The Accelerated Genetics Board of Directors is pleased to announce the
selection for a new President and CEO. Joel Groskreutz, Reedsburg, Wisconsin, will assume his new role effective July
15, 2008. He
will work closely with Roger Ripley, the current Accelerated Genetics President
and CEO, to ensure a seamless transition prior to Ripley's retirement August
1, 2008.
Groskreutz comes to Accelerated Genetics
with a vast amount of experience within the agricultural industry, particularly
in sales, marketing, product development, budget administration and personnel
management. He will be able to utilize his broad management expertise in his
new role where he will provide positive and effective leadership for
Accelerated Genetics in the years to come.
Groskreutz is no stranger to Accelerated
Genetics. He spent an early portion of his career with the company performing
various leadership roles such as Field Representative, District Sales Manager,
Regional Sales Manager and finally Domestic Marketing Specialist, where he was
in charge of the membership market. Throughout his tenure at Accelerated
Genetics, 1987-1994, he was responsible for managing a large number of
employees and encouraging their sales efforts. He also coordinated various
marketing activities including training schools and was able to take an active
role in cooperative member meetings.
For the past 14 years, Groskreutz has
been employed at Ecolab, Inc., a well-known Fortune 500 company based in St. Paul, Minnesota. During his tenure there he held various
positions: Agri Specialist, District Manager, Vice President of the Eastern
U.S. Agri Sales and most recently the Vice President of Midwest and Western U.S. Agri Sales. Through his
assorted management roles, he was very successful in growing the company while
working closely with Ecolab's senior management group in determining current
and future direction of their business.
Working with key Accelerated Genetics' staff
members, Groskreutz will continue to drive genetic progress for the benefit of
cooperative members and all producers around the world by utilizing time-tested and
cutting-edge genomic sire selection criteria. He will lead Accelerated
Genetics' 20-year-old research subsidiary, Genetic Visions, Inc. through the
next phase of evolution including broad commercial implementation and
interpretation of bovine genome results. In addition, he will oversee the
continued development and growth of the Animal Health Products division at
Accelerated Genetics, further helping producers maximize their cattle's genetic
potential.
"The future looks bright for Accelerated Genetics and I am excited to
work with Joel leading the cooperative as we go forward," says Brian Brown,
Chair of the Accelerated Genetics Board of Directors.
Groskreutz's
passion for agriculture began at an early age. He was raised on a 640-acre
dairy near Wells, Minnesota where he and
his family milked 115 Holsteins. He graduated from University of
Minnesota-Waseca with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Animal Science. After
college, Groskreutz returned to the family dairy forming a partnership with his
father and brother.
Groskreutz and
his wife, Brenda, have four daughters, Brooke, Ashley, Brieana, and Amber. They
have lived in Reedsburg, Wisconsin for the last
19 years and have been extremely involved in the community. Groskreutz is a
member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church and was the
past President of the Board of Elders and the past President of the Board of
Christian Education. He also serves on the Reedsburg Area School Superintendent
Advisory Council and the Reedsburg Rotary Club. Furthermore, he has been a
leader within local youth sports organizations including Reedsburg Area Youth
Basketball - current and past President, Reedsburg Volleyball Club and
Wisconsin Power Club Volleyball.