Great Bend Cooperative Board of Directors announced that Duane Anderson has been chosen to serve as the cooperative’s Chief Executive Officer starting Oct. 1. Anderson succeeds Frank Riedl, who announced his retirement starting Sept. 30.

Anderson brings extensive experience in agriculture and finance to the cooperative. His youth was spent farming near Gaylord, Minn., which led into running a custom harvesting business for 11 years. A career change and family came next. He attended Mankato State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and his CPA, followed by an MBA from Southwest State University in Marshall, Minn.

Anderson joins the Great Bend Co-op with a very broad background in accounting, finance and manufacturing with companies such as Crystal Valley Co-op, AGCO Corporation, Farmers Union Industries and Van Beek Natural Science.

“Anderson’s agriculture and financial experience, customer and employee focus and vision for the future were key characteristics the Board of Directors were seeking in our new CEO,” said Scott Loving, Great Bend Co-op Board Chairman. “We are excited to begin working with Duane to grow and expand our already successful cooperative. Great Bend Cooperative has a very promising future.”

Duane and his wife Kris have relocated to Great Bend from Morgan, Minn. They have seven children, Amanda, Elizabeth, Carl, Irene, MaryAnn, Jacob and Sarah. They are also expecting their first grandchild in November. 

“I am extremely excited about this opportunity with Great Bend Co-op. They are a strong Co-op with many, many opportunities ahead of them”, said Anderson.