Organic Valley’s CEO and one of the company’s founders, George Siemon, has stepped down.

The coop’s board has appointed Bob Kirchoff, chief business officer since 2016, as interim CEO.  

“It has been an honor to be a leader of Organic Valley from the beginning,” Siemon says. “Our cooperative is a beacon of light for the natural food community, agriculture and all food-conscious people. I appreciate the opportunity to have been part of the team of employees, farmers, consumers and all the many stakeholders who have worked for and allowed the co-op to become the accomplished vision it is today. I have been blessed by this experience and stand ready to help Organic Valley in any way I can in the future.”

Siemon was one of the seven founders of Organic Valley in 1988. He has been a leader in the organic movement and in the revitalization of rural communities through his efforts to create economic and environmental sustainability for small family farms. Under his leadership, Organic Valley has grown revenues to over $1 billion annually.

“We are indebted to George for his 30 years of service to Organic Valley, for saving countless families, and for creating a path for generations more to stay on their farms in the process,” says Organic Valley Board Chair Arnie Trussoni. “George has also created a culture of employees who work for the mission and are as dedicated as he is to making the cooperative succeed for the farmers, the environment and the consumers. We are fortunate to have worked alongside a leader with his passion, intellect, creativity and good partnership.”