By Andi Anderson
CentralStar Cooperative recently held its annual Team Member Awards Program, celebrating the outstanding achievements of employees who contribute to supporting dairy and beef producers across the Midwest.
The event, conducted virtually, highlighted the exceptional dedication of team members in roles ranging from artificial insemination (A.I.) specialists to milk-testing technicians.
Awards were presented for various accomplishments, including work anniversaries, sales milestones, and exceptional service.
Ben Slack received the Area Sales Manager of the Year Award, while Jason Danielson, Ken Nehls, and Casey Degnitz were named A.I. Specialists of the Year. In addition, Zach Zernicke and Vanessa Ponterio were recognized for their excellence as Team A.I. Technicians.
The DHI milk-testing division also honored its top performers. Recipients of the DHI Specialist of the Year Award included Dennis Holterman and Emmy Kickbusch, among others, while notable achievements in lifetime cow testing included Makayla Ricketts testing 1 million cows and Rick Huth reaching the 9-million milestone.
Lifetime A.I. service milestones were also celebrated, with employees such as Ken Montsma and Scott Woepse achieving remarkable service records. CentralStar acknowledged long-term service with awards for employees marking 25 to 40 years of dedication.
The cooperative also presented the FUSION Culture and Mentoring Award to Katherin Parsons for her contributions to recruiting and mentoring new team members. This initiative emphasizes the cooperative’s commitment to fostering teamwork and growth.
CentralStar Cooperative remains dedicated to enhancing dairy and beef producer profitability through integrated services, including genetics, milk testing, herd management, and diagnostic solutions. With facilities across Wisconsin and Michigan, the cooperative continues to play a vital role in advancing the agriculture industry.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-vm
Categories: Michigan, Business