Management Bios
GENERAL OFFICE
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Tim Kavanaugh is General Manager. He started in the Federated system with Princeton Cooperative and then served as general manager of Central Rivers Cooperative. Tim previously was general manager of Blanchardville Cooperative in Wisconsin, Ottertail Cooperative in Fergus Falls, and Farmers Cooperative in Hayfield, MN. He was in the U.S. Navy from 1966-1970 as a petty officer. He attended Brainerd Junior College, Univ. of Minn., and Univ. of Minn., Morris. Tim is a member and past president of Rotary International, president of MIK Trucking Association, Munson Lakes Nutrition, and past board member of Federated Propane.
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Mike Meelberg is the operations manager. Mike started with Federated Co-ops, Inc. as the Princeton Agronomy Manager and became Operations Manager in 1991. Mike earned a degree in Agronomy Business.
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Dawn Meelberg
Administrative Services
& HR Manager
dmeelberg AT federatedcoops.com
763-389-2582
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Dawn Meelberg is the Administrative Services and Human Resources Manager. Dawn started her employment in the Federated system with the Central Rivers Cooperative in October 1997 and continued through the consolidations and mergers. Previously, she was the Information Systems Coordinator for Crystal Cabinet Works, Inc. located in Princeton. Dawn received a degree at the Cambridge/Anoka Community College and at St. Cloud University. She is a certified Professional in Human Resources with the Society of Human Resources Management.
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Raquel Ulmer is the controller. She started in the Federated Co-ops, Inc. system with Central Rivers Cooperative in 2000 and has worked through two mergers. Previously, Raquel worked in the health care industry. She has a BA in accounting, is a CPA and is a Member of the National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives.
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Tom Rausch is Safety Director. He started in the co-operative system during his high school years at Le Sueur Co-op Oil Assn. After high school, Tom recieved his BS at Mankato State University in Marketing and Management, he worked at Bay Lakes Cooperative and Oconto County Cooperative through the Midland Management Training and Program and then served as their Energy Division Manager. Tom started in the Federated System with Central Rivers Co-ops in February 1995 as assistant branch manager at the Osceola Agronomy Center, became Petroleum Division Manager in the fall of 1996 and then became Safety Director of Federated Co-ops, Inc. in July of 2002. Tom coaches youth baseball and is a Deacon in the Catholic Church.
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RETAIL
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Tom Jackson is the Country Store Retail Division Manager. He began his history with Federated Co-ops, Inc. working in 1983 at the service station in Princeton and then as Hardware Store Manager, Ag Center Manager, Country Store Manager and finally as Retail Division Manager in 2007. Tom attended St. Cloud Tech. for accounting.
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Gene Schmitz is the C-store Retail Division manager. Gene started with Federated Co-ops, Inc. as the Chisago City Store Manager in December 2005 and became Division Manager in July 2006. He has ten years of prior experience as a manager in another c-store and twelve years with Family Style Restaurant. Gene completed a restaurant management program at Anoka Technical College.
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Bob Bailey
Pine City Lumber
Division Manager
bbailey@federatedcoops.com
320-629-2177 |
Bob Bailey manages the Pine City Lumber Division. Bob started in Pine City with Federated in 2001 and previously worked for Lambert Yards in Moose Lake, Cambridge and Sandstone.
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Betty Boll manages the country store/convenience store in Chisago City. She started with Federated in 2003 as a cashier, assistant manager and then as location manager. Prior to her career with Federated Co-ops, inc., Betty worked in health care with Regions Hospital, Fairview Lakes Regional Health Services and Chisago Lakes Health Services. She also worked for Super Valu. Betty has a degree in nursing.
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Carol Maciej manages the Isle C-Store. She started with the Federated Co-ops, Ins. system in 1990 as a night shift cashier in the Kanabec Co-op C-store in Ogilvie. Carol moved to Assistant Manager and then as a Manager in 1995, worked at the Cambridge Country Store and then started as C-store Manager in Isle in 2005.
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Byron Anderson is the Mora Country Store Manager. He started his career with Federated Co-ops, Inc. working as a Bulk Fuel Driver in 1981 for the Kanabec Co-op Association for 20 years until he transferred to his current position in 2001. Byron graduated the St. Cloud Technical College studying farm operation and management.
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Kevin was employed with Premier Communications and Rum River Mortgage before entering the retail trade with Target, Frito-Lay, and Albertson's in sales and management positions. Kevin became manager of the Princeton Country Store in the summer of 2008.
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Annette Clark is the Mora Convenience Store Manager in Mora. Annette started with the Federated Co-ops, Inc. system in 1982 in Hinckley and stayed with the partners through the various mergers.
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Paula Kaltenhauser
Rush City
C-Store Manager
pkaltenhauser@federatedcoops.com
320-358-3935 |
Paula worked as a cashier at the Isanti Country Store before becoming manager in October of 2008. She was employed with Integrity Plus, Minn. Department of Agriculture, and Unity Bank before coming to Federated Co-ops, Inc. Paula has an AA degree from Cambridge and a BA degree from Metro State College.
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Janet Salzer manages the St. Cloud convenience store. She started with the Federated Co-ops, Inc. system in 1995 as a deli manager and then became store manager in 1997. Janet previously managed a Woolworth restaurant for 13 years, managed a Tom Thumb store and was assistant manager at Arby’s. She graduated from St. Cloud Beauty College.
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Mandy Visser manages the Isanti Country Store. She began her cooperative career in June 1997 with Central Rivers Cooperative at the Pine City feed mill and agronomy center. In September of the same year she transferred to the feed division in Pease, where she worked for 10 years. In July 2007, she came to the Isanti Country Store as assistant manager, then became manager in January 2008. Mandy attended the University of Minnesota, Crookston, for three years in pursuit of a degree in animal industries management with a dairy science emphasis.
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AGRONOMY
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Craig Gustafson manages Federated Co-ops’ Eastern Agronomy division which covers Isanti, Rush City and Osceola. He started in 1976 working at a service station for Polk County Co-op, spent 14 years selling Midland and Land O’ Lakes branded livestock feed and spent 17 years serving in a variety of capacities in the agronomy field while working for Chisago Lakes Cooperative and Central Rivers Cooperative. Craig earned his Certified Crop Advisor certification in the late ninety’s. He finds it rewarding building relationships with livestock and grain farmers.
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Jim Barthel is the Western area agronomy division manager. He started in the Federated Co-ops, Inc. system with Wright County Co-ops in Albertville in January 1977. Jim has a degree from Anoka Vocational College in Agronomy business.
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Rod Gustafson is the Agronomy Center Manager in Albertville. He started with the Federated Co-ops, Inc. partners in 1993 as Assistant Manager in Albertville and became manager in 2001. Rod previously was a feed consultant for Arcadia Farmers’ Exchange, was a route salesman for Steiner Sales & Service in Baldwin and performed inspections for Hitchcock Industries. He has a B.S. in Agriculture Education from University of Wisconsin in River Falls.
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Tim Stelter manages the Osceola Agronomy Center. Tim began his career at Federated Co-ops, Inc. doing custom application for Central Rivers in 1995 and has been the Manager in Osceola since 1997. Prior to his employment in the cooperative system, he was a self employed dairy farmer. Tim attended University of Wisconsin in Madison taking the Farm and Industry Short Course. He also has been a Township Supervisor since 2002.
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Robert Rodrigue manages the Ogilvie Agronomy Center. He started in the co-operative system with Midland Cooperatives in 1979, then with Kanabec Cooperatives in 1996 and then in his current position in 2000. Robert previously worked as a supervisor at the Dennis Kirk Warehouse, with Consolidated Freightways and with National Packaging. Robert also served in the U.S Navy and operated a hobby farm. He attended Lakewood Community College and has a degree from the University of Minnesota in Agronomy and Plant Genetics.
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Ronald Paulson managed the Isanti Agronomy Location from 2000 through the present. He started with Winnebago Farmers Elevator in the Agronomy and Grain Division in 1984, then worked with Easton Grain as Location Manager and finally managed the Agronomy and Grain Division for the Dill Company in Mapleton before coming to Federated Co-ops, Inc. Ron holds an Ag Business Management Degree from Mankato State University.
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Harvy (Harv) Loss
Rush City
Ag Center Manager
hloss@federatedcoops.com
320-358-3292 |
Harvy (Harv) Loss manages the Rush City Ag Center. Harv started his history with the Federated Co-ops partners in 1996 as manager for Pine City Coop of the Braham Feed and Grain location. He then managed the Pine City Ag Center for Central Rivers Coop and then moved to his current position in 1998. Harv previously worked for Land O' Lakes as a livestock production specialist and has a degree in Animal and Plant Systems from the Univ. of Minn.
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Kenneth O’Brien started in the Federated Co-ops, Inc. system in Pine City as the feed and grain division manager. Ken also worked with the development of the retail Country Stores. He currently works with producers on crop input financing and developing risk management plans using crop insurance and grain marketing plans. Ken has also worked for the clear Lake Farmers Elevator, Loretto Feed and Seed and for Winsted Farmers Elevator. He has a B.S. degree in Soil Science from the Univ. of Minn and has a series 3 license as a Commodity Broker and is a Licensed Crop Insurance Agent.
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ENERGY
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Mark Grave is the Propane Operations Manager. Mark started with merged partner CAP Propane Plus in 1996 as service manager, became the propane department manager of merged partner CAP-Trico in 2000, and the Propane Operations Manager of Federated Co-ops in 2007. He holds a degree in heating, air conditioning and refrigeration from Northwest Iowa Technical College. Mark is a member of the Advisory Committee of Hibbing Community College RHAA program and a Captain of the Kettle River Volunteer Fire Department. Prior to working with Federated, Mark was a serviceman for Thermogas performing appliance and corn dryer repair, tank setting, and propane delivery.
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Bob Virnig
Area Sales Manager
virnigrj@centurytel.net
320-630-9549
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Bob Virnig started with Federated Co-ops, Inc. in May 2004 as Area Sales Manager. He served as General Manager of Buckman Co-op, of Sunrise Ag Co-operative and as Sales Manager at Northwestern Supply Company.
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Bobby Nelson is the Cambridge Propane Location Manager, M.I.K. Trucking Manager and Rail Coordinator. He started with Federated Co-ops, Inc. in 1987 in the Cambridge service department. Bobby advanced to Plant Manager and then to Propane Operations Manager. He left Federated in 2000 and returned in 2002 to manage the Osceola/Scandia propane locations. Prior to working at Federated, Bobby worked for Kluck Oil and Gas setting tanks, performing service work and delivering propane and fuel. Bobby attended Moorehead State University and St. Cloud State University. He also was on the board of directors of the Minnesota Propane Gas Association.
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Brian Stolt manages the Pine City propane location, starting here in 1996. He began his propane career as a delivery driver in 1989 and then managed a local propane location for a local co-op in 1992. Prior to his propane career, Brian worked construction, hauled canned milk and grew up working on a diary farm.
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Jim Gutzwiller manages the Mora, Glen and McGrath propane plants. Jim started his career with Federated Co-ops, Inc. in 1986 as a driver in St. Michael and managed the St. Michael plant before coming to his current location in 1993. Jim previously worked in a feed store in Rogers, MN. He also serves as a supervisor on the Knife Lake Town Board.
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Bill Wasko is the Gordon/Danbury Propane Location Manager. Bill managed this site for Cooperative Services, Inc. starting in 1969 and continued in this position when this site was purchased by Federated Co-ops, Inc. in 1994.
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Dan Saumer is the Propane Location Manager at Sandstone. Dan started his employment with Federated Co-ops, Inc. in February 2006 after retiring from active duty with the Minnesota Army National Guard. He has a degree in business management with an emphasis in leadership and management. Dan is active in the local Lions Club, Conservation Club, Knights of Columbus, Chamber of Commerce, Association of National Guard and is a Youth Firearms Safety Instructor.
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Don Rud is the Propane Location Manager at Osceola, Scandia and Almelund. He began his propane career with Skelgas in 1974 as a branch manager in Osceola, served many different management roles throughout his career in sales, marketing and operations with Ferrellgas, Thermogas and Osceola Oil Company. Don started with Federated Co-ops, Inc. in 2000.
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Corey Nelson is the propane location manager at Princeton, Buckman and Little Falls. Corey followed his father’s footsteps as a Federated Co-ops, Inc. employee by taking over his father’s propane route in 1979. He also performed a variety of duties such as tank setting, service repair and heating equipment installation. Corey started with the management team in the mid 1990’s and grew with the company through mergers and acquisitions. Prior to his employment with Federated Co-ops, Inc., Corey worked in the construction and farming industries.
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Dan Davidson the propane location manager for Ironton, Kettle River, McGregor and Meadowlands. He started with the merged partner C.A.P. Propane Plus in 1989 as a part time employee painting tanks. In 1992 Dan started full time in the HVAC department and became location manager in 2007. He attended Vermillion Community College for two years studying aviation and currently holds a pilots license.
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Jim Scherber manages the Annandale and St. Michael propane plants. He started working for Federated Co-ops, Inc. in 1996 working in Propane Sales Department for Federated Coops while working in the Agronomy Department for Central Rivers Cooperative in Albertville in the spring and later assisted in the Propane Service Department before managing the Annandale and St. Michael plants. Prior to this, Jim was the Propane Plant Manager for a neighboring co-op for five years.
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Brian DeVries manages the Bulk Fuels division out of Ogilvie and the MIK Liquid Fuels Transportation. He started with Federated Co-ops, Inc. in 2004. Prior to this, Brian was involved in the auto repair business with his wife and also in the gasoline station business prior to farming full time. He received an agri-business degree from North Hennepin Vo-tech. Brian still continues to carry out some farming activities in his spare time.
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Bruce Munter is Northern Refined Fuels, Cloquet, and Two Harbors Propane Manager. He started in the Federated system as comptroller and then general manager for Trico Oil & Propane Cooperative and as general manager of CAP-Trico Oil & Propane Cooperative. Bruce previously was employed by Collins Radio and Ernst and Ernst. He holds a B.S. from the Univ. of Minn., Duluth in accounting. Bruce serves as a director for Northland Funeral Home, MIK Trucking, Cloquet Racquetball Players Assn., is treasurer for Cloquet Gospel Tabernacle, and was Committee Chairman for Scout Troop 172.
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