CentralStar Cooperative recently honored team members for a wide range of accomplishments. These include work anniversaries, sales achievements, exemplary service, as well as outstanding efforts in their respective roles.
A.I Specialist Awards
Garret Carnahan, Hilbert, Wis.; Jeremy Konen, Mazomanie, Wis.; and Becky Spatz, Kewaskum, Wis., all received A.I. Specialist of the Year awards. Nathan Ellerbrock, Osseo, Wis., was named Team A.I. Technician of the Year. Zach Zernicke, Marinette, Wis., was Runner-Up Team A.I. Technician of the Year. Carla Stetzer, Alma Center, Wis., was awarded Consultant of the Year. Dave Lindberg, Mayville, Mich., was honored with Area Sales Manager of the Year.
DHI Milk-Testing Awards
Continuing with CentralStar’s DHI-milk-testing business unit, DHI Specialist of the Year recognition went to three individuals: Jayne Steuer-Birkholz, Elkhart Lake, Wis.; Autumn Martin, Rives Junction, Mich.; and also Shellie Volker, Sumner, Iowa. First-Year DHI Specialist of the Year recipients include Kyle Peissig, Edgar, Wis.; Rachel Donlin, Hull, Iowa; and Rachel Keuning, Avoca, Mich.
Team Star-Member Awards
Employee team members are asked to vote for Team Star-Member Award winners who exemplify teamwork, dedication to customers, and overall enthusiasm for the company. Team Star-Member Award winners include Lisa Loos, Appleton, Wis.; Scott Malueg, Black Creek, Wis.; Doug Lehman, Spencer, Wis.; Vanessa Ponterio, Fond du Lac, Wis.; Arianna Vantine, Durand, Mich.; John Wasson, Okemos, Mich., Leroy Gingerich, Kolona, Iowa; Harvey Stieve; Charley Bogart, Sumner, Mich.; Tim Schmidt, Warren, Ind.; and also Pam Thom, Peck, Mich.
A.I. Services Awards
CentralStar recognizes A.I. specialists and team A.I. technicians for number of A.I. services. Achieving the 100,000 A.I.-service milestone during the last fiscal year were Mark Wallace, Wild Rose, Wis.; Joel Franke, Hillsboro, Wis.; Tim Trones, Mondovi, Wis.; and Mohammed Touir, Madison, Wis. Steve Otteson, Arlington, Wis. achieved the 150,000 milestone. Achieving the 200,000 A.I.-service milestone were Eric Gudex, Oakfield, Wis.; Jason Ossmann, Greenleaf, Wis.; and Duane Nowak, Medford, Wis.
DHI Testing Awards
In CentralStar’s DHI business unit, employees are honored for number of cows tested. Major milestones in this area include those who’ve tested 1 million cows so far in their careers: Kaitlyn Dillenburg, Shawano, Wis.; Christine Riehle, Edgar, Wis., and Kris Kimball, Seymour, Wis. In addition, Danielle Schlueter, Hortonville, Wis., and David Kohn, Medford, Wis., were honored for testing 2 million cows. Roger Sweeney, Ubly, Mich. was recognized for testing 4 million cows. Jayne Steuer-Birkholz was recognized for testing 5 million cows. Rick Huth, Green Bay, Wis. achieved testing 8 million cows.
Member Service Awards
CentralStar Cooperative has tremendous longevity among employee team members, and several were honored for major levels in years of service. Those with the most tenure include Deb Giese, Waupun, Wis., as well as Michelle Haarer, Lansing, Mich. with 25 years. Celebrating 30 years were Dan Zernicke, Bonduel, Wis.; Darlene Cipcich, Bonfield, Ill.; Ed Nichols, Lansing, Mich.; and Bob Radke, Banger, Wis. Several employee team members also hit the 35-year mark. They include John Wasson; Scott Ellevold, Emerald, Wis.; and Steve Otteson. Rounding out the work-anniversary milestones at 40 years with the cooperative were Harvey Kuehn, Green Bay, Wis.; Harvey Stieve; and Mark Rude, Ridgeland, Wis.
