Honoring Steve Severin

Celebrating 50 Years of Dedication!

A lot has changed since Steve Severin first walked through the doors of Great Plains Industries (GPI). The company has grown, evolved, and innovated—but so has the city around it. Back then, many of Wichita’s now-connected suburbs were still separated by farmland. Towne East Mall had just opened in 1975, signaling the city’s future expansion. Three years later, Great Plains Ventures purchased the land where GPI stands today—acres of open fields with only a few roads leading in. But all that history pales in comparison to the stories Steve shares when you ask him about his time here.

From the Farm to the Factory Floor

Steve’s roots are in agriculture—he grew up living and working on a farm. He attended technical school while still in high school, then went on to earn his engineering degree from Oklahoma State University for the unbelievable price of just $12 per semester. After working for Cities Service Gas Company in Western Kansas, Steve decided he wanted to travel less and stay closer to home. He spotted an ad in the Wichita Eagle for a “Test Engineer” at GPI, called Morris Harris, interviewed late on a Friday afternoon, and was offered the job on the spot. With his background in farming, Steve was familiar with hand pumps and jerrycans (and their quirks), so the idea of electric transfer pumps intrigued him. When he asked where GPI had manufacturing facilities and was told, “This is it,” he was sold. He started on November 10, 1975, and got married the very next Saturday.

A Living Chronicle of GPI

If you want the inside scoop on GPI, Steve is your go-to source. He’s a living archive of the company’s evolution. While we often hear about how the workplace has changed over the last 50 years, Steve brings those changes to life with vivid stories—from unconventional product testing methods to the mystery of multiple company vehicle rollovers. The early days of GPI sound like a completely different world, and Steve tells it all with humor and heart. His stories paint a picture of a workplace that was scrappy, inventive, and full of character.

Coworkers were able to provide a wealth of insight when asked about Steve: he is known for his warmth, humor, and generosity. He’s always willing to teach, help with car problems, or lend a hand to neighbors. He’s the king of desktop shortcuts, a master of UL procedures, and possibly fueled entirely by coffee. He’s known for remembering coworkers’ interests and families and even extends that care to visiting auditors—sometimes to their distraction. He hates country music despite growing up in rural Oklahoma, dislikes strawberries, and, according to one particularly tall co-worker, has a soft spot for short jokes (though some go over his head). Ken also swears Steve’s pocket protector is actually a full-sized bed for afternoon naps.

The Heart of a Team Player

Outside of work, Steve still lives on what most of us would consider a farm, caring for a variety of animals over the years including Shetland ponies, miniature donkeys (who enjoy fermented berries), and of course a beloved house cat. He’s passionate about cars and motorcycles, and always happy to strike up a conversation. He speaks fondly of both the original team and his current coworkers, embodying the spirit of camaraderie and dedication that has defined GPI for decades.

Steve once joked that he has shoes older than most of the folks working here now—and he might not be wrong. His 50-year milestone is a testament to loyalty, innovation, and the power of a good story. We’re lucky to know him, and even luckier to work alongside him.