As we look at the year ahead, let us reflect on some of the leaders who have shaped today’s ag retail industry. Just a month ago, more than 600 industry professionals gathered for the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) Conference & Expo where the attendees commemorated career-spanning contributions of some of the legacy leaders in the ag retail space.
ARA Excellence in Advocacy Award
Joey Caldwell, GreenPoint Ag, took home ARA’s Excellence in Advocacy Award for engaging ARA’s public policy committee and advocating in support of ag retailer needs.
“It is truly humbling to be recognized by my peers for advocating for a cause greater than myself,” Caldwell says. “Having grown up on a farm and dedicating 42 years to the agricultural retail industry, I am deeply passionate about championing our industry and rural farming communities. Every voice matters, and I believe we must all embrace the call: ‘If not me, then who will speak for the importance and needs of the agricultural community?”’
Caldwell also serves on ARA’s board of directors and member services committee, and he is vice chair of the conference planning committee.
This award spotlights an ARA member for surpassing expectations in grassroots advocacy to educate lawmakers and regulators about the invaluable support ag retailers offer their farmer-customers.
ARA Retailer of the Year Award
Buttonwillow Warehouse Company (BWC) was named the 2024 ARA Retailer of the Year, which is an award sponsored by Bayer and The Scoop to honor an ARA member-retailer company or individual that displays effective employee relations, environmental stewardship, customer reliability and more.
“I’m honored to accept this award on behalf of the entire team at Buttonwillow Warehouse Company,” says BWC chief operating officer Clay Houchin. “Our company’s decades-long legacy of putting people first has enabled us to consistently meet the evolving needs of growers while fostering a world-class workforce contributing to the prosperity of the communities we serve.”
Nominations for this award will open in the spring on the ARA website.
ARA Jack Eberspacher Lifetime Achievement Award
ARA’s top individual honor went to Ernie Chappell for his decades of leadership and service on the ARA board and other committees.
“Aside from any contributions of innovation to help ag retailers from my business activity, it has been particularly rewarding to work alongside them as we strive to strengthen ARA,” Chappell says. “I’m proud of the progress achieved in strengthening ARA with fellow board members, and I am humbled to have been selected for this award.”
Nominated by peers, the ARA executive committee selected Chappell for the ARA Lifetime Achievement Award, which was renamed in 2010 to honor the industry impact of the late Jack Eberspacher, who was ARA’s president and CEO from 2001 until his death in 2009.
Chappell, who founded EFC Systems in 1988, has played a key role in the ag technology sector. In 2021, EFC Systems became the agribusiness division of Ever.Ag, further expanding its impact on the industry.
ARA Distinguished Service Award
Growmark’s Rod Wells was honored with the Distinguished Service Award for making the industry better for all. Nominations were submitted by peers and selected by ARA’s executive committee for this award, which honors individual members who are exceeding the traditional responsibilities of supporting our industry.
“Being recognized by ARA as a Distinguished Service Award recipient is a career highlight,” Wells says. “ARA is the only national association that is focused exclusively on the needs of U.S. ag retailers, and the ARA team tirelessly educates and advocates on our behalf.
“My time as member of the board of directors and, eventually, chairman led to the cultivation of lifelong industry relationships, positioned me for career advancement and built valuable leadership skills that I continue to use each day. I encourage ag retailers everywhere to join if they are not currently members and to actively participate in ARA advocacy efforts in support of our noble industry.”
ARA Rising Stars
The 2024 ARA Rising Stars lined up to be cheered on by the crowd. The theme “Empowering Leadership through the Next Frontier” was reflected in each of the videos created by these emerging leaders as part of the award program.
The value of the Rising Stars award, sponsored by Atticus, doesn’t end at the conference. Rising Stars complete the ARA Navigator 360° assessment to identify hidden talents related to their companies’ needs. Developed for ag leaders by NuVue LLC, this tool empowers organizations to thrive in challenging times by developing effective leadership.
The 2024 Rising Stars class members are as follows:
- Garrett Alan Asmus, Asmus Farm Supply Inc.
- Tyler Blackburn, GreenPoint Ag
- Daniel Bonetti, Grow West
- Trey Colley, GreenPoint Ag
- Leah Cook, River Valley Cooperative
- Lane Danielson, Growmark Inc.
- Hannah Davis, Keystone Cooperative
- James Draper, Stueve Construction
- Abel Elwell, Willard Agri-Service
- Jake Freeman, International Raw Materials
- Brooke Grieder, Growmark Inc.
- Lane Hacker, Keystone Cooperative
- Ben Henson, GreenPoint Ag
- Zach Jensen, Easy Automation Inc.
- Brandon Justice, GreenPoint Ag
- Jared Myers, Keystone Cooperative
- Chase Porter, Southern States Cooperative Inc.
- Kyle Pulley, Keystone Cooperative
- Blaine Rohlk, Keystone Cooperative
- Katelyn Schwiderski, Growmark Inc.
- Kolin Sukovaty, New Century FS
- Brent Tinkel, Keystone Cooperative
- Aaron Villicana, Keystone Cooperative
- Benjamin White, GreenPoint Ag
- Ben Wiatt, Keystone Cooperative
- Darren Wiatt, Keystone Cooperative
- Jason Wilkins, Southern States Cooperative Inc.
- Eric Winans, Brandt
- Joseph Woods, MFA Incorporated
