Board of Directors
[as of 11.20.24]
Dean Thernes, President Farmers Pride, Battle Creek [Bd Chair]
Jeremy Wilhelm, CEO Frontier Co-op, Lincoln [Vice Chair]
Tim Rowe, Director Country Partners Co-op, Gothenburg [Secretary]
Chris Beins, Director Aurora Co-op Elevator Co
Luke Carlson, Director CVA, York
Jeff Krejdl, CEO Ag Valley Co-op, Arapahoe
Jeff Loschen, Director CPI, Hastings
Cary Sandell, Lead Relationship Manager CoBank, Elkhorn
Allan Zumpfe, CEO Farmers Co-op, Dorchester
Staff
The office staff is composed of 3 full-time employees:
Rocky Weber – President & General Counsel
Adam Feser – Director of Cooperative Advancement
Deb Mazour – Office Manager & Program Coordinator
2025-26 Legislative Advisory Committee
The Legislative Advisory Committee (LAC) evaluates and submits recommendations to the Council’s Board of Directors on positions for the Council to take on legislative bills introduced in the Nebraska Legislature impacting agricultural cooperatives or legislative initiatives of the Council. The LAC also hosts a legislative reception for state Senators. Current members of the LAC are:
[as of 8.19.25]
Dean Thernes, President Farmers Pride, Battle Creek [Co-chair]
Aaron Becker, Gen Mgr/Pres Farmers Co-op, Pilger
John Bender, CEO Frenchman Valley Farmers Co-op, Imperial
Luke Carlson, Bd Chair CVA, York
Michael Dolch, VP of Member/Corp Relations & Gov’t Affairs AGP, Omaha
Kevin Henrichson, Bd Sec Frontier Co-op, Lincoln
Jamey Nygren, Legislative Affairs Director Farm Credit Services of America-Omaha
Jerrad Stroh, Bd Sec CPI, Hastings
Chris Wagner, CEO Country Partners Co-op, Gothenburg
Jeremy Wilhelm, CEO Frontier Co-op, Lincoln
Rocky Weber NCC President & General Counsel [Co-chair]
2025 Political Action Committee
NCC-Political Action Committee (PAC) works to support and promote the interests of agricultural cooperatives across Nebraska by developing relationships with state senators. It raises funds from Members to support legislative candidates who understand and back cooperative principles, policies, and cooperative business operations. Educating legislative candidates about Nebraska’s agricultural cooperatives is a key mission of NCC-PAC. Current members of NCC-PAC are:
[as of 8.19.25]
Jeremy Wilhelm, CEO Frontier Co-op, Lincoln [Chair]
Gary Brandt, CEO CPI, Hastings
Jeff Krejdl, CEO Ag Valley Co-op, Arapahoe
Mary Kay Lyon, Bd Secretary CHS Inc, Holdrege
Paul McHargue, Bd Chair Aurora Co-op Elevator Co.
Douglas Olsen, Bd Chair Legacy Co-op, Scottsbluff
Tim Rowe, Bd Chair Country Partners Co-op, Gothenburg
Allan Zumpfe, CEO Farmers Co-op, Dorchester
Dean Thernes, President Farmers Pride, Battle Creek [ex-officio]
Rocky Weber NCC President & General Counsel
2025 Excellence in Cooperative Education Committee
The Excellence in Cooperative Education Committee (ECEC) assesses, discusses and recommends topics, speakers and programs to be included in the educational programs offered by the Council on an annual basis. The goal of the Committee is to provide Members access to national and state thought leaders in agricultural cooperatives and the agricultural economy. Current member of the ECEC are:
[as of 1.1.25]
Chris Beins, Bd Sec/Treas – Aurora Co-op Elevator Co
Ryan Holtmeier, Bd Chair – Farmers Co-op, Dorchester
Jeff Loschen, Bd Chair – CPI, Hastings
Cary Sandell, Lead Relationship Manager – CoBank-Elkhorn
Neil Stedman, Bd Chair – Frontier Co-op Co, Lincoln
Brook Stromer, Vice President/Sr Relationship Manager – CoBank, Elkhorn
Chris Wagner, CEO – Country Partners Co-op, Gothenburg
Dean Thernes, President – Farmers Pride, Battle Creek [ex-officio]
Rocky Weber, NCC President & General Counsel (Chair, non-voting)
Adam Feser, NCC Director of Cooperative Advancement (non-voting)
Hall of Fame Committee
The purpose of the Nebraska Cooperative Council Hall of Fame Committee is to recognize and honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of Nebraska’s cooperative system. The committee selects and celebrates leaders whose dedication, service, and leadership have significantly strengthened cooperatives across the state, preserving their legacy and inspiring future generations within the cooperative community.
[as of 1.1.25]
Don Anthony, Lexington
Jerrell Dolesh, Tilden
Jay Larson, Kearney
Dale Piper, Springfield
Ron Velder, Milford
Dean Thernes, President – Farmers Pride, Battle Creek [ex-officio]
Rocky Weber, NCC President & General Counsel [ex-officio]