40 Under 40: Nathan Mueller
Blue Ox & Hesse Enterprises Chief Financial Officer, With Company: 10 years
As chief financial officer (CFO) at Blue Ox & Hesse Enterprises, Nathan Mueller does much more than accounting. Mike Hesse, CEO of Blue Ox & Hesse Enterprises, notes that Nathan actively engages in production, pricing and sales, and over the past few years, has emerged as a steady leader at the company’s plant in Pender, Nebraska.
“Although initially a reluctant leader, Nathan has stepped out of his comfort zone to mentor and advise others within the plant and throughout the community,” Mike says. “His leadership extends to working closely with suppliers and dealers to ensure that our products and services consistently meet customer needs.”
Nathan started his tenure at Blue Ox & Hesse Enterprises in 2014 as an accounting manager. Two years later, he was promoted to director of finance and in 2020 was tapped to be CFO.
Nathan played a pivotal part in helping Blue Ox & Hesse Enterprises navigate economic downturns.
“When the RV slowdown began, Nathan was the first to raise concerns about controlling spending,” Mike says. “As the situation evolved into an RV recession, he was instrumental in rightsizing our business and inventories while maintaining our commitment to customer service. Thanks to Nathan’s efforts, Blue Ox is well-positioned to capitalize on even more business in 2025 and beyond.”
But Nathan isn’t all about numbers — he values a healthy company culture too.
“He helps to cultivate an environment where everyone feels they are contributing, valued, and heard,” says Human Resources Manager Tricia Luber. “Nathan’s door is always open. He will always stop what he is doing to say hello, greet new employees during introductions, and guide those who need it. Nathan’s leadership is above any I have ever experienced.”
When he’s not working at Blue Ox & Hesse Enterprises, Nathan is usually hard at work somewhere else. He helps his father and brother farm roughly 5,000 acres of corn and soybeans, and he’s president of his neighborhood’s Grocery Store Co-Op board. His kids’ extracurricular activities also keep him busy.
