Wisconsin Ag Connection - Wilson to Retire as CEO of Cooperative Resources International

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Wilson to Retire as CEO of Cooperative Resources International
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 05/25/2017

The top ranking officer at Cooperative Resources International is stepping down this summer after serving the company for nearly four decades. Doug Wilson announced he is retiring as Chief Executive Officer of the Shawano-based cooperative on August 1.

Wilson has spent 49 years in the A.I. industry, including 39 with CRI. Early in his career, he worked in cattle genetics and came to GENEX as the vice president of genetic programs. He eventually took on the role of leading the company's domestic marketing. In 1993, Doug was named COO of GENEX, and was promoted as CEO nine years later.

Under Wilson's leadership, CRI grew by revenue and employees. In 2016, the company reported $189 million in revenue and employed more than 1,350 people across the globe.

Doug has served in leadership roles at the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives and the National Association of Animal Breeders. He received recognition from World Dairy Expo, National Dairy Shrine, American Guernsey Association, NAAB service Award, the Cooperative Builder Award and the Distinguished Graduate Award from the Iowa State Dairy Science Department.

"Throughout my career, the changes at CRI and within the agricultural industry have been many and exciting," Wilson said. "One of the greatest rewards has been to navigate those changes with an outstanding group of people--members, delegates, directors and employees included. Because of this dedicated team, I'm certain the best decade for this cooperative and its member owners is yet to come."

The CRI board of directors said it will begin the search for a new CEO immediately.

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