CHS has announced the pending retirements of three executives: Tom Larson, 62, executive vice president-Business Solutions, and Leon Westbrock, 63, executive vice president and chief operating officer-Energy, both retiring Oct. 29; and John Schmitz, 59, executive vice president and chief financial officer, retiring Dec. 31.
It was announced earlier that CHS President and CEO John Johnson, 62, plans to retire Dec. 31 (GM June 28, 2010). The search committee of the CHS board of directors remains on track with its process to name a new CEO, with an announcement expected prior to the farmer-owned cooperative’s annual meeting Dec. 2-3, 2010.
“This is a time of transition for CHS that we have anticipated with considerable preparation,” Johnson said. “Our comprehensive talent development efforts have provided the company with candidates with the depth of experience and leadership skills to succeed these individuals. The company has a clear strategic direction, developed with involvement from dozens of members of the current management team, all of which will enable the company to pursue its long-term goals and continue adding value for its stakeholders.
“And, in making their personal decisions to retire, Leon, Tom, and John also recognize that it is in the best interest of the company and its stakeholders to enable the new CEO to name their own leadership team.”
Larson’s background at CHS was in agronomy. He started out as an agriculture teacher before joining the former Cenex agronomy sales staff, later managing the local cooperative at Hoffman, Minn. He returned to the regional co-op in 1978 and held positions in marketing and planning, was director and later vice president of agronomy services for the former for Cenex/Land O’Lakes Agronomy Co., and led the former Cenex Supply and Marketing retail unit. He assumed his current position in 2005.
Israel Chemicals Ltd. announced that Amnon Sade, a director for the past 11 years, tendered his resignation effective Oct. 4.
Rentech Inc. has appointed Tom Samson as executive vice president and chief development officer, effective immediately. He will be responsible for Rentech’s project development and construction, technology licensing, and commercial affairs. Samson has more than 20 years of experience in development and management of power and utility projects, and in executive management of operating power companies. The majority of his career has been spent at Marubeni Corp. in the U.S., Europe, the Caribbean, and Abu Dhabi. This included serving as president and CEO of Marubeni TAQA Caribbean, a partnership of Marubeni and Abu Dhabi National Energy Co. (TAQA). He holds an honors degree in Energy Engineering from Napier University and is a Chartered Engineer and member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.