SUNRISE COOPERATIVE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Crestline Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Southern Business Development Lead
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Attica Agronomy & Feed
Job Titles:
- Office Assistant / Outside Operations
Job Titles:
- Operations Superintendent
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Strategic Initiatives
Serving Sunrise Cooperative as the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives is Andy Crump. Prior to Sunrise, Andy held the same role at Trupointe Cooperative.
Along with his time at Trupointe, Andy has experience in Business Operations Planning, Strategic Pricing, Financial Analysis and Sales Operations at LexisNexis. Andy also served as Finance Manager at Contech Construction Products and began his career as an accountant, auditor and analyst on a contractual basis. He earned his MBA from Xavier University and a B.S in finance from Wright State University.
Andy resides in Beavercreek, Ohio with his wife, Angie, and their children, Allie and Brody. He enjoys spending time with his family, attending his children's sporting activities and outdoor activities.
Job Titles:
- Operations / Truck Driver
Serving Sunrise Cooperative as the CFO is Anthony Myers. Anthony joined Sunrise Cooperative in May 2017 as an Accounting Controller and was named CFO in February 2019.
Anthony earned a B.S. Degree in both accounting and marketing from Bowling Green State University in 2009, along with earning the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credentials in 2011. Upon graduating from BGSU Anthony moved to San Diego, California where he worked for a public accounting firm until 2012. In 2012 he moved back to Ohio and worked in public accounting until he joined Sunrise.
Anthony resides in Vermilion, Ohio with his wife Brittany, and children Sawyer and Avery. In his free time, Anthony enjoys running, tacos, getting outside and being with my family.
Job Titles:
- Operations Manager / Dispatcher
Job Titles:
- Intern - Uniopolis Agronomy & Grain
Leading the sales efforts across the divisions is Vice President of Sales Bill Bever. Bill previously served as the Agronomy Sales Manager at Sunrise.
Bill began at Sunrise as an Agronomy Sales Consultant in 1997 and has also held the role of Agronomy Division Manager. He also spent some time as the Grain and Agronomy Area Manager at Town and Country Co-op (2004-06). Bill's professional experience began on his family farm, Hill and Valley Farm from 1989-1997. He earned a bachelor of science degree in agricultural systems management in 1994 from The Ohio State University.
Bill and his wife, Stacey reside in Norwalk, Ohio. The Bever family includes children; Cody, Joey, Emily, Mascie, Josh, Jake and Emmie, as well two grandchildren. In his free time, Bill enjoys spending time with family, attending the kids sporting events, camping and working on the family farm.
Serving on the Sunrise Cooperative board from Crawford County is Bob Finney. Bob represents District 3 from his family farm in Crestline, Ohio. He has previous experience serving on the Sunrise Cooperative board in 2015.
Job Titles:
- Grain Solutions Associate
Job Titles:
- Custom Applicator / Truck Driver
Job Titles:
- Intern - Ballville Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Associate Grain Accountant
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Ballville Agronomy & Feed
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Crestline Agronomy
Term Expires: 2025 Representing District 1 on the Sunrise Cooperative board is Brian Snavely. Brian resides in Republic, Ohio, located in Seneca County. He has previous experience serving on the Sunrise Cooperative board for three years prior to our merger with Trupointe Cooperative. Brian earned his associate's degree in farm management from The Ohio State University - ATI. He farms with his brothers, Rodney and Chris, as well as his father, Paul, as part of Snavely Farms, LLC. Together they farm corn, soybeans and wheat. Brian also contract feeds hogs from wean-to-finish, as well as participates in the operation of Snavely's Sugar Shack.
Job Titles:
- Intern - Starbuck Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Precision Solutions Specialist / Equipment - Norwalk Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Custom Applicator / Operations
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Norwalk Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Chemical Warehouse Manager
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - South Charleston Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Trainee - Attica Agronomy & Feed
Job Titles:
- Precision Solutions Specialist / Data - Attica Agronomy & Feed
Job Titles:
- Energy Solutions Advisor - Kettlersville Energy
Job Titles:
- Grain Solutions Advisor - Uniopolis Agronomy & Grain
Job Titles:
- Associate Grain Accountant
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Crestline Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Southern Sales Administrative Assistant
Craig Haugaard will oversee the grain division as Vice President of Grain. He previously held the role of Assistant Vice President of Grain at Sunrise.
Craig's background was built off his B.S. in ag econ from South Dakota State University, a M.Ed. in human resource development from the University of Minnesota and a MBA from the University of South Dakota. He began his career at a Feed Ingredient Merchandiser at Agri Trading (1982-1992). Craig owned and operated Marketing By Design (1992-1994) before serving as an extension educator with the Minnesota Extension Service (1994-2004). He gained experience as a Grain Origination Manager at South Dakota Wheat Growers (2004-2012) and as the Grain Divisions Manager at North Central Farmers Elevator (2012-2015) before joining Sunrise.
The Haugaard family includes Craig's wife, Lora, and their two sons, Craig and Ryun, both of whom are West Point graduates. In his free time Craig and Lora enjoy hiking, bike riding, canoeing and reading.
Job Titles:
- Operations / Truck Driver
Job Titles:
- Custom Applicator / Truck Driver
Job Titles:
- Precision Solutions Manager
Job Titles:
- Grain Operations
- Seed Warehouse Manager
Job Titles:
- Operations / Dispatch Manager
Job Titles:
- Truck Driver / Operations
Job Titles:
- Grain Solutions Advisor - Fremont Corporate Office
Representing the Sunrise Cooperative member-owners as an at-large representative on the board is Dean Sweeting. Dean operates Sweeting Family Farms LLC in North Fairfield, Ohio, located in Huron County. He joins the board from the predecessor Sunrise Cooperative.
Sweeting Family Farms LLC consists of a corn and soybean farming operation, alongside 15 different fresh market vegetables, peaches and blackberries. Dean and his wife, Jane, have two sons, John (34) and Jeff (32). Outside of his cooperative board experience, Dean has also served on the school, FSA and township zoning boards, along with serving as a Norwalk United Methodist Church trustee. He is also active with the Ohio Corn Growers Association, Ohio Soybean Association, Huron County Farm Bureau, Fruit Growers Association and the Vegetable Growers Association. Dean spends his free time with his grandchildren, riding ATV's and UTV's, swimming and family vacations.
A cooperative covers multiple basis for Dean's farming operation. "Having a business that is working for me and having a company that I can trust to give me accurate information on hybrid selection, new biologicals, new chemistry, timing and placement of inputs and advancements in technology, as well as contracting grain two or three years into the future" is how Dean views a cooperative. And a cooperative shares its success with its member-owners is an added benefit.
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Attica Agronomy & Feed
Job Titles:
- Crop Nutrient Account Manager
Job Titles:
- Operation / Location & Seed Personnel
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Operations Manager
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Ballville Agronomy & Feed
Job Titles:
- Transportation / Logistics Manager
Serving as the Chairman and representing District 2 from Greene County on the Sunrise Cooperative Board of Directors is Doug Swaim. Doug previously served as the Vice Chairman of Sunrise and also brings experience as the Vice Chairman of the predecessor Trupointe Cooperative. Aside from his time on the Trupointe board, Doug also represented member-owners on the Southwest Landmark board.
Based out of Cedarville, Ohio, Doug farms corn and soybeans through S Corp LLC that includes Hickory Dell Farms, Inc. and Swaim Farms LLC. Alongside the farming setup, Doug oversees a gilt multiplier operation. Doug and his wife, Teresa, have two children, Luke and Lilly. The Swaim family attends Grace Baptist Church and Doug is an active member of the Ohio Corn Growers Association, Ohio Soybean Association and the Greene County Farm Bureau. In his free time, Doug enjoys spending time with family and friends, golfing and weekend trips.
There is a strong connection in the cooperative system between multiple entities and Doug values that link. "I believe the cooperative brings its owners value by being the link between farmers and manufacturers and leading the industry with the newest technologies." Doug continues that "the success of the cooperative is dependent on the success of its customer-owners."
Job Titles:
- Equipment Technology Lead
Job Titles:
- Intern - Crestline Agronomy & Grain
Job Titles:
- Formulation Manager / Chemist
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Starbuck Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - South Charleston Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Operations
Gary Snell serves as the Vice President of Operations of Sunrise Cooperative. Prior to the fall of 2016, Gary held the same position at Trupointe Cooperative.
Gary gained experience in operations through his time as a Crop Protection and Crop Nutrient Manger at Southwest Landmark, along with time spent at Terra Inc. as a Custom Applicator and Location Manager. He began his career as a District Seed Manager for Super Cross Seeds. Gary was involved in production agriculture until 2002 which touched corn, soybeans, cattle, hogs and sheep.
A native of Jamestown, Ohio, Gary and his wife, Shelly, have three sons, Adam, Andrew and Trenton. In his spare time, Gary enjoys spending time with family, golfing, sports in general and fishing.
Gene Cook of Seneca County is a District One representative on the Sunrise Cooperative Board of Directors. He serves as the board secretary, an office he held at the predecessor Sunrise Cooperative. Gene also served on the River Springs and Country Spring Farmers Cooperative boards.
Through Moon Light Farms, LLC, Gene farms corn and soybeans, along with his wife, Becky. Gene and Becky have three sons, Jason (37), Kevin (36) and Adam (33), all of which can be found assisting on the farm. Included in the immediate Cook family is Jason's wife, Shonna, and Adam's wife, Melissa. And rounding out the family are seven grandchildren, Kaitlyn (16), Levi (14), Krista (12), Lauren (9), Caroline (4), Keaton (3) and Owen (1). In his spare time, Gene enjoys spending time with his grandchildren and attending church activities.
A Fremont St. Joseph High School graduate, Gene went on to earn an associate's degree in engineering. He is active with the Seneca County Farm Bureau, Knights of Columbus.
There has been a good sense of reliability and forward thinking that has surrounded the cooperative over the years and Gene feels it will continue to stay on top of the ever-changing agriculture industry. "Over the years the cooperative has been a company which provides valuable goods and services to area customers. This new cooperative will continue the trend of its two predecessors to keep up with the farming industry."
Leading Sunrise Cooperative is President and Chief Executive Officer George D. Secor. Sunrise is the leading agriculture and energy cooperative in Ohio, which spans from Lake Erie to the Ohio River.
With a strong vision in mind, George began to build what would become Sunrise in 1996 when he became the CEO of Country Spring Farmers Co-op. In 2007, they merged with Sunrise Cooperative and began to operate under the Sunrise name, before merging with Country Star Cooperative in 2009. Sunrise reached its current footprint with a merger with Trupointe Cooperative in 2016.
A 1980 Willard High School graduate, George earned a degree in ag econ from The Ohio State University in 1985. He spent his summers doing internships with Ohio Farmers Grain & Supply, a regional cooperative in Ohio. Upon graduation from college, George secured a spot in the management trainee program of CountryMark, Inc., which was the merger of two regional cooperatives in Ohio, Farmers Grain & Supply and Landmark. George worked in the program for five years before being named the CEO of Ada Farmers Exchange, a position he held until 1996.
George has three children, a son-in-law and three grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Precision Solutions Specialist / Data - Crestline Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Service / Office Assistant
Job Titles:
- Truck Driver / Custom Applicator
Job Titles:
- Delivery Driver / Grain Operations
Serving as an at-large representative and Assistant Secretary on the Sunrise Cooperative Board of Directors from Auglaize County is James Metzger. James previously served on the board for the predecessor Trupointe Cooperative.
Based out of Wapakoneta, Ohio, James farms corn, soybeans and wheat. James and his wife, Corinne, have four children, Noah (17), Natalie (9), Samantha (8) and Trevor (4). James earned a bachelor of science degree in ag business. Aside from his time on the farm, and representing member-owners on the Sunrise board, James serves as the Clay Township Fiscal Officer. He is an active member of St. Marks Lutheran Church and the Ohio Farm Bureau. In his spare time, James enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
Working together is a key component of a cooperative system according to James. "When membership and the cooperative work together, we can maximize efficiencies and profits."
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Osgood Agronomy & Grain
Jason Kamann serves as the Vice President of Energy at Sunrise Cooperative. He has served in his current role since 2015.
Landing a place in the energy division at Sunrise began through the feed mill and delivering propane. He went on to operating an air machine in agronomy for three years before serving as an Energy Sales Consultant and Sales Manager. Before his time at Sunrise, Jason worked for Seven Limers in their blacktop division.
Jason and his wife, Mindy, live in Monroeville, Ohio. The Kamann family includes four sons, Hunter (18), Cole, Kiptyn and Beckett. Jason stays busy watching his sons activities, coaching football, hunting and fishing.
Job Titles:
- Feed Solutions Advisor - New Bremen Feed
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Uniopolis Agronomy & Grain
Job Titles:
- Safety & Risk Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Energy Solutions Advisor - Springfield Energy
Job Titles:
- Northern Maintenance Manager
Job Titles:
- Energy Support Specialist
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Uniopolis Agronomy & Grain
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Agronomy
Vice President of Agronomy is Jerry Miller. Jerry began in the cooperative system at the age of 18 and has never left. He has served as the VP of Agronomy for the last 11 years.
During his tenure in the cooperative system, Jerry has served in numerous capacities including: Custom Applicator, Branch Bookkeeper, Agronomy Sales, Branch Manager, Hub Manager, Sales Manager, Agronomy Manager and VP of Agronomy.
Jerry and his wife, Debbie, reside in Willard, Ohio. When not at Sunrise he enjoys spending time with his wife Debbie. He also finds time to travel, as well as takes time to take his boat out on the lake. Jerry is an avid Ohio sports fan. He is no stranger to Cavs, Indians, Browns and Buckeye football and basketball games.
Job Titles:
- Northern Sales Administrative Assistant
Job Titles:
- Grain Solutions Advisor - South Charleston Grain
Job Titles:
- Branch Manager / Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Osgood Agronomy & Grain
Job Titles:
- Propane Technician / Driver
Job Titles:
- Fertilizer Warehouse Manager
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Ballville Agronomy & Feed
Term Expires: 2022 Serving as vice-chairman of the Sunrise Cooperative Board of Directors is John Lowry. John represents District One from his Wapakoneta, Ohio farm located in Auglaize County. Dedicating over 30 years of service to the cooperative board, John held the role of Chariman of the board and also held the role of chairman at the predecessor Trupointe Cooperative, as well as serving on the Auglaize Farmers and Advanced AgriSolutions boards.
Job Titles:
- Energy Solutions Advisor - Wilmington Energy
Job Titles:
- Truck Driver / Operations
Job Titles:
- Fertilizer Warehouse Manager
Job Titles:
- Precision Solutions Specialist / Data - Crestline Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Chemical Warehouse Manager
Job Titles:
- Associate Grain Accountant
Job Titles:
- Operation / Location & Seed Personnel
Job Titles:
- Precision Solutions Specialist / Data - Starbuck Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Sales Trainee - South Charleston Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Office Manager / Seed Warehouse Manager
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Norwalk Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Ballville Agronomy & Feed
Job Titles:
- Precision Solutions Specialist / Data - Attica Agronomy & Feed
- Precision Solutions Specialist / Data - Norwalk Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Uniopolis
Job Titles:
- Operations / Truck Driver
Term Expires: 2024 Kirk Walker of Clinton County represents District Two on the Sunrise Cooperative Board of Directors. He brings over 27 years of board experience from time served on three predecessor cooperative boards: Clinton Landmark, Southwest Landmark and Trupointe Cooperative.
Job Titles:
- Energy Solutions Advisor - Norwalk Energy
Job Titles:
- SPS Equipment Technician - South Charleston Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Truck Driver / Custom Applicator
Job Titles:
- Chemical Warehouse Manager
Serving as Administrative Assistant for Sunrise Cooperative is Laura Nold, a position she has held since 2009.
Laura's professional background is multi-faceted, including experience in grain accounting at Country Star Cooperative (2008), and knowledge of data entry and experience as a Customer Service Manager at Carlisle Engineered Products. Her professional career began at MTD in the order entry department and as an Assistant to Department Manager.
She resides in Shelby, Ohio with her husband, Jeff, and they have a son, Curtis. Laura earned an Associate's Degree in business management from North Central State College. In her spare time, Laura enjoys reading, crafts, home remodeling and spending time with her family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Sales Trainee - Ballville Agronomy & Feed
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - South Charleston Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Grain Solutions Advisor - Clarksfield Grain & Feed
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Starbuck Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Intern - Starbuck Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Intern - South Charleston Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Accounts Receivable / Credit Assistant
Job Titles:
- Fertilizer Warehouse Manager
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - South Charleston Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Grain Solutions Advisor - Fremont Corporate Office
Job Titles:
- Corporate Relations Assistant
Job Titles:
- Precision Solutions Specialist / Data - Ballville Agronomy & Feed
Job Titles:
- Account Receivable / Credit Assistant
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Crestline Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Equipment Technician
- SPS Equipment Technician - Attica Agronomy & Feed
Job Titles:
- Safety & Risk Coordinator
Mike Kocher is representing District 3 on the Sunrise Cooperative Board of Directors. He resides in Marion County. Mike also served on the predecessor Sunrise Cooperative and Country Star boards.
MKB Farms Ltd. and Kocher Livestock LLC is based in Galion, Ohio. The farming operation raises corn, soybeans, wheat and hay, while feeding 800 head of fat cattle. Mike earned an associate's degree in livestock production from The Ohio State University-ATI. He is active with the Ohio Corn Grower's Association, Ohio Soybean Association, Ohio Cattleman's Association and the Marion County Farm Bureau.
The Kocher family is comprised of Mike and his wife, Brenda, along with children, Heather (29) and Nick (27). Joining the immediate family is Heather's husband, Sam, and their daughter Ellie (4) and son, Emmet (1.5), along with Nick's wife, Becca, and their daughter, Lucy (2). In his free time, Mike enjoys spending time with family and friends, camping, travelling and playing cards.
Mike feels that the products, service and people that the cooperative provides brings value to not only his operation, but all member-owners. "The cooperative is a business set up to give me products that are important to my operation at a reasonable price with all the research and knowledge behind them to be profitable. The employees are some of the best in the business and it is a company that positions itself to have the product available when needed. The cooperative is always striving to bring the latest technology and to be here for the customer in the future."
Job Titles:
- Grain Solutions Advisor - Fremont Corporate Office
Job Titles:
- Grain Solutions Advisor - Crestline Grain
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Uniopolis Agronomy & Grain
Job Titles:
- Precision Solutions Specialist / Data - South Charleston Agronomy
- Precision Solutions Specialist / Equipment - Uniopolis Agronomy & Grain
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Marketing
Overseeing marketing and event planning at Sunrise Cooperative is Vice President of Marketing Morgan Niedermier. Morgan previously directed agronomy marketing and administration efforts at Sunrise.
Morgan earned a M.S. degree in communications and information systems in 2006 from Robert Morris University, along with a B.S. in sport studies, minor in marketing, in 2004 from St. John Fisher College. Her background consists of marketing, media relations, website oversight and event planning. She began her professional career as Sports Information Director (2006-2011) at Heidelberg University before joining the Sunrise team as an Agronomy Administrative Assistant in 2011.
A resident of Attica, Ohio, Morgan and her husband, Derek, have two daughters, Adalyn and Kailyn. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching OSU, Cleveland CAVS and Indians games, while staying active herself.
Job Titles:
- Custom Applicator / Operations
Job Titles:
- Precision Solutions Specialist / Equipment - Attica Agronomy & Feed
Job Titles:
- Chemical Warehouse Assistant Manager
Job Titles:
- Energy Solutions Advisor - Norwalk Energy
- Service Crew Leader
Job Titles:
- Office Support Specialist
Job Titles:
- Fertilizer Warehouse Assistant
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Ballville Agronomy & Feed
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Norwalk Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Energy Support Specialist
Job Titles:
- Energy Solutions Advisor - Bucyrus Energy
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Starbuck Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Accounts Receivable / Credit Assistant
Job Titles:
- Office Support Specialist
Job Titles:
- Office Manager
- Skylr Timbrook / Office Manager
Job Titles:
- Precision Solutions Specialist / Equipment - Starbuck Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Member & Corporate Relations
Serving as the Vice President of Member and Corporate Relations of Sunrise Cooperative is Tammy Myers.
A graduate of Bellevue High School, Tammy began her career in the cooperative realm 23 years ago at River Springs Cooperative. Following a three-way merger in 1996 she moved into the position of Corporate Office Manager for Country Springs Farmers Cooperative. In 2007, Tammy continued as office manager for Sunrise Cooperative prior to moving into her current role in 2012.
Tammy, and her husband, Michael, have three children, Jason, Joshua and Jordie. Rounding out the Myers family is Joshua's children, Addyson and Carl, along with Jordie's husband, Jeff, and their three children, Blake, Madison and Luke. In her free time Tammy enjoys camping, riding bikes, cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes and spending time with her family.
Job Titles:
- Fertilizer Warehouse Assistant Manager
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Osgood Agronomy & Grain
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Norwalk Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Agronomy Solutions Advisor - Norwalk Agronomy
Job Titles:
- Precision Solutions Specialist / Equipment - Uniopolis Agronomy & Grain
Job Titles:
- Chemical Warehouse Manager
Job Titles:
- Fertilizer Warehouse Manager
Job Titles:
- PCT Northern Team Technical Sales Lead
Job Titles:
- Precision Solutions Specialist / Data - Uniopolis Agronomy & Grain
Job Titles:
- Custom Applicator / Operations