Jim Chism Named CEO of Farmers Cooperative Company

Jim Chism will be FC's new CEO
starting on November 1, 2012

(Ames, IA) September 27, 2012 -- Farmers Cooperative Company (FC), the largest farmer-owned local agriculture cooperative in Iowa, today announced that Jim Chism, General Manager of Frenchman Valley Farmers Cooperative Inc. in Imperial, NE, will succeed Roger Koppen as Chief Executive Officer effective November 1, 2012.

In April, following nearly 40 years of service to FC’s combined companies, Koppen informed the board of his intent to retire; setting in motion the formal management succession strategic plan that FC’s board of directors and senior staff have had in place.

"Naming Jim Chism as Chief Executive Officer is the right step for FC," said Jim Showalter, FC's board president. "As Chief Executive Officer, Roger Koppen has served the farmers well, built a strong team and helped grow the business to where it is today. Fortunately, the board has always taken the matter of planning FC’s management succession very seriously and has had a formal management succession plan in place for years.”

 Following this plan, the board formed a search committee utilizing outside resources and counsel, and after careful consideration, selected Jim Chism as the next CEO of Farmers Cooperative Company. “Jim is a dynamic, innovative, and proven leader who will be committed to serving our members and securing FC's position as the leading agriculture inputs supplier and service provider," said Showalter.

 "I am honored that the board has chosen me to become Chief Executive Officer and continue the successful path that Roger Koppen has forged for the company," said Chism. "FC is well-positioned to capitalize on the significant opportunities before us, enhancing our products and services and - most importantly - creating value for our members. I look forward to working with our board of directors and with FC's most important asset – the employees, to build on this solid foundation, and move our business forward to best serve our members."

 Farmers Cooperative Company (FC) has corporate headquarters in Ames, IA and is the largest farmer-owned local agriculture cooperative in Iowa. FC serves over 5,500 members throughout our trade territory of over 3,000,000 acres. Members are served from our 60 locations by a 450 full time employee team. For more information, please visit www.fccoop.com.