May 27, 2026 | News & Press Releases
LE MARS, Iowa (May 27, 2026) — The helpful smile of a Brookings Hy-Vee employee is now featured on the side of a Hy-Vee semi-trailer to recognize the exemplary level of service he provides to customers.
Darin Schleicher’s picture was unveiled Wednesday morning during a celebration outside Brookings Hy-Vee. Schleicher serves as the produce manager at the Brookings Hy-Vee, where he has worked since 1991.
Schleicher is often the first person customers see when they enter the store and uses that as an opportunity to create lasting connections. He knows many customers’ names, the names of their children, and their school activities. Schleicher is a 2025 recipient of the Hy-Vee Legendary Customer Service Award, which recognizes exemplary achievement in providing service that exceeds customers’ expectations.
Hy-Vee first started featuring long-serving employees on semi-truck wraps in 1997, and it has since become a cherished tradition at the company.
Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 560 business units across nine Midwestern states with sales of more than $14 billion annually. The supermarket chain is synonymous with quality, variety, convenience, healthy lifestyles, culinary expertise and superior customer service. Hy-Vee was recently named one of the top grocery stores in America by USA TODAY. The company’s more than 70,000 employees provide “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle” to customers every day. For additional information, visit www.hy-vee.com.