Today's Farmer | April 2006

VIEWPOINT
An all-star lineup of cooperative leaders populates MIC Hall of Fame
By Don Copenhaver

The Missouri Institute of Cooperatives does many worthwhile things to keep cooperatives viable and visible. The one I enjoy most, however, is the Institute’s Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees are listed below. I hope you’ll all join me in celebrating the accomplishments of the individuals listed. The Hall of Fame is designed “to ensure a permanent, prestigious recognition of cooperative leaders for future generations.” Those honored must have met a long list of criteria including a clearly demonstrated commitment to the principles of cooperation, a history of leadership that encouraged growth, and a list of innovative programs and policies that increased member benefits. That’s a partial listing. But it illustrates my point that individuals must meet very high standards to be inducted. That’s as it should be. This is a selection of all-stars, not a popularity contest. The individuals listed are leaders who have made a difference.

I don’t have enough space in this format to go into depth on each individual, but I do want to single out three. First, I’m proud to know Lester Evans. He’s been on MFA’s corporate board since 1994. Right now he’s in his second term as chairman of our board. Lester Evans is a leader—an individual who is adept at making people comfortable and in getting different people to listen to all sides of an issue before coming to a decision. That’s a valuable quality in leadership. He’s been involved with MFA in different ways for decades. He was first elected to the board of Producers Creamery in 1967. Producers Creamery was an MFA dairy cooperative that helped form Mid-Am dairy and now Dairy Farmers of America. Everyone who knows Lester Evans agrees with the description used during the ceremony: “His quiet, gracious, unassuming and humble leadership has touched countless lives, influenced young directors and helped make Missouri a great cooperative state.” To that I’d like to add: Thank you, Lester, for making MFA a better cooperative.

I’m also pleased Eric Thompson was honored. Unfortunately, the award was posthumous. He died this past winter. In August of 1979, Eric Thompson did something no one else would attempt: he challenged long-time MFA president Fred Heinkel for the job of president of MFA Incorporated. And he won. As president of MFA, Thompson fought for and achieved landmark revision in how the cooperative’s leadership was selected. Under his leadership, MFA’s bylaws were changed to allow the board of directors to hire and fire the president rather than subject the office to political elections. This achievement changed the cooperative overnight. Thompson’s business-centered vision included rigorous strategic and long-term planning processes focused on defining goals, strategies and objectives.

Eric Thompson embodied leadership. And like many leaders, he required people to take sides. But from my perspective, Eric had a straightforward world view: lead, follow or get the **** out of the way.

I also can’t fail to mention Gene Murphy. Gene is definitely all-star material. It pleases me that he was honored for his contributions. He worked at MFA for 25 years before joining Ray Carroll Cooperative in 1972. His management and financial skills are unsurpassed. Ray Carroll’s sound balance sheet today reflects the leadership Gene brought. As mentioned in the awards ceremony, “Ray Carroll’s continued success is built on the foundation Gene provided.” Like the others mentioned.

Missouri Cooperative Hall of Fame Awards

2006

Donald Claycomb, Linn State Technical College

Jerry Divin, Southwest Electric Cooperative

Lester Evans, Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. and MFA Incorporated

Eugene Murphy, Ray-Carroll County Grain Growers and MFA Incorporated

Eric Thompson, MFA Incorporated*

2005

Bill Davis, Gascosage Electric Cooperative

Bud Frew, MFA Incorporated

Frank Stork, Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives

Missouri Agricultural & Small Business