The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. has announced that Mark Baker has been named president and chief operating officer, effective Oct. 1. Baker, who will oversee all business units and operating functions, has been a member of the company’s board of directors since 2004. Most recently, he was president and CEO of Gander Mountain, a leading outdoor retailer. Prior to Gander Mountain, he was an executive with The Home Depot from 1996 to 2001. He served in various roles during his tenure there, including regional president, chief merchandising officer, and chief operating officer.
Baker will remain on the company’s 12-member board, but will step down from his roles on the governance & nominating committee, as well as the compensation & organization committee. Reporting to Baker will be Barry Sanders, executive vice president North America; Claude Lopez, executive vice president international and chief marketing officer; and Mike Lukemire, executive vice president of global technologies and operations. Baker will report directly to Jim Hagedorn, chairman and CEO, as will the chief financial officer and the leaders of global human resources, legal, and corporate compliance.
Growmark Inc. recognized five FS member cooperatives and their managers for business performance improvement during the company’s annual meeting in Chicago Sept. 9. The cooperative with the highest degree of improvement was Vineland Growers Co-operative Ltd. of Jordan Station, Ont. George Mitges is the manager and Phil Tregunno is president.
Ranking second was Stephenson Service Co. of Freeport, Ill., with Jay Kempel, general manager, and Keith Meier, president. In third place was Agriland FS Inc. of Winterset, Iowa, John Knobloch, manager, and Bob Adkins, president.
Ranking fourth was AgriPride FS Inc., Nashville, Ill., with Carl Tebbe, manager, and Randy Newcomb, president. In fifth place was Thunder Bay Co-operative Farm Supplies of Thunder Bay, Ont., Ben Postuma, manager, and Arnold Breukelman, president.
Agriland FS Inc. General Manager John Knobloch received the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Management from Growmark Chairman Dan Kelley at the annual meeting. The award is the highest honor Growmark bestows to member cooperative managers who have achieved outstanding results in the following management categories: percent or dollars of sales increase, credit administration, operating expense efficiency, and return on invested capital.
Growmark also honored three individuals with the “Friend of Growmark” awards. They included Dr. Arley Larson, Northwest Missouri State University; Steve Morain, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation; and Dr. Dixie Mills, Illinois State University. “The award is given to individuals and organizations for their contributions to the well-being of cooperatives or other facets of agriculture,” said Jim Hoyt, Growmark vice president of strategic planning and corporate services.