Growmark names new CEO
Jim Spradlin, Morton, Ill., has been named CEO of Growmark Inc., effective Sept.16, 2014. He replaces Jeff Solberg who will retire in September.
“Selecting a CEO to lead GROWMARK’s management team is among the most important and impactful decisions the board can make,” said John Reifsteck, Growmark chairman of the board and president. “Jim has the skills, knowledge, experience, and support to successfully lead Growmark into the future. The board has great confidence in him and his ability to lead the multitude of talented employees throughout the Growmark System.”
Spradlin is a 1982 business administration and economics graduate of Illinois College, Jacksonville, Ill. He has held various positions within the Growmark System of cooperatives, including controller of Schuyler-Brown FS, regional administrative director, general manager of Piatt Service Co., general manager of Ag-Land FS, and region manager (Central Ill.), energy division manager, agronomy division manager, and vice president of agronomy for Growmark. He is one of five members of the Purdue University Center for Commercial Agriculture’s Industry Advisory Council. He serves on the board of directors for The Fertilizer Institute, and is a former local director of Rotary International.
“Growmark and its FS member companies have a long-standing reputation as a progressive and reliable supplier of quality products and services, for being easy to do business with, and for its highly-trained employees who operate with integrity,” said Spradlin. “It is truly an honor to have the have support of the Growmark board of directors as we work together to guide the Growmark System.”
Growmark is a regional cooperative providing agriculture-related products and services, as well as grain marketing in 31 states and Ontario, Canada. It owns the FS trademark, which is used by affiliated member cooperatives.