him to find the Shorthorn breed and in 2011 he became the first person from the state of Arkansas to be elected to the American Junior Shorthorn Association Board of Directors. After attending the University of Arkansas, Luke accepted an internship at the American Hereford Association that catapulted him toward his career with Sullivan Supply. In 2013, John Sullivan approached Luke about joining the team in Dunlap, Iowa and jumping into the communications and advertising department with some big projects, The Pulse being one of them.
We asked Luke what his favorite memory with Sullivan Supply has been, where he replied, “It would almost be impossible to narrow it down to one favorite memory in my time with Sullivan Supply. I will say that over the last almost 11 years I have gotten to work with amazing people. From mentors to coworkers and interns, we work hard but create countless memories all along the way.”
Over the years the shape of Luke’s job has shifted to be focus on different parts of the marketing department, but no matter what his focus is, Luke states that “one my favorite things is getting to see our customers interact and consume all of the content and products that we work on while not at shows.” Luke also said “I really love junior nationals. Some would say it is the most stressful time of year around Sullivan Supply but I really love getting to meet exhibitors from all across the country and I have been lucky enough to see many of them grow up in this industry.”
Going on 11 years with Sullivan Supply, Luke has had several accomplishments and routes taken through the company. Looking at his time with the company, it would be hard not to think of The Pulse. With The Pulse’s 10th birthday this year, Luke claims, “it seems like just yesterday we were taking John’s vision and turning it into a reality. None of us could have imagined it would turn into something so big that everyone from junior exhibitors to established breeders rely on.” While Luke may be quickly recognized through The Pulse, over the last several years he has transitioned into the Creative Director role, embracing a new journey and tasks across the company. Through his role, Luke has the opportunity to work on the overarching vision that our customers have of the company. Each year, Sullivan Supply releases a product catalog to our customers. As stressful as it may be, it is very rewarding when we finally send it to the printer. Luke states, “There is a wall in the lobby of Sullivan Supply in Dunlap, IA that has all of the catalog covers since 1989 framed, it is so cool to think that long after I am gone the covers I created will still hang there, my impact on the company.”
With Luke’s time at Sullivan Supply and in the livestock industry, we ask what his advice to college students and the next generation would be. “Build connections!” Connections and relationships built through showing and in college always pay off in unexpected ways. Regardless of your background or level of competitiveness, finding a route to stay in the industry you love is always obtainable. “Do not be afraid to approach industry leaders in the field you want to work in. You will find, especially in the livestock industry, that people are more than willing to help those that ask for it.”
Sullivan Supply is beyond grateful to have Luke Bolin as an asset to the Sullivan Supply family. Through his several accomplishments and impacts on the company, we are excited to see where he may lead Sullivan Supply next!
