Landus Cooperative Names Interim CEO

LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) -- Des Moines, Iowa-based Landus announced the appointment of Sam Caton as the interim CEO effective on Tuesday, according to a news release from the company. Landus said Caton is expected to lead the search for a new president and CEO in the wake of the resignation of Matthew Carstens.

Landus announced at the end of last week that Carstens had resigned just a few months after the company announced employee layoffs across Iowa.

"We have full confidence in Sam's abilities to guide Landus forward as the interim CEO," said Matt Chambers, chairman of the board for the company.

"His sincere appreciation for the farmer-owners we serve has quickly built trust within the organization and helped him develop a deep understanding of our operations and vision. We have full faith in his leadership as we start the next chapter at Landus and implement the search to identify our next CEO."

The company said Caton would continue to perform his duties as the executive vice president of sales.

"Caton brings more than two decades of agricultural industry experience to the interim CEO role," the company said.

"Previously, as the business unit director of the northern region at Simplot, Caton demonstrated exceptional leadership in managing complex business integrations. He is an established forward-thinking leader in agricultural business and technology adoption but doesn't shy away from his roots."

Landus said prior to moving into sales, Caton owned and operated an 8,000-acre family farm and cattle ranch, "an experience that equipped him with an authentic understanding of agricultural operations from the ground up."

The company said Caton's "first order of business" will be leading the search for Landus' next CEO, "which will start with listening to the farmer-owners within the cooperative."

The company has about 7,000 farmer-members and provided no details as to the reason for Carstens' departure. Landus was founded in 2016 when Ames-based Farmers' Cooperative Company merged with West Central Cooperative in Ralston, Iowa.

"I'm honored, and frankly humbled, to be trusted with the exciting task of leading Landus forward and I know the best way to do so is with the guidance of our farmers," Caton said in a news release.

"I'll be establishing an open line of communication with our farmer-owners to hear directly from them on what they want to see from the next CEO of the cooperative and I look forward to working with our board to identify the next leader of Landus."

Landus said in the news release, "During this transition, Landus remains steadfast in its commitment to its farmer-owners, employees, business partners and the future of agriculture."

Read more on DTN:

"Landus Co-op CEO Carstens Resigns," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

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