Richard R. Halverson
Fountain City,WI
Summary
Dynamic leader in organic agriculture with over 30 years of experience driving growth in CPG and food sectors. Proven track record includes transforming a failing feed mill into a certified organic operation and leading a team to achieve significant multi-million-dollar revenue growth.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Enrich Foods/Great River Milling Company
06.2023 - 09.2024
- Served as General Manager of the organization that purchased my company in June of 2023.
- Duties included overseeing all operations of the business from supply chain through production.
- In addition, managed two facilities with 40+ employees, operating five production lines daily.
- Assisted with the transition of the new General Manager.
Owner, President and CEO
Organic Ventures Inc., DBA Great River Organic Milling Company
04.2004 - 06.2023
- In April of 2004 I purchased a small, failing organic flour milling business (Great River Organic Milling Company) located near Waumandee, Wisconsin.
- At the time of purchase, there were three employees and approximately $300K in revenue.
- Over the next 20 years we worked on building Great River Milling into a successful business and brand in both retail and e-commerce platforms.
- Creating a multi-million-dollar organization with a positive EBITDA and a team of forty employees.
- In 2021 during the height of the pandemic we built a 30,000 square foot, state-of-the-art, SQF certified production facility north of Fountain City on Indian Creek Road.
- Providing private label as well as branded packaging options to well-known national retailers.
- In June of 2023 we successfully brought the company to market and sold it to a multi-national organization.
Owner/Operator
Great River Ag Service Inc.
Arcadia, Wisconsin
04.2017 - 02.2024
- In April of 2017 in conjunction with and as a value add to my organic flour milling business, I purchased a failing feed milling operation.
- Within months I converted the conventional feed mill to a certified organic feed milling operation that also serviced conventional feed customers.
- I successfully negotiated contracts to become the provider of organic and conventional feed products for a large multi-national feed operation serving customers in the Midwest.
- I sold this business in February 2024.
- Managed daily operations for agricultural services and product distribution.
Senior VP of Sales and Marketing
Century Foods International, (CFI)
Sparta, WI
03.1998 - 03.2004
- I started in 1998 as a National Sales Manager for Century Foods International.
- By January of 2000 I was promoted to VP of Sales and Marketing.
- In January 2001, promoted to Senior VP of Sales and Marketing reporting to the President and CEO Mike Otten.
- Led sales team and managed transportation department, overseeing logistics for outbound shipments.
- In January 2000 I also became a minority shareholder in the company due to exceeding expectations for sales growth and net earnings.
- In February 2002 Mike tragically passed away from a sudden heart attack.
- This event left me and the others on the management team to continue operations.
- Mike’s family mandated that we bring the company to market and sell it.
- Navigated challenges of managing organization with 400 employees and over $100M in revenue during transition period.
- We negotiated a deal with Hormel Foods that closed in September of 2003 for what would be a $115M dollar cash transaction.
- Served as SVP of Sales and Marketing until March 2004, training replacement to ensure smooth transition before departure.
National Sales Manager
La Crosse Milling Company
Fountain City, WI
11.1993 - 01.1998
- In November of 1993, I moved from St Paul MN to Fountain City WI to take a position as National Sales Manager for La Crosse Milling Company.
- Managed sales and operations for human consumption oatmeal business at La Crosse Milling, overseeing production scheduling and transportation logistics to optimize supply chain efficiency.
- Achieved sales growth from 17 thousand tons to 26 thousand tons of food grade oatmeal in 5 years, driving significant increase in market share.
- Facilitated construction of new production facility to accommodate increased demand and support sales growth.
National Sales Manager
Granary Harvest
Saint Paul, Minnesota
01.1990 - 10.1993
- Coordinated national retail sales distribution and placement for grain products to maximize market reach.
Education
Masters of Business Administration - Certification
Tulane University Freeman School of Business
New Orleans, LA01-2005
Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN01-1981
High School -
Mariner High School
White Bear Lake, MN01-1979
Skills
- Operational management
- Supply chain optimization
- Production efficiency
- Financial analysis
- Regulatory compliance
- Team leadership
- Customer relationship management
Hobbies and Interests
- Great Lakes Boating
- Dog Training
Licenses And Training
- United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariners Captains License, 50-ton Masters, OUPV Operator of Uninspected vessels, Great Lakes, Western Rivers, Inland Waters and Near Coastal with an assistance towing endorsement, ordinary seaman, Wiper and Stewards endorsements.
- FAA Pilots License, not current
Timeline
General Manager
Enrich Foods/Great River Milling Company
06.2023 - 09.2024
Owner/Operator
Great River Ag Service Inc.
04.2017 - 02.2024
Owner, President and CEO
Organic Ventures Inc., DBA Great River Organic Milling Company
04.2004 - 06.2023
Senior VP of Sales and Marketing
Century Foods International, (CFI)
03.1998 - 03.2004
National Sales Manager
La Crosse Milling Company
11.1993 - 01.1998
National Sales Manager
Granary Harvest
01.1990 - 10.1993
Masters of Business Administration - Certification
Tulane University Freeman School of Business
Augsburg College
High School -
Mariner High School