The Board of Directors of Southern States Cooperative has hired Jeff Stroburg as the new president and CEO, effective May 4, 2015. Stroburg succeeds Tom Scribner, who will retire.
Stroburg, recently retired from West Central Cooperative, has led profitable growth and successfully navigated major change throughout his more than 25 years in CEO roles at West Central Cooperative, Renewable Energy Group, Countrymark Cooperative, and Hamilton Farm Bureau Cooperative.
"Jeff's extensive experience in agricultural cooperatives has prepared him well for this role and provides a solid foundation for the continued growth and success of Southern States," says Board Chairman Raleigh Ward of Effingham, South Carolina. "We look forward to the experience and energy he will bring to the table and the continued success of the cooperative going forward."
Stroburg served as president and CEO of West Central Cooperative for 16 years, and successfully led it to more than $700 million in sales and consistent profits. He led the spinoff of the company's biodiesel business in 2006 to form the Renewable Energy Group (REG), which now trades publicly on the NASDAQ. He remains as REG's board chair. In addition, he has served on several boards and associations, including CF Industries, the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, and the Graduate Institute for Cooperative Learning (GICL). A graduate of Iowa State University, Stroburg was raised on a farm in southern Iowa, and will relocate his family to Richmond, Virginia, from their current home in Iowa.
"Southern States is one of the nation's largest farmer cooperatives and their approach to innovative business solutions for their members has always impressed me" Stroburg stated. "I'm honored and excited to have the opportunity to join the team and be a part of the cooperative's future growth."
"I'm very pleased and fully support the board's selection of Jeff," said Scribner. "Jeff brings experience in many different business segments and understands the nature and business philosophy of cooperatives. I'm confident of his leadership capabilities to keep our cooperative moving forward and I congratulate the board on their selection."
Southern States is a Richmond, Virginia-based farm supply and service cooperative, founded in 1923, and now comprises more than 200,000 farmer-members. As one of the nation's largest agricultural cooperatives, it provides a wide range of farm inputs, including fertilizer, seed, livestock feed, pet food, animal health supplies, and petroleum products, as well as other items for the farm and home. The cooperative serves its members and non-member customers through 1,200 retail outlets in 23 states.
