Inver Grove Heights, Minn., USA - October 7, 2010, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., USA - CHS Inc., an energy and grain-based foods company, announces that Leon Westbrock, EVP and chief operating officer-Energy, and Thomas Larson, EVP-Business Solutions, will retire on October 29.
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Mr. Westbrock joined the cooperative system in 1976 and managed three local cooperatives before joining the regional system. At the regional level, Mr. Westbrock served in the Cenex Merchandising Department, later as Manager of the Lubricants Department and as Director of Retailing. Since January 1, 1987, he served as Vice President and Executive Vice President in the Petroleum Division of Cenex and CHS. He assumed his current responsibilities in 2000.
Mr. Westbrock received a bachelor's degree from St. Cloud State University, which has recognized him with an outstanding alumni award, and served a tour in the U.S. Army. In 2009, Mr. Westbrock was named Agribusiness Leader of the Year by the National AgriMarketing Association. He serves as board chairman of the National Cooperative Refinery Association and on the St. Cloud State University Foundation Board of Trustees.
Mr. Larson earned a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Education from South Dakota State University. Starting as a vo-ag teacher, he then took an agronomy sales position with the former Cenex and later managed the local cooperative at Hoffman, Minn., for two years.
Mr. Larson returned to the regional cooperative in 1978 and held positions in marketing and planning. He moved to Agronomy in 1987 and became director of Agronomy Services for Cenex/Land O’Lakes Agronomy Company in 1988. He was later named vice president of Agronomy Services until 1996 when he became vice president of Cenex Supply and Marketing which included overseeing the operation of more than two dozen Cenex-owned agricultural supply outlets.
Mr. Larson was named to his current position in January 2005, with an emphasis on programs and products that support the success of member cooperatives and other agribusinesses, as well as producers. His responsibilities include subsidiaries Ag States Group, Country Hedging Inc., and Cofina Financial, along with Business Solutions Consulting and the CHS Foundation.
He is also responsible for the communication and public/government affairs functions for CHS. He is active in the FFA organization and is a recipient of its Honorary American Degree. He serves on the boards of Ag States Group, Cofina Financial, LLC, Country Hedging Inc. and Norick LLC.
John Schmitz, EVP and chief financial officer, will retire on December 31.
Mr. Schmitz joined Harvest States in 1974 and has held a number of accounting and finance positions within the company, including divisional controller positions in country services, farm marketing & supply and grain marketing. In 1986, he was named vice president and controller of Harvest States, and served in that position up to the time of the merger with Cenex. In May 1999, he was named Chief Financial Officer for CHS.
Mr. Schmitz earned a bachelor of science degree in Accounting from St. Cloud State University, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Minnesota Society of CPA's and the National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives. He serves on the boards of directors of the National Cooperative Refinery Association (NCRA) and Multigrain.
CHS President and Chief Executive Officer John D. Johnson has announced his retirement effective December 31.
Mr. Johnson began his career with former Harvest States in 1976 as a feed consultant in the GTA Feeds Division. He progressed through the organization becoming regional sales manager, director of sales and marketing and general manager of GTA Feeds. He was named group vice president Harvest States Farm Marketing & Supply for Harvest States Cooperatives since 1992 and president and CEO of Harvest States in 1995. ■