GENEX Distribution Center

Have you ever wondered what distribution looks like at a major cattle genetics company? Well, wonder no longer! Brian Brickle, Distribution Specialist, takes us on a quick tour of the GENEX Distribution Center in Shawano, Wisconsin. If you ever get the chance, be sure to ask Brian to show you his liquid nitrogen demonstrations. They are pretty amazing!

Cooperatives Build A Better World

I recently got the chance to screen a PBS Visionaries documentary celebrating 100 years of cooperatives. Can I just say I smiled through the whole hour? Watching the seven stories of cooperatives both in the U.S. and abroad made me swell with pride, pride for belonging to something that is committed to helping one another as a part of the very principles that make up their business model. (Click here to learn about the seven co-op principles.) 

I am blessed to be not only employed by a cooperative, but also a member of several through our farm. In both of these capacities, I have seen the hard work put in by members, delegates, board members and employees to make an impact, not only in the communities they live in or serve, but across the globe, from little things that multiply to become big things, like Operation Round Up at my local electric co-op, to the amazing list of community organizations my credit union supports, to the work Cooperative Resources International (CRI) conducts through its Cooperative Development and Emerging Markets Programs.

CRI has been working in global outreach for nearly 20 years. A recently completed project in Nicaragua spanned five years as part of a $5 million, USAID funded, Cooperative Development Program (CDP). The project aimed to transform household-level dairy producers and their cooperatives into small scale commercial firms. Dean Gilge, AVP of Global Development for CRI notes, "It is heartening to hear someone such as Norman Montenegro, General Manager for Nicaragua's Asogamat Cooperative, describe the tremendous value the program has made in their operation. Norman credits CRI's help in strong governance foundation, designing a strategic plan and coaching them to success."

Dean Gilge (left) and Dan Diederich, CRI Board Member (right) learn about Quesillos, a tortilla with white cheese, cream cheese and onions, from the Quesillo store manager.

Milk arrives at the central milk collection center in Nicaragua via several modes of transportation.

Recent projects have also taken us to South Africa where CRI has worked with the beef cooperative Inkephu and the dairy cooperative Seven Stars. These businesses were chosen because of their accomplishments in showing an interest and desire to grow as sustainable cooperatives. Genex Board Member, Terry Frost had this to say upon returning from his time working with the co-ops, "While improvements need to be made, the cooperatives' hope for the future is evident. I feel the cooperative members want to improve for their community. These people are very proud of their culture and heritage. They just need the guidance and training the CDP can and is providing."

Genex Board Member, Terry Frost (front) inspects a feedlot with the Chairman of Inkephu Cooperative in South Africa.

Last year, a CRI Emerging Markets Program, with funding from the USDA, brought a delegation of 29 beef industry representatives from China, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Russia to the U.S. The participants were key dicision makers from large beef operations, universities, agriculture ministries and processing facilities. The tour showcased the U.S. beef industry "from semen to cellophane."

And the CRI commitment to global development is far from over. With current projects in South Africa and the Dominican Republic, we hope to continue to make a difference in agriculture and communities world-wide. 

By the way, if you get a chance to check out the documentary coming to a PBS station near you this November, watch it.  You won’t regret the hour you spend!

Meet Our Credit and Accounts Receivable Department-Part 2

This is part two of a two-part series. Take a look at part one.

By: Brooke Handy, Public Relations Coordinator, CRI 

Welcome back to our series featuring the Credit and AR department! We hope you’re just as excited to meet more of the delightful ladies who work hard to keep things running smoothly here at CRI Headquarters in Shawano, Wisconsin.

I recently spent some time with our Credit and AR department and noticed they all have one thing in common: they enjoy working with the farmers and ranchers who make up the Genex members and customers (it’s a common theme here at Genex!). Their number one priority is to keep accounts current so members and customers can continue raising quality dairy and beef cattle, and we can keep doing business with them. Read on to learn a little more about these lovely ladies!

Jacque Mogendi loves talking to members and customers every day. She is constantly learning new things about agriculture and enjoys hearing about the different farming and ranching operations. Jacque is originally from Tanzania, but her family moved many times for her father’s job. They eventually moved to the U.S. 15 years ago, and she attributes her passion for travel to her childhood. While she loves to explore new places, she prefers to stay north to avoid the heat. Outside of work, Jacque keeps busy raising her three children and camping with her family.

Sandy Nemetz can process about 1,000 checks on a busy day. Her favorite part of the day is working directly with our members and customers to ensure their checks are accurate before she deposits them. In her free time, she enjoys tending to her flower gardens and hanging out with her three grandkids. She is a passionate fan of the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers and enjoys cheering them on from the comfort of her living room. According to Sandy, she might be thrown out of the stadium if she actually attended the games! (I’m sure all you die hard sports fans can relate.)

Vicky Sprenger began her career 43 years ago with Genex predecessor Midwest Breeders. Since then, she has witnessed many evolutions and mergers to what makes up Genex today. She enjoys the daily challenges that arise in the Accounts Receivable department and working to find solutions (gotta love her ‘go getter’ attitude). Vicky is also a big fan of the Green Bay Packers. She and her husband are season ticket holders and have attended Packer games since 1973. She is actively involved with her local snowmobiling club and grooming club which helps ensure the trails are maintained from year to year.

Kathy Pieper likes to keep busy, which is not a problem in her position. Her main responsibility is maintaining the address book. Kathy spends most of her day setting up new member and customer accounts and updating the current ones. She likes to keep busy out of the office as well. She and her husband spend their free time looking after their large garden and flower beds, visiting their four grandchildren or vacationing at their cottage.

Shaina Oakley works with Kathy to maintain customer and member accounts. She enjoys the repetitive aspect of her job as she enters account information into the database. Shaina spends her free time keeping up with her three kids. Right now, her family is preparing for her daughter’s first year and stepson’s last year showing hogs at the Shawano County Fair.

Next time you call into the Credit and AR department, you’ll be able to put a face to the name (and maybe even strike up a conversation about their favorite hobbies). If you have any questions pertaining to your account, give Customer Service a call at 1-888-333-1783 and ask for the Credit department.

Meet Our Credit and Accounts Receivable Department

(Part one of a two-part series)

By: Brooke Handy, Public Relations Coordinator, CRI

If you have ever had a question about your account or a bill, chances are one of the ladies in the Credit and Accounts Receivable (AR) department answered your phone call. Each day they work hard to keep things running smoothly at CRI Headquarters in Shawano, Wisconsin.

I recently spent some time with our Credit and AR department and noticed they all have one thing in common: they enjoy working with the farmers and ranchers who make up the Genex members and customers (it’s a common theme here at Genex!). Their number one priority is to keep accounts current so members and customers can continue raising quality dairy and beef cattle, and we can keep doing business with them. Read on to learn a little more about these lovely ladies!

Kris Vomastic started working for Genex as a Customer Service Representative about 25 years ago, but these days she oversees the Credit and AR department. She keeps busy working with members and customers to keep their accounts on track and troubleshooting any discrepancies (what a lifesaver!). When she’s not in her office, Kris can be found at the Belle Plaine Community Center where she is the town clerk for about 1,900 residents or chasing after her 12 grandkids.

Patti Kane’s favorite part of her job is getting to know each farmer or rancher and learning more about their operations. “They go through floods, droughts and fires in their barn and they just keep going. They’re very resilient,” says Patti. (We like to think our AR department is resilient as well. They work day in and day out to keep members’ and customers’ accounts current. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it!) Her ties to the dairy industry run deep. Patti’s grandfather was a dairy farmer, and her father was Vice President at Morning Glory Farms Cooperative in Shawano, until he retired in 1991. In fact, his office was located on the same property where CRI Headquarters sits today!

Tami Zuleger loves problem solving. According to Tami, working with members and customers to find a solution to any problems that arise is the best part of her day. After work you’ll find her running after her daughter who participates in sports and 4-H. I’m sure none of you parents can relate to that (sarcasm completely intended). They are currently preparing for the 2016 Shawano County Fair where her daughter shows rabbits and visual arts projects (high-five to Tami’s daughter for being active in agriculture and her community). Tami also serves on the executive committee in Shawano that is working to start a Boys and Girls Club.

Pam Egge mainly works with the liquid nitrogen service agreements and cancellations, but lends a hand wherever it is needed. She’s pretty much a jack of all trades in the Credit department. Pam and her husband are the ultimate team and the epitome of work hard, play hard. When she’s not at the office she can be found helping him install seamless gutter systems (if you’re in the local area and need new gutters, you know who to call). In their free time, they are devoted snowmobilers and recently purchased a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Next time you call into the Credit and AR department, you’ll be able to put a face to the name (and maybe even strike up a conversation about their favorite hobbies). If you have any questions pertaining to your account, give Customer Service a call at 1-888-333-1783 and ask for the Credit department. Be sure to stay tuned for the part two of our series featuring the Credit and AR department!