Growmark CEO set to retire

Spradlin

The CEO of Growmark, Jim Spradlin, announced to the company’s board of directors that he will be retiring, effective Feb. 28, 2022.

Growmark named Spradlin the company’s CEO in June 2014. He took the position in September 2014 when then-CEO Jeff Solberg retired.

Spradlin has held a number of positions with Growmark. He joined the company as an accounting trainee at Schuyler-Brown FS. He has served in many leadership roles over his career, including as the general manager of Piatt County Service Co. and Ag-Land FS, positions on Growmark’s regional staff, and as vice president for Growmark’s Agronomy and Energy business units.

“Jim has served the Growmark System with excellence since 1982,” says John Reifsteck, Growmark chairman of the board. “His leadership as CEO has been transformational, and he will leave a legacy of innovation in digital technology, leadership development, succession planning, and the establishment of an enterprise-wide strategy that is yielding increased customer satisfaction and financial success.”

Reifsteck noted that the board has initiated a search process for Spradlin’s replacement.

“Ideally, a new CEO will be named in the fall and benefit from working alongside Jim into early 2022,” Reifsteck says.

A retirement celebration to honor Spradlin’s career will be announced at a later date.