June 22, 2010
CHS CEO Johnson to retire at year end
Press Release
CHS Inc., a leading energy, grains and foods company has announced that president and CEO John D. Johnson will retire effective December 31, 2010.
Johnson, 62, has led the nation's largest cooperative since June 2000. Johnson was president and CEO of Harvest States Cooperatives from 1995 until the June 1998 merger with Cenex, Inc., that formed CHS.
"Under John's leadership, CHS has become a leader in adding value for farmers, ranchers, rural communities and consumers around the world," said Michael Toelle, chairman of the CHS Board of Directors. "During his tenure, CHS has grown as a global grain marketer, strengthened producer connections to international and domestic grain markets and crop inputs, expanded value-added grain processing, and extended its US energy supply presence."
The CHS Board has named a succession committee which will conduct an extensive search for the company's next president and CEO among both internal and external candidates with a goal of naming a replacement prior to the cooperative's December 2, 2010, annual meeting, Toelle said.
"CHS has a well-established succession plan and talent management programme we are confident will enable us to select the right individual to lead this company to continued success in this dynamic global marketplace," he added.
Johnson began his career with former Harvest States in 1976 as a feed consultant in the GTA Feeds Division, later becoming regional sales manager, director of sales and marketing and general manager of GTA Feeds. He was named group vice president of Harvest States Farm Marketing & Supply in 1992, becoming Harvest States president and CEO in 1995. He currently serves on the boards of Ventura Foods, LLC, CF Industries, the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives and the Greater Twin Cities United Way.
