Ben Thill begins time as Haxtun's Postmaster

There is a new face behind the counter at the Haxtun Post Office. Postmaster Ben Thill took over his new role on March 25 and brings with him nearly 18 years' experience with the United States Postal Service. Thill takes the reins of Haxtun Postmaster following the retirement of Melinda Groshans at the end of 2022 after nearly 38 with the postal service. Groshans served the Haxtun Post Office for nearly 25 of those 38 years.

Thill was born and raised in Greeley and that is also where he began career with the postal service. Thill began his career as a carrier and worked his way to a supervisor role. For the past seven years he and his family have lived in Tennessee where Thill served in several supervisory and management rolls at a post office in Clarksville.

When Thill learned of an open position back in Colorado, relatively close to Greeley, he said he applied and ultimately took it to be able to move closer back to his mom who still lives in Greeley. Thill lives in Fort Morgan, the perfect middle ground, he said, between Haxtun and Greeley.

Thill and his wife have two daughters, ages 21 and 16, and an almost six month old granddaughter. While Thill is back in Colorado and making his home in Fort Morgan and getting settled into his new role as Postmaster, his family is finishing up the current school year in Tennessee. Once school is out, the Thill family will reunite back in Colorado. Thill's oldest daughter serves in the United States Army Reserves and the youngest is in high school.

In their free time, the Thill's enjoy fishing and being outdoors and are excited to be back in Colorado where they can do more hiking, something they weren't able to do as much in Tennessee. Thill's wife works as a vet tech, specifically in the surgical unit, at a facility in Tennessee.

Thill said he was first interested in the stability in a career with the postal service. He said the retirement and other benefits are also great for a family. While he said some tend to not like the hours, he has always enjoyed his job working for the postal service. At times, Thill said he misses being a carrier and fills in when necessary, although in his most recent role that doesn't happen too often.

"I really like it," Thill said of his Postmaster position in Haxtun. "It is going really well and I've met quite a few people. And I haven't had any complaints, so I'm happy about that."

While Thill serves as Postmaster, there are a number of other employees who help the Haxtun Post Office run smoothly including carriers Kim Hinde and Gary Chase and their subs Derek Fix and Amanda McLendon. Shannon Maxwell, Keith Mask and Kathy Dix all work as Clerks in the office.

Thill said he has no plans to make changes at the post office at this time. He said things seem to run smooth and the office functions efficiently. "I don't see a need to change anything if it's working just fine."