Propane/Fuel AccountOrder / Pay Account
Ag/Retail Account
Review Account
THE FEDERATED DIFFERENCE SETS US APART
Our people really care. Federated employees are often called high quality, friendly, professional, knowledgeable. They’re good people and they’re your neighbors, too. That’s a major point that differentiates Federated Co-ops from other businesses today. We live alongside you, and we take a personal interest in your life.
We offer our customers trusted products. Federated sells only dependable, safe, durable products and we deliver top value for your money. On top of that, you can always trust us to stand behind our products and services.
WE BUILD, INVEST, PARTNER TO ASSURE YOUR SUPPLY
No matter what changes and challenges you face, you can always count on your co-op as a reliable source of the products you need at a reasonable price. We negotiate the wholesale prices and handle the logistics to make sure farmers have a reliable source of fertilizer and other production inputs so they can concentrate on producing food. And as the 18th largest propane company in the U.S., we procure and store enough propane to ensure that your home, shop, or farm has the energy it needs.
We’re knowledgeable, and we’re local. And since we’re locally owned by the people who do business with us, we’re here to stay. These qualities add up to the Federated Co-ops Brand Vision and Brand Promise:
People who care. Products you trust. Value for life.
INVESTMENTS IN RELIABILITY
Federated Invests to Bring You Benefits
Agronomy, feed, petroleum, and propane form the roots of Federated Co-ops Inc. Our legacy and common heritage generated a cooperative that cares deeply for its member-owners. They reap the benefits of our investments in property, mergers and partnerships that spread risks, reduce costs, and improve supply reliability.
Propane
To provide a constant supply of propane we invested in a rail terminal in Cambridge in 2001. That facility provided a constant supply to all 25 Federated propane plants through recent dramatic shortages at head-of-pipeline truck terminals. Our 2007 merger with CAP-Trico Oil and Propane increased Federated propane sales by 30% and substantially increased the rail terminal’s value.
C-Stores and Country Stores
The increase in hobby farms, or lifestyle agriculture, offers significant opportunities to serve a wider clientele and increase sales volume. Your C-Stores and country stores meet growing consumer demand. And to make your stores the bright, clean, modern establishments that this growing non-traditional market demands, we’ve invested substantially in canopies, pumps, and buildings.
Fuel & Oil
We also shifted our petroleum division to improve efficiency and reliability by combining three bulk refined-fuels plants into a single facility at Ogilvie. Facilities in Pine City and the upgraded Cambridge location add efficiency, including tanks for biofuels, and they also meet current environmental requirements.
Agronomy
Federated added substantial new dry fertilizer storage to expand inventory to accommodate customers whether they buy during the year-end pre-buy season or during spring planting.
Animal Feeds
Our purchase of 10% interest in Munson Lakes Nutrition in Howard Lake has helped us hold down costs of most feed products during the recent dramatic increases in grain prices.
Leadership Teams & Board Of Directors
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Mike McMahon is the Chief Executive Officer. He began his career with Apex Oil Company in St. Louis, MO. From there he spent 12 years with Ralston Purina Company in St Louis and then 11 years with Frito-Lay in various high-level management & sales positions based in Minneapolis, MN. He was recruited to lead sales and operations at Tree of Life-based in St. Augustine, FL. Tree of Life is a distributor of Natural and Organic products. Mike joined the Co-op from Schwan Home Service based in Marshall, MN where he managed $1B in revenue and services to over 1.8 million customers in 48 states. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia with a BSBA-Finance.
Raquel started in the Federated Co-ops, Inc. system with Central Rivers Cooperative in 2000 and has worked through two mergers. Raquel has a BA in accounting, is a CPA and is a Member of the National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives.
Allan joined the Federated team in January 2016. Allan has over 30 years of experience designing and leading HR and Organization Development Programs within large and small organizations such as CHS Inc., 3M, Medtronic, and Netco Government Services/Harris Corporation. Prior to joining Federated, Allan worked at CHS Inc. as the National Director of Organization and Employee Development where he spent 7 years building and leading consulting services for member cooperatives across the country.
Education includes a bachelor’s degree and post-graduate work from the Minnesota Graduate School of Theology, University of St. Thomas, and certifications from the Society for Human Resources Management, Human Capital Institute, Meyers Briggs, DISC, and Predictive Index.
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 received 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 enjoys motorcycle riding and gardening and is a Deacon in the Catholic Church.
Resha started working for Federated Co-ops, Inc. in 2008 as a Customer Service Rep. In 2015 she became the Customer Service Supervisor then moved into the position of Customer Service Manager. Resha earned her accounting degree from St. Cloud Technical College in 2000. Prior to working at Federated, she held positions in customer service and accounts receivable. Outside of work Resha enjoys the outdoors, baking, and spending time with her family.
John Swanson is currently a Procurement Manager working with Ken O’Brien. He started as a Sales Agronomist at the Princeton Fertilizer Plant. He was later transferred to the Ogilvie Ag Center where he continued to work as a Sales Agronomist. He moved to Procurement in June of 2021. He has a B.S. in Agronomy from the University of Minnesota and is a Certified Crop Adviser.
Troy knows the importance of customer service and the importance of merchandising. With the cross section of retail experience from grocery, to the dollar channel, to mass merchandising stores, he will bring a fresh perspective to our business. He has great experience working with vendors to maximize the programs they deliver and ensuring we get the most for our dollars.
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.
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.
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.
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 has a small cash grain farm. In his free time, he enjoys sports and is involved in community organizations.
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.
Matt Kurtz manages the Rush City Agronomy Center. Matt began his career with Federated Co-ops Inc. in 2012 as counter sales then moved into custom application and sales and has been the manager since 2014. Prior to the co-op system Matt worked for the National Park Service in the maintenance, fire management, and law enforcement divisions and has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Matt enjoys hunting, fishing, and the opportunity to interact and learn from patrons on a daily basis.
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.
Brian Stolt manages the Cambridge 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 dairy farm.
Corey Nelson is the propane location manager at Princeton, Buckman, Annandale, Ironton, 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.
Dan Davidson is the propane location manager for 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 pilot's license.
Jason Karsky manages the Sandstone, Rock Creek and Danbury WI locations. Jason grew up near the Sandstone area. After graduating high school, he served four years in the US Army. Upon his completion of his service, he worked in the construction industry before deciding on a career in Truck Driving. Before coming to Federated he worked 12 years for a Fuel & Oil company located in Saint Paul. He started his career at Federated in 2014 as a Seasonal Sales representative and delivery driver out of our Sandstone Location. He went on the manage the sales department for 3 years prior to his current location manager's position.
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.
Bobby Nelson is the Propane Transportation Manager. 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 Moorhead State University and St. Cloud State University. He also was on the board of directors of the Minnesota Propane Gas Association.
Glenn Lood comes from a family of great cooperators who sold all their milk and marketed their cash grain through the regional co-ops. So, when his Dad stepped down from the Isanti Co-op board, Glenn readily agreed to replace him. Having served on the Central Rivers board and now as a Federated Co-ops director, Glenn sees much opportunity.
“We have a very strong co-op, and I can see great possibilities in both agricultural and energy marketing,” he states. “But we have to make sure we stay strong and don’t sit on our laurels.” Glenn would like to see Federated adopt more ground-breaking concepts, like the propane rail terminal at Cambridge. We have to look at the future and be innovative now that we’re a leader in our communities. Now, more than ever, we need to think outside the box to increase our market share and develop new markets for our products and develop new products for our market.” “We have the team and the resources and ability to get whatever we need to get this job done.”
Glenn, retired from dairying in 1996 and crop farming in 2007, now rents out much of his land but still raises corn, soybeans, hay, and wildlife food plots. He and his wife Karen, a registered nurse, have three adult children: one son and two daughters. Glenn enjoys volunteering at his church and in the community. Other passions he has are family, hunting, and antiquating.
“If you spend money on a product, you’re going to be using all the time, why not buy from a cooperative which you own, instead of a company whose owner is putting money in his pocket? When the customer is the owner, you’re putting the profits back in your own pocket,” reasons director Mike Wayrynen. Mike ran for the C.A.P. Oil and Propane board when his uncle retired from the board in 1988. He served as chairman for five years; and after the C.A.P. Tri-Co merger, he served as vice-chairman. He is currently vice-chairman on the Federated board.
Mike carried mail for 21 years and operated an insurance agency which he purchased from his uncle in 1989. He has been married to his wife, Darla for 42 years. Their daughter, Ranae husband Jason and their son live nearby. Mike and Darla’s son, Matt, and his wife Kindra Live on the family farm. “I’m proud that Matt is the fourth generation to live on the farm my grandfather homesteaded,” Mike says. Mike sold his agency four years ago, but still works part-time. His daughter, Ranae, is also an agent there. Mike says, “I still enjoy working with my clients, but I enjoy helping at the farm in my spare time. It’s also been an honor and a pleasure to have served on your cooperative board for the last 28 years.”
Ross Gerth is a fourth-generation farmer. Ross, along with his brother and mother, operate Gerth Farms, LLC, northeast of Princeton, MN. Together they raise corn and soybeans. Ross and Gerth Farms have a long history, going back to Princeton Co-op, Central Rivers Cooperative, and now Federated Co-ops. “We have always been a Co-op supporter and continue to purchase all our agronomy, propane, and fuel needs through Federated Co-ops,” states Ross.
For the past 16 years, Ross has worked full time as a Mechanical Designer in Elk River. Ross lives in Princeton with his wife Michelle and their son Grayson.
“Because I am mainly a bulk fuel customer, I believe I bring a different prospective to the board. I am honored to represent you on your Co-op board.”
Brad Rootkie lives in Brook Park and is a Logging Contractor. Brad has served 20 years as a Supervisor for Brook Park Township and has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Timber Producers Association since 2008. He also serves on the council board at his church. Brad started as a member of the Kanabec Co-op in 1984. Brad has been farming since the age of twelve and now lives on his grandfather’s farm with his wife Sherry, where his youngest daughter, Hallie, raises 4-H show cattle. His oldest daughter, Lindsey, attends the University of St. Thomas.
“Co-ops have always served farmers in this area,” says George Gimple. The director adds, “Now, in many cases, they’re the only ones left with the size and strength to serve us.” Private companies left the area as farms dwindled. “The co-op can get better deals on things because they are bigger and can afford to go out farther with services like spraying and feed delivery.”
George joined the Hinckley Co-op board 15 years ago. He continued to serve as Hinckley merged with Kanabec Co-op, which then joined others to create Federated Co-ops. In addition, George has served on his church board and as an AMPI delegate for 12 years. He has also driven school bus for 39 years and is now a Hinckley Township Supervisor. Asked why he ran, George says, “Someone has to try to be a spokesperson for our area.”
George, his father Clarence, and his brother, Thomas, operate a beef farm and grow corn, oats, and hay for sale. Their farm is officially recognized as a “Century Farm” by a regional program, documenting that their farm has been continuously owned by a single family for more than 100 years.
Director Mark Carlson has served on the Federated Board since 2007. Prior to the merger with CAP-Trico, he had served on the board since 1992. Mark appreciates the opportunity to contribute to a cooperative which provides quality staff, products, and services for the patrons.
Mark has been employed by the State of Minnesota for 43 years and is the director of a vocational program in Moose Lake that provides work opportunities for people with disabilities. Mark’s leadership experience is exhibited in his service as Silver Township clerk, Covenant Church Council chair, and Moose Lake/Willow River high school varsity softball coach. Mark has been married for 43 years to his wife Lucia. They operate a small Angus cow/calf operation, which has been in the family since 1892. The couple have three daughters, a son, and seven grandchildren.
Todd Steffen ran for the Kanabec Co-op board in 1999 because he had an investment in the co-op. “I thought I would take my turn and help run it,” he states. He adds, “When you’re a farmer looking in, you wonder why they do the things they do.” Now that he has served on Federated Co-ops board since 2000, he understands those decisions better. “The co-op needs to survive to continue serving its members,” he states.
Having also served as a township supervisor and as chairman of the planning commission, Todd believes co-ops are still important. “True, the company has grown, and the customer base is more diversified,” says Todd; “but Federated Co-ops is still a good company that looks out for the patron. “They give the profits back to the customer, and that’s something a private business doesn’t do,” he points out.
Todd and his dad Bob raise corn, beans, wheat, and feeder cattle on a farm south of Mora. He and his wife Sharon have three daughters: Chelsea, Katie, and Mariah.
Clark along with his brother Chris own and operate Anderson Farm, Inc., and Anderson Farm Trucking LLC. The family business has one full time employee and gets help from Chris’ son Nick and Clark’s two sons Dean and Dale. They grow corn, soybeans, and hay. In addition to the crops, they also have a beef cow heard and finish out cattle.
Clark has been farming for over 40 years in the Princeton area. He is a member of the Isanti County Soil and Water Council. He is married to his wife Julie who is a school teacher. In addition to their two sons, Clark and Julie have two daughters Kari and Jill. The Co-op has supplied the Anderson’s their agronomy and energy needs for over 40 years.
