Foremost logoMichael Doyle, president and CEO, announced the promotion of two individuals to his executive leadership team. Doyle began his new job on Oct. 1, following the retirement of Dave Fuhrmann.

"The future of Foremost Farms will be driven by how well we use our technical and manufacturing expertise to deliver innovative products and services that help our member-owners and customers succeed in the years ahead," said Doyle. "It will require a disciplined approach grounded on innovation and operational excellence. The promotions are key to this approach and take effect immediately."

Hamm pictureJim Hamm has been appointed to the newly created position of vice president-strategy and business development. The creation of this new role brings together several key areas under one leader including strategic planning, business analysis and investments, and information services. Hamm will step into this role immediately and report to Doyle.

"As vice president, Jim will help advance our business by leading our strategic planning function and driving our ability to use data and technology to add value for our member-owners and customers," said Doyle.

Hamm joined Foremost Farms in 2008 as director of financial planning and analysis. He became director of strategic planning and investment in 2012. Prior to Foremost Farms, Hamm held a senior management position with a Minnesota-based private energy company.

Hamm began his professional career in 1976 with Land O'Lakes, Fort Dodge, Iowa, in the logistics area and moved into a finance role three years later handling general accounting and internal audit functions. He moved to the Twin Cities in 1982 after a promotion to financial analyst for the Fertilizer and Petroleum Supply Group. In 1988, Jim became manager of financial analysis for Land O'Lakes "New Ventures" involving mergers and acquisitions. Hamm eventually ended his tenure at Land O'Lakes as director of finance and controller for the Agriculture Services Group.

Hamm has a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, and is also a Certified Public Accountant. He and his wife, Bonnie, have three children. Both are active in their hometown church in Woodbury, Minn.

Graupman pixtMark Graupman has been promoted to vice president-finance. Graupman is currently director of finance and controller and has worked at Foremost Farms for 32 years.

"Mark has more than three decades of extensive experience with internal and external financial reporting and compliance with regulatory requirements and accounting principles. He has also overseen the appropriateness, accuracy and cost effectiveness of service levels provided to the cooperative by the accounting department," explained Doyle. "As vice president of finance, Mark will guide our financial and human resources functions into the future and bring continued stability to our members, employees and customers who count on us."

Graupman has been involved in the day to day finance and accounting functions overseeing a staff of 37. He has coordinated risk management activities and was instrumental in the development of business intelligence tools, the cooperative's Equity Investment Plan, and acquiring New Markets Tax Credit financing.

Graupman was promoted to director of finance and controller in 2012. Prior to that, Mark served as corporate controller and controller at Foremost Farms and predecessor Wisconsin Dairies Cooperative. He also served as vice president and controller of Stella Cheese and worked as a staff accountant and senior auditor at Price Waterhouse, Milwaukee, Wis., after college.

Graupman has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Carroll University and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1981. He is a trustee chair and head of the space planning committee for his church and is a treasurer and board member for the Sauk County Historical Society. Mark and his wife, Barb, live in Baraboo. The couple have two grown children.

Foremost Farms USA (www.foremostfarms.com), headquartered in Baraboo, Wis., is a farmer-owned milk processing and marketing cooperative with annual sales of $1.8 billion. The nation's sixth-largest cooperative and number 25 in annual sales among the Top 100 U.S. dairy processors, Foremost Farms is a leading manufacturer and marketer of cheese, specialty whey ingredients, butter and bulk fluid milk to customers around the world.
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10.20.2014