New members join CPoW

The Cattle Producers of Washington (CPoW) Livestock Processors Cooperative Association held the first annual meeting in Odessa on March 28. A total of 59 members and guests, of which 32 members cast ballots, attended the meeting in Odessa and had a meal prepared by 231 North Catering of Reardan.

The primary orders of business were election of the expanded Board and to celebrate how much progress the Association has made since this time last year. The board has met the requirements to secure the $1.2 million zero-interest Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) loan, raised private investment capital, but is still seeking about $200,000 additional for operating cash, and signed the lease on property at the Odessa Industrial Park. Water and sewer engineering is being completed, and construction packages are out for bids on road and utilities this week.

The five-member incorporating Board of Directors has now transformed into the first full nine-member Board. Sue Lani Madsen and Joel Huesby, originally serving as President and Secretary respectively, have resigned from the original Board to pursue other business interests.

Sue Lani is transitioning to a new role as Project Manager for the Odessa PDA for the construction of the facility. Continuing on the Board are Willard Wolf; President, Wade King; Treasurer and Ed Gross. Newly elected Board members are Fred Brown; Vice President, Cass Gebbers, Asa Timm, Jeff Schmidt, Gary Galbreath and Randy Emtman.

Willard Wolf – President, ranches in Valleyford, Wash. and Oklahoma, brokers cattle, has over 50 years of professional experience in the cattle industry, has served on many boards and has held several positions in Cattle Producers of Washington (CPoW), currently Director for District No. 3.

Fred Brown – Vice president, is an entrepreneur, electrical engineer, professional rodeo competitor and third generation rancher from Colbert. Brown graduated from Gonzaga University and received his Masters degree in engineering from Texas A&M. He also serves on several boards such as Gonzaga’s entrepreneur board.

Wade King – Treasurer, is a fourth generation cattle rancher and also raises registered quarter horses in Coulee City. King has served on many boards, including the past president of CPoW and currently a Director for District No. 2.

Ed Gross – Director, from Reardan has a lifetime of experience with processing, distribution and exporting agricultural crops. Gross is a skilled butcher and crew manager, and also the past director for CPoW.

Jeff Schmidt – Director, ranches and farms in Othello, has experience with multiple breeds and crops. Along with his family, he owns and operates a store in Sequim where many of their products are sold.

Asa Timm – Director, is a third generation rancher, growing up on the family ranch on the Columbia River. He graduated from Washington State University in Agri Business. After graduation, he worked for three years managing the swine center at WSU and currently manages one of the family ranches north of Coulee City.

Cass Gebbers – Director, from Brewster is the president and CEO of Gebbers Farms, one of the world’s greatest sources of cherries and apples. Gebbers brings a wealth of knowledge from refrigeration to marketing.

Gary Galbreath – Director, third generation farmer and rancher from Ritzville. Galbreath serves on many boards, including the Wheatland Bank board of directors.

Randy Emtman – Director, is a fourth generation farmer and cattleman from Valleyford. Emtman has a successful branded meat program featured at the Coeur d’ Alene resort. He is serving on several rancher/farmer association boards and is a WSU graduate.

Teresa King – Secretary, ranches with her husband, Wade, in Coulee City, manages their Blue Lake Storage, has 20 years experience as administrative assistant and past secretary for CPoW.

Sue Lani Madsen – Past President, from Edwall is a licensed architect and experienced project manager for public and non-profit organizations for over 30 years. Along with her husband, she raises goats and sheep.

For more information visit their website at http://www.cattleproducersofwa.org/Livestock-Processors-Co-Op.html.