Board in Place For Co-Op Merger
Rob Versprille will chair the new board of directors.
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe merger of two agricultural cooperatives continues and the board of directors for the combined entity has been set. Wabash-based North Central Cooperative and Crawfordsville-based Ceres Solutions LLP will officially become Ceres Solutions Cooperative on September 1.
The co-ops announced the merger in December following approvals from their respective shareholders. The new board consists of 12 members, all of whom currently serve on the boards of either North Central or Ceres, and will be led by Rob Versprille of Noblesville.
The remaining board members include:
- David Bayne (Twin Lake MI)
- Rick Brubaker (Warren IN)
- Norm Gable (North Manchester IN)
- Dale Johnson (Clarks Hill IN)
- Rex Marchino (Vincennes IN)
- Howard Rippy Jr (Ladoga IN)
- Rick Risley (Kentland IN)
- Tom Schwenk (Rochester IN)
- Del Unger (Carlisle IN)
- Randy Waling (Rensselaer IN)
- Gary Wilson (Wabash IN)
"There was not much geographic overlap, so our employees have been reaching out to each other to tighten the service network we have across Indiana and up into Michigan," said Versprille. "We are certain to go to market stronger as one. Plus, we are fortunate; this partnership is between two financially sound, successful entities with two very like-minded cultures."
Ceres says local customers will continue to be served by the same local teams in the same locations. The only main difference, the co-op says, is a new logo on the North Central side.
Ceres Solutions Cooperative will serve more than 40,000 customers and nearly 9,000 farmers in Indiana and Michigan beginning next month.