Hochstein takes his next step towards upper management at the Washington Fareway

    Michale Hochstein arrived in Washington on June 15 to take over his new job as the assistant manager of Washington Fareway.

    Originally from Osceola, Hochstein transferred to Washington from the Denison Fareway as his first step up the management ladder. In Denison he was a full-time employee in the management program.

    Hochstein has worked for Fareway since he was 14 years old, while he attended Clark Community High School. His first store manager, he said, helped Hochstein get more involved with Fareway. He went to college for a year at Indian Hills Community College before returning to Fareway.

    He says the management program requires people to move around every three or four years to learn the way up to store manager. He has a wife, Nicole, and two daughters, Cadence and Chloe.

    What brings you to Washington?

    The management program. I?m just trying to work my way up. Fareway came to me and said there was an opportunity in Washington to become an assistant manager. I?m replacing Jay Lucas. He was transferred over to Estherville as assistant manager, so I?m taking his place.

    What do you think of Washington so far?

    It?s a very nice town. I think I?ll enjoy it a lot. There are a lot of nice people here.

    What?s your favorite thing about Washington?

    It has very nice parks and nice places for my kids to go and play.

    If you could change one thing about Washington, what would it be?

    I don?t really know yet.

    How did you get involved with the management program?

    It was something I enjoyed doing. When I started, it was something I wasn?t sure if I wanted to do or not. My manager gave me some more responsibilities and from there I just took it as something I enjoyed. I liked coming in every single day, doing  my job, communicating with customers and getting to know people on a personal basis.

    What?s the hardest part of your job?

    Making sure everything is taken care of and that everyone gets what they want.

    What?s the most rewarding part of your job?

    People coming back and complimenting you, and saying you did a good job or saying that they appreciate something you did.

For more, see our June 25 print edition.