The Madison-based Cooperative Network announced the hiring of veteran journalist and public information officer Rick Hummell as the organization's new communications specialist. Hummell will manage internal and external communications, marketing, and media relations for Cooperative Network, the nation's largest cooperative trade association, representing cooperatives from a dozen business sectors in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
"Cooperative Network is pleased to welcome Rick to our staff," said Cooperative Network CEO Daniel Smith. "His experience in media relations, government affairs and public communications will be of tremendous value to our cooperative members."
Hummell is the former managing editor of the Unified Newspaper Group, publishers of the Stoughton Courier Hub, Verona Press, Oregon Observer, Fitchburg Star, and Your Family magazine. Your Family, launched under his editorship in 2007 earned Best Niche Magazine in Wisconsin honors in 2008 and 2009. He worked for the newspaper group from 1993 until 2010.
In November 2010, he was hired as a legislative aide for a state representative from the Milwaukee area. In 2013, Hummell was hired as a public information officer for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, working there until 2021. At DATCP, he worked primarily with the agency's agricultural development programs.
Categories: Wisconsin, Business