Honoring Two Legends: Celebrating the Retirements of Steve Bughi and Mike Walker

At Agri-Service, our people are what truly set us apart. Their experience, integrity, and commitment to customers shape who we are every day. This year, we say a heartfelt thank you and congratulations to two highly respected team members as they step into well-earned retirements: Steve Bughi and Mike Walker. 

Together, Steve and Mike bring over decades of industry experience. Their dedication and expertise have shaped our customers, teams, and communities. 

Steve Bughi: A Lifetime with Massey Ferguson

For many customers and coworkers, Steve Bughi is simply known as the “Massey Man.” His connection to Massey Ferguson isn’t just a career; it’s a lifetime story. 

Steve’s journey with Massey began early. There’s even a home movie of him in 1968, at just 8 years old, driving a Massey Ferguson tractor. By 1975, while still in high school, Steve went to work for Stone Machinery and later for Stateline Farm Center, a Caterpillar-Massey dealer. At just 15 years old, armed with a farm driver’s license, he was already learning the business from the ground up, handling pre-delivery work, steam cleaning equipment, and moving tires. 

In 1977, Steve’s dedication paid off when he became the Western Region winner of the Massey Ferguson Youth in Business contest. The prize included a $1,000 scholarship and a trip to Detroit, where he toured the Massey Ferguson tractor plant and witnessed the final MF1155 roll off the production line, a memory he still treasures. 

Steve began farming full-time in 1980, eventually operating 2,000 acres of irrigated ground, all while continuing to support Massey customers and dealerships whenever help was needed. Deeply rooted in customer service and community involvement, Steve later served on the board of directors for the Walla Walla Farmers Co-Op. 

In 2007, when the Co-Op opened an AGCO dealership, Steve embraced a new challenge and officially joined the dealership team, bringing decades of experience, trust, and relationships with him. Over the years, Walla Walla and the surrounding valley became known for their red tractors, thanks to Steve’s unwavering commitment to customer care. 

Steve spent the last 2½ years with Agri-Service, where his passion for Massey and his willingness to help never wavered.

Steve is retiring to spend more time with his grandchildren and continue farming full-time. It’s a well-earned next chapter for someone who has given so much to the industry. 

 

Mike Walker: A Parts Pro with a Story for Every Situation

If you ever had a tough parts question, chances are Mike Walker either had the answer or a story to go with it. 

Mike has been in the agricultural equipment business since the age of 17, building a 30-year career spanning multiple regions and roles. From working in Kansas to serving as a parts manager in Eastern Idaho, Mike developed a reputation as someone who truly understood parts across many brands and how to get customers what they needed. 

Mike eventually moved closer to family to be near his grandchildren, but never lost his passion for the business or the people in it. He also served on multiple industry boards, reflecting his commitment to agriculture beyond the parts counter. 

In 2015, Mike joined Rathbone Sales as Parts Manager. He stayed on through the transition when Rathbone Sales became part of Agri-Service, providing consistency, knowledge, and steady support to both customers and coworkers. 

Known for his quick wit and sharp sense of humor, Mike brought personality to the workplace along with his deep expertise. He was a trusted go-to for parts questions, problem-solving, and advice, and always made the workday a little more enjoyable. 

 

A Rare Kind of Knowledge 

Steve Bughi and Mike Walker stand out in today’s ag industry; professionals with decades of hands-on experience, deep knowledge, and a genuine desire to help others. Their influence lives on through the relationships they’ve built and the people they’ve mentored. 

They will be greatly missed, but their legacy will continue to shape Agri-Service and our community. 

Steve and Mike, your dedication, knowledge, and friendship have shaped Agri-Service and inspired us all. Thank you for your years of service and the example you’ve set. Wishing you both a fulfilling and joyful retirement; you’ve more than earned it.