Local CentralStar employees are recognized for excellence

KEWAUNEE – CentralStar Cooperative, which supports dairy and beef producers across the upper Midwest and surrounding states, recently recognized exceptional team members during its annual CentralStar Team Member Awards Program.

The virtual event celebrated individuals who demonstrated outstanding dedication and commitment throughout the past fiscal year.

“This program gives us a chance to pause and honor the people who make CentralStar successful,” said Dori Lichty, communication specialist. “Their expertise, teamwork and drive are the foundation of the cooperative’s mission to serve producers and strengthen agriculture.”

CentralStar’s team includes professionals in artificial insemination (A.I.), Dairy Herd Information (DHI) milk testing, sales, consulting, milk analysis, research and administration. Awards were presented for a range of accomplishments, including work anniversaries, sales achievements, exceptional service and outstanding performance across departments.

Tyler Freund of Arpin was honored with Area Sales Manager of the Year.

Andrew Schultz of Kewaunee, Eric Gudex of Oakfield and Dan Zernicke of Bonduel all received A.I. Specialist of the Year awards. Pieter Koopmans of Green Bay was named Team A.I. Technician of the Year, and Julie Retzlaff of Elroy was Runner-Up Team A.I. Technician of the Year. Malissa Reed, Owosso, Mich., was awarded Consultant of the Year.

In CentralStar’s DHI business unit, employee team members were honored for lifetime-number-of-cows tested. Major milestones in this area include Emmy Kickbusch of Kewaunee, one million cows tested; Jesse Steinhorst of Kewaunee, one million cows and Rick Huth, Green Bay, 10 million cows tested.

CentralStar strives to fulfill its mission of enhancing producer profitability through integrated solutions for mutual success by incorporating an array of products and services critical to dairy-and-beef-farm prosperity. CentralStar’s product and service offerings include Accelerated Genetics, GenerVations and Select Sires genetics; extensive artificial-insemination (A.I.) technician service; genetic, reproduction and dairy-records consultation; DHI services; diagnostic testing; herd-management products; research and development and more.

CentralStar’s administration and warehouse facilities are located in Lansing, Mich., and Waupun, Wis., with laboratories in Grand Ledge, Mich., and Kaukauna, Wis. The cooperative serves dairy and beef producers throughout Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana, with additional DHI territory in various surrounding states. For more information, visit CentralStar Cooperative Inc. at www.mycentralstar.com.