CRI Announces Structural Reorganization


On the eve of the 20th anniversary of Cooperative Resources International (CRI), the agricultural holding cooperative headquartered in Shawano, Wis., has updated its structure creating a new senior management team.

CRI logo "In its first 20 years, CRI has already grown from a $32 million cooperative to a $165 million cooperative. The board of directors remains dedicated to an aggressive growth strategy, and this new structure will facilitate that growth," explains Doug Wilson, CRI CEO and Genex Chief Operating Officer.

The new structure includes the creation of a Business Development Division, charged with coordinating CRI business acquisitions, building domestic and global alliances, and managing external and internal research. This division will be led by Pete Giacomini, who has served as the Chief Operating Officer of CRI subsidiary AgSource Cooperative Services for the past 27 years.

Larry Romuald, one of the most recognized finance people in national cooperative business, will continue to serve as the CRI Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance. With the structure realignment, he also assumes responsibility for information technology.

Due to added concentration on employee development, retention and recruitment, a Human Resources Division has been newly created. Previously human resources was a function of the Finance Division. This division, under the direction of Ron Schmalz, will oversee employee benefit and safety programs, administer employee development and salary programs, and develop employee recruitment services.

Terri Dallas continues as the CRI Vice President of Information and Public Relations, charged with membership, public relations, customer service and web-based initiatives.

Huub te Plate remains the Vice President of International Marketing, a division which continues to undergo rapid growth through marketing efforts, acquisitions and alliance contracts.

Also on the senior management team will be a new AgSource Chief Operating Officer, for whom a search is currently underway. In the interim, Giacomini will continue to lead the CRI subsidiary while also attending to his business development responsibilities.

"This new structure and tenured team of capable individuals position CRI for years to come," states Wilson.

For more information about CRI, visit www.crinet.com.

CRI, a member-owned holding cooperative, is comprised of two subsidiaries: AgSource Cooperative Services and Genex Cooperative, Inc. The CRI mission statement summarizes the goal of CRI: "To provide products and services as effectively as possible to maximize the profitability of members and customers worldwide while maintaining a strong cooperative."

11.30.2012