Nick Badenhop grew up around technology, helping his father in the family’s television and appliance repair shop in Holgate. His older brother entered the tech field, and Nick originally planned to follow in his footsteps by studying IT in college. However, a high school Food for Life class introduced Nick to cooking, causing him to debate attending culinary school instead.

Acknowledging that IT careers offer better hours than restaurant work, Nick enrolled at Northwest State Community College. After earning an associate degree in Network Programming, he went to work for MetaLINK Technologies. He used the TV tower climbing skills he learned in his dad’s business to ascend commercial towers and install wireless services.

In 2003, Nick started working at Henry County Hospital, where he managed Information Systems for ten years. While there, he attended Defiance College and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.

Nick joined HCR ManorCare in 2013, which became part of ProMedica in 2019. At ProMedica, he served as Director of Solutions Management & Enterprise Architecture.

One of Nick’s early mentors encouraged him to remain open to new career opportunities. Exhorting a look-but-don’t-look approach, the mentor taught Nick to keep his eyes open and his resume updated. So, although he wasn’t seeking a new job, he applied anyway when he spotted a Gerken career posting on LinkedIn.

“I went in hoping to brush up on my interview skills but came out intrigued by the opportunity,” says Nick. “I found myself wanting the job.”

A Refreshing Change

After 20 years in the healthcare industry, Nick finds The Gerken Companies a refreshing change. Gerken’s family atmosphere fits his upbringing working in his dad’s business, and he appreciates the company’s support of the community in which his life is so deeply rooted.

Nick and his family live on the Badenhop homestead in Henry County. His two sons, ages 12 and 10, are the sixth generation of Badenhops raised there. An 1852 barn still stands, proudly denoting the family’s past.

Nick and his wife, Caitlyn, have been married for fourteen years. He likes to say she fell for a younger man. She is two days older than Nick. As it happens, they were born in the same hospital (with the same doctor), and their mothers shared a hospital labor-delivery room. The couple would finally meet when both were working at Henry County Hospital.

Nick coaches youth baseball in his spare time, including little league and travel teams. Growing up, he played baseball, basketball, and cross country. He enjoyed baseball’s mental aspect as a pitcher, getting into a batter’s head. Cross country taught him to push on when the going gets tough.

“Some people might be surprised to learn that I enjoy farming,” Nick says. “When I was young, I helped on my best friend’s family farm, especially around harvest time. I still help him farm his land today.”

Nick still enjoys cooking. He also likes gardening, canning, and making jams and jellies.

“My faith is essential to me, and teaching my sons to maintain a strong faith life is my top priority,” explains Nick. “If I can accomplish that, I’ll know I’m doing something right.”

Embracing Change

When it comes to technology, Nick foresees an exciting future for The Gerken Companies and the construction field.

“There are new advances every year in IT, and mobile technology changes every thirty days,” he says. “I’m someone who likes change. It keeps you sharp.”

Although technology often means doing things differently, Nick takes a unique approach to introducing change at Gerken. In keeping with his warm and welcoming personality, he implements solutions while maintaining the human connection. That way, employees can embrace working differently and drive efficiencies for the business in a fun, spirited way.

“Every day is new,” he declares. “So you have to keep learning.”