Star City Six – Joan Kurtenbach
Heartland Payment Systems serves businesses of all sizes, vested in helping you achieve your goals by providing a wide range of solutions like Heartland Payroll+HR. Joan Kurtenbach is a senior product advisor with Heartland Payment Systems (www.heartland.us), specializing in Heartland Payroll+HR and serving clients in the Nebraska territory.
Tell us a little about your business.
Heartland Payroll+HR takes the guesswork out of processing payroll and managing the intricacies of human resources regulations and issues. Payroll+HR is a turnkey payroll service with a full range of human resources tools to support your business. We proudly offer a 3 year price lock, a single point of contact for payroll and a virtual SHRM rep for those businesses that could use a little extra compliance help with handbooks, policies, and consulting.
How did you get started in the business?
I have been working in the payroll industry for the last 20 years. Two years ago I was approached by Heartland Payroll Solutions to take care of the Nebraska market and love it!
Tell us a little about your family.
My husband Randy and I share three beautiful daughters: Sara, Amy, and Michaela. Our life is now blessed with seven grandchildren and two more on the way!
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
I battled Crohn’s disease in my early 30s. Thanks to great doctors and positive, prayerful people around me, I have been in remission for two decades. What a blessing!
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
I most definitely do a little “digging in the dirt” (gardening) and reading. Given the time (and money!), I can easily read a book a week. I also love to draw and paint.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know?
I am a middle child out of eleven siblings and grew up on a farm.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
That friendships take work. Whether that be a spouse or best friend, putting a lot of work into listening, talking, laughing, forgiving–these things make lasting friendships.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be?
Joyful!
Which talent would you most like to have?
I wish I had a better poker face. One of my favorite funny sayings is “I can’t be held responsible for what my face does when you talk.”
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be?
There are times that I wish I could go back in time to when I was 18 and choose my major over again. I think I would have made a great nurse.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read?
Ageless Memory by Harry Lorayne, it is fascinating!
What is your favorite movie?
You’ve Got Mail!
What is your favorite TV show?
I could watch Frasier and M*A*S*H for hours–I love to laugh!
What is your favorite local restaurant?
Honest Abe’s for sure! Their burgers are mouthwatering and never boring. And the Parmesan Truffle Fries are addictive!
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be?
The Apostle Peter. I think it would be so interesting to find out what it was like to have spent 3 years walking and talking with Jesus.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
Email: joan.kurtenbach@e-hps.com; Website: www.heartland.us.