Announcing Rockingham Cooperative’s New CEO - Jason Hoekstra

From Charlie Garber, Rockingham Cooperative’s Board of Director President

To Member Owners and Employees,

On behalf of the Board of Director for Rockingham Cooperative, I am proud to announce Jason Hoekstra as the next CEO of the Cooperative. It has been a long and exhausting search with dozens of qualified candidates from multiple states and three countries. The best interest of our patrons controlled every step of the process. In the end, we decided on Jason Hoekstra due to his extensive knowledge in feed mills, feed manufacturing, feed marketing, retail and years spent working and managing within a co-op setting. In the near future, we will make sure there are ample opportunities to meet and get to know Jason's vision for Rockingham Cooperative to take us into the future.

I also want to take this time to thank Sam Liggett for all he has done for the Cooperative. He has spent many years in service to the co-op, and even the announcement of his retirement that will be effective March 27, 2027, had the best interests of the Cooperative in mind. He will be heavily involved in the transition process over the next year in getting Jason oriented into the position. This will allow for a seamless transfer to a new beginning for the Cooperative.

I hope you all are as excited about the future of Rockingham Cooperative as the Board of Directors. Please join us in welcoming Jason and honoring Sam for his service.

From Jason Hoekstra, Incoming Rockingham Cooperative CEO

My Greeting to the Patrons and Staff,

I would like to thank the Board of Directors for the trust they have put in me to lead this organization with such a rich history and roots for the foreseeable future. With that, I am looking forward to working with all of the patrons and staff as we look to continue to be an industry leader in the state of Virginia. I feel very strongly about the values of a cooperative and fully believe we are positioned to be the preeminent co-op for the future. With the ever-changing demands in the markets and producer needs, we can all anticipate that there will be changes needed as we adapt to those needs.

As I look to the future, there are two initiatives we will be rolling out, one short term, and one longer term. The first will be our #OneRockingham initiative. This will be to ensure everyone is on board and understands where we are today and where we are going. The second initiative is #OneVirginia. That will unfold in time, and you will all know about that as it happens. I am excited to be coming to your great state and getting started and bringing my family as soon as we have found our new home. We are looking forward to being a part of the community for years to come.