Tradition Holds True For ARA Awards Recognition
As the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) ushers in 2021, we have taken a moment to reflect on the good that came of 2020—the year that will not be forgotten. For the first time ever, the ARA Conference & Expo was held virtually. As an association, we committed to bringing you the same top-notch content and experience that you would have expected of the in-person event. If you missed participating in the conference, then registration is still available to view all sessions’ recordings.
One tradition not lost in the virtual world was honoring those who have given tirelessly to the ag retail industry and ARA.
Industry Focus Above Individual
John Oster of Morral Companies received the ARA Distinguished Service Award for his support of the association and the agricultural retail industry.
“Receiving this recognition is one of the high points of a long career in this business,” Oster says. “I couldn’t be prouder of an award than I am of this.”
Oster served on the ARA board of directors from 2013 to 2019, entered the officer rotation in 2016 and served as chairman of the board in 2018.
“John has always been the biggest supporter and recruiter for membership in ARA,” says ARA president and CEO Daren Coppock. “His support of membership recruitment has continued beyond his time in ARA leadership roles and is the main reason he was selected for this award. Of course, his contributions to the ag retail industry reach beyond ARA, as he is also an active supporter of the Ohio AgriBusiness Association.”
Selected by the ARA executive committee, the ARA Distinguished Service Award honors individual members of the association who have gone above and beyond the traditional volunteer responsibilities.
Once In A Lifetime
Johnny Council of Grow West was honored with the Jack Eberspacher Lifetime Achievement Award at his own ceremony in California. Council received ARA’s highest individual honor for his steadfast contributions to ARA activities and his role in fundamentally advancing the ag retail industry.
“It is truly an honor to be recognized for this award,” Council says. “I’ve had a great career with our company and ARA, so it means a lot to receive an award like this. The one thing I know for sure is that it wasn’t me alone but the people around me that allowed this even to be possible. I accept this prestigious award on behalf of them.”
On the ARA board of directors from 2005 until 2014, Council served in various leadership roles, including chairman of the public policy committee and chairman of the board in 2013. His leadership in Grow West and its legacy companies contributed greatly to Grow West being recognized as the ARA Retailer of the Year in 2011.
“Johnny has always been willing to take on challenges facing the association and the industry,” Coppock says. “He was chairman of the board when the first concepts that led to ResponsibleAg were being developed. This industry-led initiative now has more than 2,500 locations registered in the program, and half of those have achieved certification. Fourteen of those participating locations are Grow West sites, and five of those have achieved certification. Johnny has been a true leader, and we are thrilled to present this well-deserved recognition.”
The ARA Lifetime Achievement Award was established in 2001 and renamed in 2010 to honor the late Jack Eberspacher, who served as ARA president and CEO from 2001 until his death in 2009.
New Leading Voices
The purpose of the Rising Stars program, sponsored by Atticus, is to develop and hone participants’ leadership skills while providing a platform for ARA and its member companies to reward top performers for going above and beyond. New this year was incorporating the ARA Navigator 360° online leadership assessment tool, which details a leader’s skills levels and ability to use those skills appropriately when needed.
2020 Rising Stars:
- Matthew Comrey, Wilbur-Ellis
- Kelley Davenport, Old World Industries LLC
- Adam Lassiter, Southern States Cooperative
- James Levos, CHS Inc.
- Steve McCarthy, Valley Agronomics LLC
- Ethan Morton, Compass Minerals
- Steven Rush, Brandt Agronomic Services LLC
- Amanda Callahan, Valley Agronomics LLC
- Tanner Skattum, CHS Inc.
- Jordan Thiel, CHS Inc.
- Trevor Varilek, CHS Inc.
- Logan Williams, Brandt Agronomic Services LLC
ARA is grateful for the support of these outstanding individuals and member companies who have played an important role in the work accomplished in 2020.
