Mt Angel, Ore., September 10, 2019
Wilco, a farmer-owned cooperative, recently announced a leadership transition to better align its future strategic direction and support key strategic partnerships. Sam Bugarsky, a Wilco veteran has been named interim CEO. He assumes duties previously held by former CEO Tim Ramsey.
“All of Wilco’s business units are poised for growth and success. The Board’s decision was focused on taking advantage of that momentum; it was a strategic one – not a financial one,” Bugarsky said.
Wilco’s retail farm store business – which carries a wide range of lawn and garden goods, pet products and services, hardware and livestock, and farm supplies – remains committed to nurturing the passions of small-town living. Wilco also recently launched an e-commerce store and announced the opening of their 21st store in Lake Oswego, Oregon – set to open early next year.
Wilco Fuels has had an infusion of energy with this year’s addition of bulk propane as a service to compliment bulk fuels and lubricants.
Hazelnut Growers of Oregon (HGO), another division of Wilco, is about to receive the 2019 hazelnut crop at its new SQF Level 3 certified plant in Donald. “The hazelnut business is especially exciting. The talented team, under the leadership of HGO General Manager Greg Thorsgard, is laser-focused on the upcoming harvest. With the new state-of-the-art processing plant, HGO is perfectly positioned to capitalize on the expanding crop size” says Bugarsky. The HGO Team has a diversified sales and marketing plan for domestic and export, commodity, and value-added products.
Bugarsky has been an integral part of building Wilco’s culture and success. Involved at the senior leadership level for over 20 years, Sam is most known for building Wilco’s farm store business unit into one of the most respected independent retailers in the United States. He is well versed in agriculture and its importance to Wilco’s membership.
“Wilco has been voted a Top Workplace for many years because we have a solid culture with talented individuals. We’ve been through many changes over the years and continue to have confidence that our team will excel for both our customers and farmer-owners, for years to come,” says Bugarsky.