Mike obtained a BA in Chemistry at Central College in Pella, IA. He furthered his education at Iowa State University and obtained a BA in Chemical Engineering. He then attended Drake University in Des Moines, graduating with an MBA. Prior to becoming the General Manager at Hydrus Detergents, Mike worked in various Engineering and Senior Management positions within the chemical manufacturing industry.

Mike joined Hydrus as General Manager in March of 2020 and has embraced the challenges and opportunities presented to him. He values forming relationships and supporting customers to enable them to be successful with building their businesses. He also enjoys developing formulas to solve unique problems customers may have.
When asked about his favorite Hydrus product Mike stated, “As a chemical guy, I like the 511 for cleaning up aluminum. I also like the ChloroClean because it is perfect for institutions to thoroughly sanitize and be gentle at the same time.”

Shelly has a BA in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Sociology from Mt. Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, IA. Prior to coming to work at Hydrus, she worked in Social Services for over 20 years. Seeking a career change, she found employment locally with Hydrus.

Shelly enjoys interacting with the customers and values learning new things every day. She owns G-Town Car Wash in Graettinger, IA with a friend. FC Ultra-505, Power Blast–507 and FC Gloss–516 have proven to be wise choices for detergent there. “Customers rave about how clean their vehicles are and there are no spots after drying.” She also recommends Citrax. “It is a great degreaser for a variety of things. I use it in the kitchen (especially for the stove) and as a stain remover on clothing. It even works as a bug deterrent outside in the Summer!”

After graduating from high school, Wayne began selling hardware at a local supply store and became a store manager within a year. After 15 years, he changed jobs and began working at a local manufacturing plant. When that manufacturer closed 15 years later, Wayne transitioned to working at Hydrus. He has been here for 16+ years.

Wayne stated that he enjoys working at Hydrus because, “I like the challenges of filling the orders that come in.”
Wayne’s favorite product is Grease Cutter – 503. “We tested it on my old beater. It had paint that was oxidized and fading. The 503 brought out the shine and it’s looked new ever since.”

John is a high school graduate with two years in computer programming. He has developed a diverse set of skills through a variety of employment opportunities including farm work, welding, delivery driving and as a machinist on oil rigs. Working at Hydrus has added to John’s skill set. “When I started, I never worked with chemicals before. They were willing to teach and train me on how to mix and create products. I am always learning here.” John has been with Hydrus for 16+ years.

When asked why he enjoys working for Hydrus, John was quick to answer. “The guys I work with in the shop are great. The nice steady work is also enjoyable.” John’s favorite Hydrus product is the Grease Cutter-503. “It’s so versatile, you can use it on many different things. It’s the one I use most personally.”

Matthew is a high school graduate who enlisted into the Army and served for 4 years in the 82nd Airborne Division in the U.S. Army. Afterwards, he spent 35 years working as a carpenter. He enjoyed taking old parts of a home and restoring them to their original glory.

When asked why he enjoys working at Hydrus, Matthew stated “Friendly, almost family-like environment. They trust me to complete tasks and don’t over supervise.” His favorite Hydrus product is the Clean Clothes laundry detergent. “My mom uses it religiously!”

Thomas enjoys playing sports and video games. He worked for the State of Iowa at a variety of jobs for 20 years. When he returned to his home town, he found his place at Hydrus.

When asked why he enjoys working for Hydrus, Thomas laughed and said, “I enjoy the small group we have. We can laugh and joke around while working. It makes the day fun and easy.” Thomas’ favorite Hydrus product is Citrax. “I’ve used it for cleaning bath tubs, stoves and refrigerators. I like the way it cleans and makes things look like new. Plus, it smells fresh.”

Joshua is currently enrolled in college working on his degree in Graphic Design.

When asked why he chose to work at Hydrus, Joshua states, “I was searching for a job when one of my teachers made me aware of a position at Hydrus.” He enjoys Hydrus because, “I am able to utilize and improve my design skills. I also have the privilege to work directly with a variety of businesses around the United States.” Joshua’s favorite Hydrus product is ChloroClean because, “It sanitizes effectively.”