Michigan Agricultural Commodities (MAC) Thursday announced Bruce Sutherland, who has held a range of leadership roles at MAC and served as the company’s president since 2016, will retire June 30, 2021. Upon Sutherland’s retirement, MAC will promote several talented, longtime employees to new leadership positions as part of its transition plan.
“While retirement is the next phase for my wife Teresa and I, I will depart MAC knowing the company will continue delivering the outstanding service and performance that our customers have been accustomed to for 45 years,” Sutherland said. “I have been fortunate to work for an outstanding company that has been one of Michigan’s most successful grain elevator and agronomy businesses. It has been an honor to lead and work with a group of outstanding people.”
MAC announced the following leadership changes to take place upon Sutherland’s retirement as it promotes several current company leaders:
- Ted Tucker (28 years with MAC) will serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, leading all finance, accounting and corporate matters.
- Robert Geers (16 years with MAC) will serve as Vice President – Merchandising and Originations, heading up trading activities.
- Adam Geers (16 years with MAC) will serve as Vice President – Operations, overseeing grain elevator operations and MAC’s Breckenridge location.
- John Ezinga (24 years with MAC) will serve as Vice President – Agronomy and lead agronomy operations, as well as the Middleton location and business development.
- Chuck Kunisch (23 years with MAC) will serve as Director of Safety and oversee the Marlette and Brown City locations.
- Richard Smibert (34 years with London Agricultural Commodities) will continue in his current capacity as leader of London Agricultural Commodities (LAC).
In a letter to MAC and LAC employees, the company’s owners and senior leaders noted the transition plan puts the company on a solid foundation to continue delivering for customers. You can read their message here.
“While Bruce’s MAC and industry leadership qualities and accomplishments are well documented, I also value Bruce as a person of the utmost integrity. For the 28 years I’ve known him, he has always cared very much for the people he has worked with in and outside the company. I consider him a friend and will no doubt remember many things I’ve learned from him as we look to the future,” commented Ted Tucker.
Sutherland’s retirement caps off a career spanning more than 35 years at MAC, where he started as a grain merchandiser, subsequently serving as merchandising manager and vice president before being promoted to lead the company as president. In addition to his service to MAC, Sutherland has been a leader in the grain industry in Michigan, and nationally. His industry leadership has included service on the Michigan Agri-Business Association (MABA) Board of Directors, where he also served as Board Chairman. Sutherland also serves on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the National Grain and Feed Association, as a committee member on the Federal Grain Inspection Service and National Rail Car Counsel, and earlier this month was named a Trustee of the 4-H Foundation.
Source: Michigan Agricultural Commodities news release
