The Kansas Cooperative Council on Wednesday announced John Strecker, Colby, as its interim president/CEO.

“John has had a long and storied career working in cooperatives and his extensive experience makes him the best person to lead the KCC while we search for our next president/CEO,” said James Jirak, KCC Board Chairman.

Strecker spent the past 45 years working in cooperatives. He started his career as a bookkeeper with the Offerle Co-op and then worked as the grain merchandiser at the then Farmers Co-op in Dighton. Strecker went on to serve as general manager for co-ops in Menlo and Lakin. He most recently spent 25 years as the general manager at Hi-Plains Co-op in Colby.

“Cooperatives are the lifeblood of many Kansas communities,” Strecker said. “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the cooperative community in this role.”

Former President/CEP Leslie Kaufman, who had served in that role since 2010, resigned her position effective Dec. 1 after accepting a job as director of government relations and legal counsel at Kansas Electric Cooperatives.

For additional information about cooperatives in Kansas and the Kansas Cooperative Council visit www.kansasco-op.coop.

— KCC