Scott Kienlen recognizes he has some big shoes to fill at the helm of the 小蓝视频ern Plains Co-op.
Kienlen was recently elected as the board president of the co-op鈥檚, which has operations in Estevan, Carlyle, Alameda, Oxbow and Gainsborough. He takes the place of Robert Grimsrud, who recently moved on to join the board of the Federated Co-op Ltd.
鈥淚鈥檓 really looking forward to working with the other board members,鈥� said Kienlen.
Grimsrud had been the board鈥檚 president for 22 years, and a member of the board for a total of 24 years.
鈥淩obert was a fantastic president and a great leader, so it鈥檚 not going to be easy to follow those footsteps, but hopefully I can a little bit,鈥� said Kienlen.
The new board president hasn鈥檛 had much of a chance to speak with his predecessor about what to expect with the job, but Kienlen said the board is very in sync with each other, and willing to co-operate. He doesn鈥檛 expect many changes will occur in terms of how they operate.
Kienlen has been on the board for about a decade. A few years ago, he took on more of a leadership role when he became the vice-president. He has also been part of a number of sub-committees.
As board president, not only does he have to run meetings and work with the general manager on any concerns that might be brought forward, he will also handle strategic planning on where the co-op hopes to go in the future.
He hopes to keep 小蓝视频ern Plains as a strong co-op in southeast Saskatchewan, while looking out for the best interests of members.
鈥淲e want to provide them a great retail experience, from having very good facilities to products that we offer,鈥� said Kienlen.
Linda Thauberger-Smith from Gainsborough will move into the role of vice-chair. She was on the Gainsborough co-op鈥檚 board before it amalgamated with 小蓝视频ern Plains a few years ago.
鈥淚t鈥檚 good to have that representation from the various locations that we represent in the southeast,鈥� said Kienlen.
James Lainton of Estevan will remain as the board鈥檚 secretary.
It鈥檚 an exciting time to be with the co-op, he said. They have been through some amalgamations in recent years, and they鈥檙e looking to expand retail operation through the addition of a liquor store to their grocery store in Estevan and their convenience store in Oxbow, and they鈥檙e always looking for opportunities to serve members and customers.
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