Wisconsin Ag Connection - Oemichen to Retire From Cooperative Network

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Oemichen to Retire From Cooperative Network
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 04/29/2015

The long-time leader of Cooperative Network says he's getting set for retirement. Bill Oemichen, who has served as the group's president and CEO since 2002, announced he will step down from his post in October after 14 years with the association.

During Oemichen's tenure, the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives and Minnesota Association of Cooperatives unified into what is now Cooperative Network--forming the largest all-cooperative trade group in the nation.

He was also instrumental in drafting legislative efforts to enact the Wisconsin Dairy Investment Tax Credit in 2004, which helped bring about more than $2 billion in reinvestment into a struggling Wisconsin dairy industry. And CN helped create the Farmers’ Health Cooperative of Wisconsin in 2007 to provide the state's agricultural producers and agribusinesses affordable and quality health insurance and to stimulate health care marketplace competition.

"Bill has successfully led Cooperative Network through much change during his tenure, shaping it into the strong association it is today," said CN Board Chair Curt Eischens. "Cooperative Network is well positioned to continue to serve cooperatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and we look forward to bringing on new leadership to help us grow our future together."

Oemichen, who is a licensed attorney, previously served as head of the Wisconsin Division of Trade and Consumer Protection. Prior to this, he was deputy commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and was a staff member in both houses of the Minnesota Legislature as well as the U.S. House of Representatives.

"I have greatly enjoyed my work representing Wisconsin and Minnesota cooperatives and advancing member-owned cooperatives as the preferred form of ownership," Oemichen said. "I thank the Cooperative Network board for giving me the opportunity to play a key leadership role in demonstrating that consumers, workers, and our state and local communities are much better served by citizens participating in and supporting member-owned and -led cooperatives."

The group has begun the transition to new leadership and will soon begin the search for its next president and CEO.

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