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Board of Directors

Aurora Cooperative's Bylaws provide for the election of a board of directors to oversee the business and affairs of the Cooperative. Aurora Cooperative is governed by a 14 member board of directors elected by the stockholders to serve a three-year term. The board of directors may, from time to time, appoint associate directors to serve on the board. Each director and associate director is an active producer and stockholder in Aurora Cooperative.

Board of Directors

Aurora Cooperative's Bylaws provide for the election of a board of directors to oversee the business and affairs of the Cooperative. Aurora Cooperative is governed by a 14 member board of directors elected by the stockholders to serve a three-year term. The board of directors may, from time to time, appoint associate directors to serve on the board. Each director and associate director is an active producer and stockholder in Aurora Cooperative.

Bill Schuster

Chairman Emeritus - 1985

Bill and his son Scott produce yellow corn, white corn, seedcorn and soybeans on their irrigated farm. Bill started the farming operation in 1970 and has expanded it to include custom farm work along with a trucking business and cow-calf herd. Bill has served on the AGP board, NE Cooperative Council and county FSA.

Paul McHargue

Chairman - 2011

Paul and his brother operate a family farm of corn and popcorn which they started in 1988. The farm also has a farrow-to-finish hog operation. Paul also has been a leader on his local school board for the past 14 years, as well as coaching the local high school basketball team for 10 years.

Craig B. Grams

Vice Chairman - 2009

Craig started his irrigated farming operation in 1983, where they raise corn, soybeans and white corn. He also has almost 30 years as a member of the Upland Fire Department and has been an EMT for 18 years. Other agricultural board experience includes the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Minden Exchange Bank & Upland Coop.

Chris Beins

Secretary/Treasurer - 2019

Chris Beins and his wife Paige live on an acreage north of Henderson with their three sons, Cooper, Briggs, and Hayes. Chris was born and raised in rural Aurora and attended Hastings College where he majored in Business Administration and minored in Psychology. Chris operates a corn, soybean, and custom farming business in central Hamilton County with his brother.

Robin Bochart

Governance Committee Chair - 2004

Robin and his brother have owned and operated their farm since 1977. Their irrigated farm produces, corn, soybeans and alfalfa along with a 400 head cattle operation. Robin has experience as a member/president of another Cooperative along with serving as treasurer for his church for over 30 years.

John Willoughby

Audit Committee Chair - 2007

John started his career as a crop consultant and worked as an ag lender for over a decade before he began farming in 1992. His irrigated farm grows corn, soybeans and seed corn. John also has leadership experience serving on the Buffalo-Hall County Corn Growers Association, KAAPA Coop and KAAPA Aqua Farms.

Tobe Duensing

Nominating Committee Chair - 2014

Tobe started his irrigated farming operation in 1979 where he raises corn, soybeans, and wheat. He also raises cattle and has a custom feeding operation, along with a custom harvest and trucking business. Tobe has served on the Thayer County Feeders Board, Byron Community Foundation and St. Paul Lutheran Church board as well as a volunteer fireman for the past 25 years.

Evan Brandes

Director - 2005

Evan joined the family farm and corporation in 1975, raising corn, soybeans and seed corn. Their farm business also maintains a cow-calf operation and custom harvesting business. Evan has served on many agricultural committees including the Farm Business Association, local Farm Bureau, and Merrick County Ag Industrial Board.

Scott Elting

Director - 2006

Scott and his son operate Sugar Tree Farms, where they raise yellow and white corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa. They also have a cow-calf operation along with a feed business that includes custom hauling in bulk-bag trucks. Scott has been active as an FSA county board chairman for the past 9 years along with the Thayer County Act committee and his local church.

Paul Mumm

Director - 2009

Paul began farming in 1982, and recently his son has joined the family business. His irrigated farm produces corn, soybeans and alfalfa; as well as a cow-calf operation and custom farming/haying operation. Paul has served on many agricultural boards including Pork Producers, Feeders Board and county 4-H council.

Ryan Sands

Director - 2014

Ryan started farming in 2002, where he joined the family farming corporation. On their irrigated farm they raise seed corn, soybeans and yellow corn. Ryan also has experience volunteering with his local church ministry.

Ken Kozisek

Director - 2014

Ken has operated his irrigated farm since 1992, raising corn, soybeans and rye. His farm also feeds and finishes cattle along with custom feeding and background weaning. Ken also serves on his county planning and zoning board, and the Nebraska Farm Bureau where he sits on the State legislative policy committee.

Brad Kroeger

Director - 2014

Brad has raised corn, soybeans and alfalfa on his irrigated farm since 1992. He also runs a cow-calf operation on his farm. Brad has been on his local Rural Fire board for the past five years.

Troy Rainforth

Director - 2021

Troy is a 5th generation farmer from the rural Doniphan area. He grew up helping on his family farm and started farming full time in 2000. Troy farms with his two older brothers where they grow corn, white corn, soybeans, along with running a cow/calf operation. He and his wife, Ginny, have three very active children ages 8 to 14.

Cortney Brandes

Associate Director - 2022

Cortney was raised on a farm near Central City and chose to come back to the farm to raise her four children: Alaina, Elise, Connor, and Ava. Cortney attended UNL where she received a bachelor’s degree in Mechanized Systems Management. She has her own operation which consists of corn, soybeans, and seed corn, and operates different parts of a multigenerational farm.

Ryan Bonham

Associate Director - 2022

Ryan Bonham & his wife Jeanne live on a farm and ranch in the Franklin area. Ryan & Jeanne have three children. Ryan obtained a degree in Ag-Business at UNL. Prior to coming back to the family farm, he worked for 10 years in banking & financial investments. Currently, Ryan and his family operate a small cow/calf herd and produce corn, soybeans, rye, and feed for cattle.