Jul 6, 2017

Michigan-based CherrCo announces management transition

James Seaquist, chairman of the board of directors, announced July 6 CherrCo has begun the process of transition of senior management of the cooperative. At the June 22, 2017 meeting of the Board of Directors held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Edward Surber was elected president of the organization.

According to a news release, Surber previously held various senior management positions during a 14-year career with Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds (formerly Paramount Farms) in Lost Hills, California. Surber and his family have relocated to Ludington, Michigan.

James Jensen will assume the position of president emeritus after having served for over 20 years as president of CherrCo.  Jensen will work with Surber to assist in this management transition and will retire in January 2018 after working in the N. American cherry industry for 56 seasons.

CherrCo, founded in 1997, is a federated cooperative serving the tart cherry industry. It provides administrative, financial and other management services to its members who produce a majority of the tart cherries grown in North America. These member cooperatives represent growers in the states of Michigan, New York, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin in addition to the province of Ontario. CherrCo, Inc. also provides management services to other cooperatives in the tart cherry industry and operates from offices in Ludington.

Source: CherrCo