ABI LEGENDS IN MANUFACTURING AWARDS

Posthumous manufacturing legend

Larry Countryman

Former CFO and Treasurer – Wilson Trailer Co., Sioux City, Iowa

Larry Countryman was a quiet man, but a strong leader.

Larry, who passed away peacefully this summer at the age of 73, was sought for advice by many during his decades of service to his company, industry and community.

After growing up in the Moville area and being shaped by the hard work of the farm, he used his passion for football to earn a scholarship at Morningside College. That hard work paid off not only in an induction into the Morningside College Hall of Fame, but in a long career in accounting as a CPA.

That career began at Arthur Anderson Accounting, then led him to teach accounting at Western Iowa Tech Community College. He eventually became a partner with the Williams & Co. CPA firm in Sioux City before helping form a new business called Huisenga, Henjes, Conner, Countryman, Williams, Grimsley and Associates (today Henjes, Conner & Williams PC).

His career led him to become the CFO/treasurer of Sioux City-based Wilson Trailer Co., a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of transportation products, which now operates five plants across the Midwest.

A Leadership Iowa alum (1990) who actually roomed with current ABI President Mike Ralston, Larry served as an ABI board member and as Tax Committee chair. He helped lead the committee through some of the largest tax policy efforts during his decades of service in the role.

In addition to helping consult for politicians on tax policy, he also dedicated his time to a variety of nonprofit organizations. His community service included board positions with the Boys Club of America, Tax Research Conference, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce and the Moville Community Development Association, among others, according to The Record in northwest Iowa.

A memorial scholarship was established in Larry’s honor in an effort to continue his long legacy of giving back.