With the recent retirement announcement of West Central Cooperative’s current president and chief executive officer, Jeff Stroburg, the Board of Directors have decided his successor.

West Central’s Executive Vice President of Dairy and Animal Nutrition Milan Kucerak will be the new president and CEO effective February 1, 2015.

Kucerak has been with the company, at his current position, since 2006 and will become the cooperative’s fourth president and CEO in its 80-year history.

Board Chair Sue Tronchetti says Kucerak brings to the organization diverse management experience, a global perspective and a strong accounting and financial background.

During Stroburg’s 15-year tenure as head of the business that they’ve grown to 27 locations in twelve counties, become one of the country’s 15 largest grain companies and established itself as an innovative leader in the biofuels industry.

Starting in November, Stroburg and Kucerak will begin the process of operational transition and leadership handoff.  Kucerak will oversee daily cooperative operations, including executive team management.