DATE: February 2025

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The Board of Directors of The Mott Equity Exchange are pleased to announce the selection of our new General Manager, Rick Poehls, who will be replacing our retiring General Manager, Sherry Freidt.

 

Rick will be starting with The Equity on Monday, March 17th to begin the training process in advance of Sherry’s May 1st retirement date.

 

Rick brings a wealth of experience and deep commitment to building on the success of The Equity. With a strong background in the co-op environment, Rick is dedicated to maintaining the best possible experience for our customer-owners.

 

The Board of Directors is looking forward to Rick’s leadership as General Manager. Rick has a robust and diverse background in the agricultural retail sector. In his previous role, he assisted in budget planning for a large agronomy, feed, petroleum, and grain co-op. His expertise also extends to planning and managing the construction of a greenfield fertilizer terminal, which will be put to quick use with the current construction of Mott’s new fertilizer plant.

 

Additionally, Rick has extensive experience with numerous crop protection products, both in sales and application. He has worked with various seed brands, gaining insights into both sales and personal use. Holding current licenses for the commercial application of chemicals and fertilizers in both North Dakota and South Dakota. Rick looks forward to partnering with former colleague, Tom Irwin, as they plan for continued success of the Agronomy Division.

 

Rick’s employment history underscores his deep-rooted experience in the industry. From 2023 to the present, he served as the Operations Manager at Southwest Grain Co-op in Lemmon, SD. Prior to this, he was the Sales Manager at Southwest Grain Co-op in Dickinson, ND from 2021 to 2023. Prior to that role, Rick held the position of Agronomy Location Manager at Southwest Grain Co-op in Lemmon, SD from 2009 to 2021, and worked as a Commercial Applicator from 2007 to 2009.

 

Rick shares, “I am looking forward to this opportunity to partner with the Board and staff of The Equity. The co-op has had a long history of success under Sherry’s leadership for the last 40 years. Sherry is leaving big shoes to fill with her retirement. I look forward to partnering with her in the coming weeks.”

 

Before joining the co-op sector, Rick worked as a farmer and employee at Ron Swindler Farms in Mott, ND from 1993 to 2006. Rick brings a unique experience having started his professional career with Apple Computer in Cupertino, CA, where he served as a Technical Coordinator from 1987 to 1993.

 

Rick holds an A.S. degree in Computer Electronics from Condie College out of Campbell, CA.

 

Rick is originally from the Fargo - Moorhead area. His wife, Desiree’ is a Mott native who after their time in California, decided to return to Mott where they have resided for more than 30 years.

 

Rick has a family of two and enjoys spending time outside of work hunting and fishing as much as possible and spending time with the grandchildren.