Larry Hammond, president and CEO of Trupointe Cooperative Inc. in Piqua, Ohio, announced that he will retire on Aug. 31, 2016, just prior to the Sept. 1 effective merger date (GM March 11, p. 1) between Trupointe and Sunrise Cooperative, Fremont, Ohio. Hammond began his career in 1992 with Trupointe predecessor Auglaize Farmers. Under his leadership, Trupointe grew to more than 400 employees and 24 locations serving some 4,200 members across western Ohio and eastern Indiana. Trupointe said Hammond significantly increased the net worth of the company during his tenure, from $3 million in 1992 to $113.4 million in 2016.
George Secor, president and CEO of Sunrise, will continue as president of the newly combined co-op, which will operate under the Sunrise Cooperative name from corporate offices in both Fremont and Piqua. The combined business will operate more than 40 facilities with more than 400 full-time employees, and will begin operations with projected total sales of just under $900 million. Products and services will be provided in agronomy supply, animal nutrition, grain marketing, power fuels, propane, and turf and ornamental.