Story by Dylan McConnell, Marketing Communications Specialist for 4Rivers Equipment
How do you turn a college job into a 45-year career?
What began as two college students working full‑time in 1980 turned into a 45‑year story of opportunity, mentorship and unwavering work ethic.
Brian Dent and Rich Naylor worked hard, said yes to opportunities, and grew into leaders who shaped the culture around them. They didn’t plan their path; they simply kept showing up and taking on whatever came next.
Where can opportunity lead?
Both credit their longevity to leaders who recognized their potential early on. Every few years brought something new to learn and something different to take on. Their advice is simple:
When opportunity shows up, take it, and work your butt off.
How do you build relationships that last?
Some of their closest friendships today started as customer relationships. That’s the 4Rivers culture they describe: build real connections, be honest and work through challenges together.
How do you create lessons that will stick?
From the leaders that came before them, they learned the importance of attitude, communication, and expectations. One quote they still rely on: “Equally informed people seldom disagree.”
Is about you? Or is it more about us?
Even while celebrating their 45-year milestones, what excites them both most is seeing the whole store involved and watching others grow. They hope to be remembered simply as people who showed up every day and did the right thing.
And their message to anyone starting out?
If two 19-year-old college kids can build a career like this, it’s possible for anyone.
How do you celebrate two selfless leaders?
Their 45th anniversary was celebrated on March 26 at the Pueblo West branch with the kind of recognition that reflects the impact Brian and Rich have had over the decades. General Manager Danny Bratton presented them with a commemorative award honoring their years of service, followed by a steak luncheon for the team, personally cooked by Danny and supervised by CEO John Shearer. True to form, the celebration wasn’t just about the milestone, but about sharing it with the people they’ve worked alongside, making it a fitting tribute to careers built on teamwork and culture.
Watch the full interview to hear their story firsthand and catch the moments you can only feel when you hear them tell it.
