Celebrating 120 Years of Opportunity and Growth

This May, we’re celebrating 120 years of CITY, and in past newsletters, we have shared the story of how this company began and how it has grown over time.

That history matters, and it is something we are proud of. But this year, we wanted to focus on something different. 120 years is not only about how long a company has been around. It is about what CITY has meant to the people who have been part of it.

Across routes, plants, offices, and teams, CITY has been a place where people have built careers and created opportunities for themselves and their families. It is where people have learned, taken on new challenges, and grown over time by showing up and doing the work.

Those opportunities have even reached beyond borders, creating paths for people from outside the United States to be part of the team and build something for themselves here.

For some, that has meant making big life decisions. As Route Supervisor Kyle Wirth shared, “I moved my family to Iowa for this opportunity. It has been a great move for all of us, and I am excited for what is ahead.”

For others, CITY has been the place where everything started. “CITY gave me my first real opportunity and helped shape who I am professionally,” said CITY’s BDR, Teagan Tressel. And for some, that connection has lasted for decades. Mark Ballo, who has spent more than forty years with CITY, put it simply. “You can’t work somewhere this long and not love it. I love CITY.” He added, “It has allowed me to grow as a person and support my family. It has been a true partnership.”

That same sense of trust and opportunity continues across the company today, no matter the role or location. Senior First Aid Representative Katie Hall shared, “CITY has given me a level of trust that drives how I care for our customers. It is a special opportunity, and I do not take it for granted.

Vicki Ault, from our Office Team at Oelwein, shared, “To me, I enjoy what I do for CITY because I feel like I am an asset to the team, and that is why I have worked here for over 10 years. I also like making sure we are doing the right thing for the customer.”

Each of these experiences is different, but they all point to the same thing. CITY has never been just one path. For some, it is a place to grow into leadership. For others, it has provided stability and the chance to build something outside of work. And for many, it is both.

This is what 120 years represents. It represents consistency, resilience, and a commitment to doing things the right way over time. It reflects how CITY has continued to grow, adapt, and move forward while staying grounded in what matters most.

It’s something to be proud of, not just because of the time, but because of what it takes to sustain and build something that lasts. And that continues every day.

Through the work being done across the company. Through the standards we hold. Through the way we show up for our customers and for the business.

As we celebrate this milestone, we are proud of where we have been and the foundation that has been built.

Thank you for being part of 120 years of CITY.