Yakima, WA: Yakima Chief Hops (YCH), a 100% grower-owned world hop provider, is happy to announce the appointment of Kevin Riel as the brand new Chair of its Board of Administrators. A longtime group member and proprietor of Double ‘R’ Hop Ranches, Riel brings a wealth of Board expertise, {industry} data, and a shared ardour for sustainability, innovation, and group impression.
As Chair, Riel will assist lead the board in its mission to assist YCH’s strategic targets and uphold its core values as a grower-owned group. Riel is each a revered grower and one of the crucial completed board administrators in U.S. agriculture, having served eight years on the Board for CoBank (the final 4 years as Chair), just lately becoming a member of Farmer Mac, and incomes his NACD Directorship Certification. With 5 years of service on the board, together with as Chair of the Governance Committee, Riel’s expertise and deep {industry} perception uniquely place him to information the grower-owned firm into its subsequent chapter.
Riel steps into the position of Chair following Mike Smith’s impactful five-year tenure. He expressed gratitude and enthusiasm for the chance to succeed Smith on this essential position. “It has been very thrilling to look at the YCH Board Governance mannequin mature during the last a number of years, and it’s my purpose to proceed on this path,” he stated. “I see the YCH mannequin as really distinctive. We have now very proficient folks working alongside a number of the finest growers within the {industry} to serve our brewing clients. I stay up for collaborating with the Board and administration to proceed to enhance the entire YCH group.”
Smith is one in all YCH’s founders, and beneath his management, the board achieved a number of key milestones, together with efficiently onboarding a brand new CEO and two exterior administrators. This cohesion helped to raise the corporate’s world management in hop provide by setting new benchmarks in high quality, transparency, and accountable enterprise practices. His dedication helped earn YCH prestigious nationwide recognition as Non-public Firm Board of the 12 months by Administrators & Boards. With a considerate succession plan developed collectively, Riel will incorporate his board expertise and experience into the position, positioning YCH to achieve new heights in governance not often seen in agriculture.
Reflecting on his 35-year journey with Yakima Chief Hops, Smith described his involvement as the head of his skilled profession. “What started as an concept to enhance the system for growers turned a decades-long journey of resilience, pleasure, and function,” he stated, talking to his path from co-founder to Board Chair. “All organizations should evolve, and that evolution is dependent upon new voices and recent management. I’m thrilled that Kevin is stepping in as Chair. I couldn’t be extra assured in him or the energy of this board. It’s time for the subsequent technology of management to information YCH ahead, and that begins with the final remaining founding member stepping apart to make room.”
YCH Chief Govt Officer Ryan Hopkins expressed his enthusiasm for Riel’s election as Board Chair, stating, “Yakima Chief Hops has at all times punched above its weight, because of the energy of our Board of Administrators.” Highlighting Riel’s spectacular observe report in board management, Hopkins added, “With Kevin Riel entering into the chair seat, we’ve added one in all agriculture’s most revered board leaders to the helm. His experience amplifies our Mission of connecting the world’s most interesting brewers with household hop farms. Kevin’s formal management place may also enable YCH the experience we have to accomplish our Imaginative and prescient, which is to be the worldwide hop provider of selection.” Together with his background in hop farming and enterprise management, Riel brings experience and coronary heart to the position, embodying YCH’s dedication to its growers, workers, and brewing companions.
Yakima Chief Hops
YCH is a 100% grower-owned world hop provider with a mission to attach the world’s most interesting brewers with household hop farms. Working for over 30 years, we now have grow to be leaders in innovation, high quality, and customer support. We’re a useful resource for brewers, offering industry-leading analysis and merchandise. We’re advocates of sustainability and significant social causes, working to assist the communities round us. https://www.yakimachief.com/
