18 SOURCE | Spring 2023
Jim Spradlin Receives Management Award
GROWMARK ’ s recently retired CEO , Jim Spradlin , received the Robert B . Engel Farmer Cooperative Manager of the Year Award at this year ’ s National Council of Farmer Cooperatives ( NCFC ) annual meeting . The award was created to recognize outstanding achievement and commitment to cooperative principles by co-op managers across the country .
“ It was a really nice surprise ,” said Spradlin . “ Having served as Chairman of NCFC , I know the steps from submission of a nominee to selection of an award recipient is quite robust . So , I ’ m very appreciative to everyone at NCFC and GROWMARK who contributed to the process . It was a most enjoyable experience for me to attend this year ’ s NCFC Annual Meeting and to catch up with so many family friends and colleagues .”
The award and its associated charitable donation are made possible by a generous donation by CoBank in honor of their former CEO , and the former chairman of NCFC , Bob Engel .
Entrants were judged by a panel of leaders from the farmer co-op and cooperative education sectors . Criteria for judging included understanding the power of the co-op model ; delivering solid financial results and benefits to farmer-owners ; fostering a culture of excellence within their workforce ; communicating effectively both within and outside the co-op ; and contributing to community partners . In addition to being recognized at the meeting , a $ 10,000 contribution is made to a charity of the winner ’ s choosing . Spradlin chose the Illinois College Agribusiness Program , his alma mater .
“ It was a great privilege for me to serve as CEO of GROWMARK and to lend strong support to NCFC ,” added Spradlin . “ The impactful work of NCFC has long been highly beneficial to cooperatives across the USA . This award served as a tremendous capstone to my career .”
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National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
The impactful work of NCFC has long been highly beneficial to cooperatives across the USA . This award served as a tremendous capstone to my career .
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– Jim Spradlin , retired CEO GROWMARK , Inc ., and former Chairman of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives ( NCFC