USA – Landmark Service Cooperative has named James Dell as new CEO effective March 5, with the responsibility to lead Landmark into the next stage of growth.
Dell will succeed Larry Swalheim who rejoined Landmark in October 2017 as Interim CEO and President.
Larry served the cooperative from 1987 to 2011 when he retired, having led the company into various mergers and acquisitions over two decades that saw lifted annual sales to a record of US$333 million in 2008.
Larry was a valuable asset during his tenure at the company, assisting cooperatives across the Midwest in an interim CEO capacity and teaching cooperative leadership through USAID.
Dell owns a degree in agricultural business from Southwest State University in Marshall, Minnesota, US.
Before joining Landmark Service, he worked at Harvest States, at Land O’Lakes, Central Valley Cooperative for its feed and grain business, Cooperative Producers Inc. in Hastings, Nebraska, U.S., as vice-president of grain, managing 82 million bushels of grain storage.
He also led the transportation division, which consisted of a 55-vehicle fleet.
“After an extensive CEO search and interview process, the board is pleased to have found the best individual to assume the leadership of our cooperative,” said John Blaska, chairman of LSC.
“The board and I are delighted that Jim will lead Landmark into its next stage of growth.”
Landmark began the process of hiring a CEO in September 2017 after the Board of Directors accepted resignation of Robert Carlson Jr., former CEO of the cooperative.
During the transition period, Board Chairman, John Blaska reassured Landmark’s dedication to serving their customers and members with professionalism while providing and delivering quality products and services.
With the new appointed, the cooperative confirms its focus on creating value for members and keeping your cooperative financially strong.
“I am very excited for the opportunity to lead this exceptional cooperative that understands the strength of technology, innovation and the ever-changing agricultural environment,” Dell said.
“I look forward to working with the board of directors to develop a strong, clear vision that will help the organization be mutually successful with its member-owners. I understand that, as our patrons grow, we need to grow as a cooperative to meet their future needs.”
