Born and raised in Emmett, Idaho, Riley Neth embodies the values of hard work and perseverance. Today, as Maintenance Supervisor at Idaho Milk Products, he leads with a blend of technical expertise and authentic leadership—a journey shaped by determination and unexpected opportunities.
Riley's professional journey began during high school when he worked at a saw shop and rental yard. After graduation, he sharpened his skills as a plumbing apprentice, tackling residential, commercial, and new construction projects for three years.
Riley's career path took an unexpected turn when a part-time college job at local car wash evolved into a launch pad for leadership. Starting as an assistant manager, he eventually became the area maintenance manager for three Idaho locations and two Utah locations before being promoted to general manager of various locations. It was during this time that Riley met his wife, who was working as a supervisor at the Boise location.
Finding his place at Idaho Milk Products
In 2022, seeking more fulfillment and wanting to return to maintenance work, Riley joined Idaho Milk Products as a Night Shift Maintenance Technician. Within three months, he advanced to Vacation Relief, and in less than a year, he earned the role of Night Shift Supervisor.
"Before I wasn't even really seriously looking, but I was asking around and just everybody I talked to could only say good things about this company, which is almost unheard of in regards to anything," Riley shares about his decision to join Idaho Milk Products.
Learning from mentors
Despite facing a significant learning curve when transitioning from the car wash industry to Idaho Milk Products in 2022, Riley attributes his successful adaptation to key team members like Brock Jensen and Jeremy Mulgrew.
About Brock, he says, “He was on maintenance nights when I came on, and he was my partner. And the guy is a phenomenal trainer, and he's one of those guys where if he's unsure about something, he dives into it to fully understand it, but then he can train it out.”
Jeremy’s mentorship helped Riley adjust to being the Night Shift Supervisor. “I was able to work alongside him just about every night and learn from him. He's got more than 15 years of industry experience.”
Leadership philosophy
Riley credits his father as his biggest role model in developing his leadership style. "I love being in a leadership role. My dad has been in leadership his whole life... learning from him and just really watching him interact with others and go about his life, I've kind of imitated that as I've grown up."
At Idaho Milk Products, Riley has found opportunities to manage a larger team than ever before. "Working here has offered me the ability to not only hone my technical skills with field work in general, but also to hone my skills as a leader. Every day, I get to lead a team of this size at the performance level required for the department, which has been a huge opportunity for growth because of the natural challenges it presents to exceed the expectations we place on ourselves as a team."
He believes strongly that caring about your team is fundamental to effective leadership: "If you care for your team as a leader, then the effect you have on your people is going to alter how you go about your leadership. And then you will want to make improvements in yourself. And those changes affect you as a person."
Humility in leadership
Despite his impressive rise from Night Shift Maintenance Technician to Maintenance Supervisor in just a short time, overseeing a team of 15 employees, Riley remains humble about his achievements.
"It just goes to show the type of team that we already had in place. Without them, I'd still be a technician. I mean, the fact that we had such a good team here that had and still has the ability to train others and understand our process to then learn from, that's a hundred percent where I was able to then take that and move forward with it."
Current role and responsibilities
As Maintenance Supervisor, Riley orchestrates the daily operations that keep production running smoothly. He currently oversees a team of 15 employees, including technicians, welders, and valve techs. His typical day involves:
- Organizing the maintenance department's daily task plan
- Coordinating work turned over from night shifts
- Managing ongoing projects and working with contractors
- Supporting his team in the field
Riley sees his department's role as critical to the company's success: "It is maintenance's job—production is our customer. It's our job to give production the tools that they need to make the product we make for our customers."
Life beyond work
When Riley steps away from his maintenance leadership role at Idaho Milk Products, his focus shifts entirely to his family and other passions like working on cars, hunting and fishing, and camping.
As a devoted father, Riley finds his greatest joy in creating memorable experiences with his two young daughters—a curious, adventurous two-and-a-half-year-old and a bright-eyed four-month-old. What makes Riley’s personal time truly special is how seamlessly he weaves his passions into family life. Rather than keeping hobbies to himself, he delights in sharing them, watching his daughters express curiosity and wonder as they explore the world together.
In his own words: "My biggest thing is just hanging out with my family and showing my daughters new experiences." This family-first approach reflects the same care and dedication he brings to his job at Idaho Milk Products.
