The AgSource Board of Directors has named Pat Baier Chief Operating Officer of the cooperative, effective immediately. Baier succeeds Pete Giacomini, who now serves as Cooperative Resources International (CRI) Vice President of Business Development.

Agsource logo"AgSource was fortunate to have 27 years of Pete Giacomini's leadership. We are also very fortunate to have a successor with the broad skill set, experience and knowledge that Pat Baier possesses," states Ed Strauss, AgSource Board President.

Baier has a 26 year history with the dairy industry and the cooperative. He started his career as a Sales & Service Technician with 21st Century Genetics, now known as Genex, AgSource's sister subsidiary. Subsequent promotions led to experience in genetic evaluation, sales and management positions. In 1999, he was named Associate Vice President of Genex Domestic Marketing. Based in California, he managed the sales and service to dairy and beef customers in nine western states before moving back to Wisconsin in 2004 to assume the position of Vice President of AgSource DHI Operations. For the past nine years, he has been responsible for DHI product development and management of marketing and consulting programs. Baier graduated from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls, earning a bachelor's degree in animal science with a minor in agricultural business.

He currently represents AgSource on national and international councils, including the Council of Dairy Cattle Breeding and International Committee on Animal Recording.

Baier resides in Mount Horeb, Wis., with his wife, Ruth, and three daughters, Lauren, Liza and Tess. He enjoys volunteering in community events, especially local youth basketball programs and is a founding member of the Mount Horeb Youth Basketball Club.

AgSource Cooperative Services provides agricultural and environmental laboratory analysis and management information services to clients located throughout the United States and across the globe. The largest full-service DHI provider in the country, AgSource is a member-owned cooperative and a subsidiary of Cooperative Resources International. Find out more at www.AgSource.com.

02.08.2013