Joseph Peed September 28, 1946 – November 4, 2020

With a heavy heart and deep admiration, we regretfully announce that Joe Peed (74), Heartland Communications’ CEO and the driving force of Contractors Hot Line, has passed away. Heartland Communications, under Joe’s leadership, grew to become one of Fort Dodge’s biggest employers, beginning with the first publication of Contractors Hot Line, started by his father, John, a contractor who was always feeling frustrated whenever he tried to buy a used piece of equipment. He envisioned the publication as a way to bring buyers and sellers of such equipment together. Joe’s father, John, founded Hot Line Inc. and Contractors Hot Line in 1966, which grew into one of the largest construction equipment buy/sell marketplaces in the industry. The company quickly expanded to include multiple industries and niche publications and became the one of the largest employers in Fort Dodge. Joe became its president in 1974. In 1976, he was elected chairman by the company’s board. Under Joe’s leadership, numerous other publications were added with the purpose of uniting buyers and sellers in the printing, computer, agriculture, industrial and aviation industries, as well as specialty magazines like Fort Dodge Today and Acreage Life. Where others saw problems, Joe saw opportunities. And Joe, blessed with the entrepreneurial spirit, seized on those opportunities and blazed the trail for many other publishing and construction companies to follow. “He loved construction, he loved family and bringing people together and he gave hope and opportunity to so many. And he was passionate in the development of Fort Dodge, Iowa, his home town,” his son, Lucas Peed, said recently. Joe along with Lucas were also instrumental in the startup of another successful Fort Dodge business, MidCountry Machinery. Born and raised on a farm near Otho, Iowa, Joe was one of John and Dolores Peed’s seven children – 5 boys and 2 girls. Joe was always quick to credit his childhood and upbringing on the farm for his work ethic, discipline, determination and an entrepreneurial spirit that would ultimately lead him to becoming one of Fort Dodge’s most cherished, generous and humble business and civic leaders. Joe understood the advantages of living and working in Fort Dodge, a thriving Midwestern small town. He always gave credit for the company’s success to his employees for their hard work, honesty and values. Joe believed in hiring good people, showing them the way and then getting out of the way to let them shine. He had this quote from Theodore Roosevelt on his desk. “The best executive is one who has the sense enough to pick good people to do what he wants, and the self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.” Joe was a master team builder and motivator. Not settling for simply being a successful businessman, Joe believed strongly in giving back and began devoting his time and resources on promoting Fort Dodge, especially the downtown district, and doing anything he could to make it stronger. A random sample of certificates, awards and plaques from his office include: Frontier Days Parade Grand Marshal, Outstanding Corporate Citizenship Award, YMCA Century Club member, SSMID Executive Board (downtown revitalization), and a Special Recognition for Outstanding Contribution to the White House Conference on Small Business. Just to name just a few. Throughout Joe’s entire life he always remained grounded, humble and respectful for all his blessings. He was fond of saying “The main things that make me happy are my work and my sons. My boys are my life and my business is just a hobby.” Local leaders and officials praised both his business ability and his commitment to the community. Jim Kersten, Iowa Central Community Community College Vice President, External Relations and Public Affairs had this to say about Joe, “He was an entrepreneurial visionary...always on the cutting edge of niche publishing and applying technology. He worked with us as partners and all his staff to find opportunities, and he always said a deal could get done 'If you have a willing buyer and seller'! He also saw the value of public private partnerships as he helped redevelop downtown Fort Dodge. He saw the need for better parking downtown and asked me to help find funds for the city to build a ramp. Working with Congressman Tom Latham and Senator’s Grassley and Harkin, we were able to secure funds to build one. Unfortunately the city eventually decided they did not want to pursue that so when I went to work with Iowa Central, we were able to shift the funds out to the college to improve our cramped parking situation as providing mass transit access to regional students. A win-win for all! In summary, Joe was just a great man to know and work with." “He was a guy with a great vision of how to build a business,” Fort Dodge Mayor Matt Bemrich said. “He knew how to use a property to its best and fullest extent. He was a man ahead of his time when it came to bringing growth to downtown. He always had a vision to make downtown a place where people wanted to be. He was a man of honor.” Bemrich said he believed Peed was once the largest single property owners in downtown Fort Dodge. Dennis Plautz, the chief executive officer of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, described Peed as a “very prominent supporter” of economic development efforts. But he added that Peed did not want public recognition for his work on those efforts. “He was extremely helpful to me, even when I was working for the city, in trying to facilitate things that were good in this community without getting credit,” Plautz said. “He was the most humble person I knew.” Joe was without question, a pioneer of equipment buy-sell-trade magazines. Many say they created this niche 54 years ago with the launch of Contractors Hot Line. Joe was a one-of-a-kind man, a cherished son, brother, father, grandfather, husband, civic leader, and to many like me and many others at Heartland Communications, a mentor who saw potential and opportunity, long before we did. Joe may be gone, but his legacy will live on in all of us privileged to have watched this gentle, humble industry giant in action. Rest in peace my friend. You showed us the way. You made it look easy when we knew it was not. You gave us credit when it was you who deserved it. We owe you a debt of gratitude and will not let you down. Rest easy, Joe…we’ll take it from here.