District: 2
Term Expires: 2025
Serving as the Chairman and representing District 2 from Greene County on the Sunrise Cooperative Board of Directors is Doug Swaim. Doug previously served as the Vice Chairman of Sunrise and also brings experience as the Vice Chairman of the predecessor Trupointe Cooperative. Aside from his time on the Trupointe board, Doug also represented member-owners on the Southwest Landmark board.
Based out of Cedarville, Ohio, Doug farms corn and soybeans through S Corp LLC that includes Hickory Dell Farms, Inc. and Swaim Farms LLC. Alongside the farming setup, Doug oversees a gilt multiplier operation. Doug and his wife, Teresa, have two children, Luke and Lilly. The Swaim family attends Grace Baptist Church and Doug is an active member of the Ohio Corn Growers Association, Ohio Soybean Association and the Greene County Farm Bureau. In his free time, Doug enjoys spending time with family and friends, golfing and weekend trips.
There is a strong connection in the cooperative system between multiple entities and Doug values that link. “I believe the cooperative brings its owners value by being the link between farmers and manufacturers and leading the industry with the newest technologies.” Doug continues that “the success of the cooperative is dependent on the success of its customer-owners.”
At-Large
Term Expires: 2024
Representing the Sunrise Cooperative member-owners as an at-large representative on the board is Dean Sweeting. Dean operates Sweeting Family Farms LLC in North Fairfield, Ohio, located in Huron County. He joins the board from the predecessor Sunrise Cooperative.
Sweeting Family Farms LLC consists of a corn and soybean farming operation, alongside 15 different fresh market vegetables, peaches and blackberries. Dean and his wife, Jane, have two sons, John (34) and Jeff (32). Outside of his cooperative board experience, Dean has also served on the school, FSA and township zoning boards, along with serving as a Norwalk United Methodist Church trustee. He is also active with the Ohio Corn Growers Association, Ohio Soybean Association, Huron County Farm Bureau, Fruit Growers Association and the Vegetable Growers Association. Dean spends his free time with his grandchildren, riding ATV’s and UTV’s, swimming and family vacations.
A cooperative covers multiple basis for Dean’s farming operation. “Having a business that is working for me and having a company that I can trust to give me accurate information on hybrid selection, new biologicals, new chemistry, timing and placement of inputs and advancements in technology, as well as contracting grain two or three years into the future” is how Dean views a cooperative. And a cooperative shares its success with its member-owners is an added benefit.
District: 1
Term Expires: 2027
Gene Cook of Seneca County is a District One representative on the Sunrise Cooperative Board of Directors. He serves as the board secretary, an office he held at the predecessor Sunrise Cooperative. Gene also served on the River Springs and Country Spring Farmers Cooperative boards.
Through Moon Light Farms, LLC, Gene farms corn and soybeans, along with his wife, Becky. Gene and Becky have three sons, Jason (37), Kevin (36) and Adam (33), all of which can be found assisting on the farm. Included in the immediate Cook family is Jason’s wife, Shonna, and Adam’s wife, Melissa. And rounding out the family are seven grandchildren, Kaitlyn (16), Levi (14), Krista (12), Lauren (9), Caroline (4), Keaton (3) and Owen (1). In his spare time, Gene enjoys spending time with his grandchildren and attending church activities.
A Fremont St. Joseph High School graduate, Gene went on to earn an associate’s degree in engineering. He is active with the Seneca County Farm Bureau, Knights of Columbus.
There has been a good sense of reliability and forward thinking that has surrounded the cooperative over the years and Gene feels it will continue to stay on top of the ever-changing agriculture industry. “Over the years the cooperative has been a company which provides valuable goods and services to area customers. This new cooperative will continue the trend of its two predecessors to keep up with the farming industry.”
District: At-Large
Term Expires: 2026
Serving as an at-large representative and Assistant Secretary on the Sunrise Cooperative Board of Directors from Auglaize County is James Metzger. James previously served on the board for the predecessor Trupointe Cooperative.
Based out of Wapakoneta, Ohio, James farms corn, soybeans and wheat. James and his wife, Corinne, have four children, Noah (17), Natalie (9), Samantha (8) and Trevor (4). James earned a bachelor of science degree in ag business. Aside from his time on the farm, and representing member-owners on the Sunrise board, James serves as the Clay Township Fiscal Officer. He is an active member of St. Marks Lutheran Church and the Ohio Farm Bureau. In his spare time, James enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
Working together is a key component of a cooperative system according to James. “When membership and the cooperative work together, we can maximize efficiencies and profits.”
District: 1
Term Expires: 2026
Serving as vice-chairman of the Sunrise Cooperative Board of Directors is John Lowry. John represents District One from his Wapakoneta, Ohio farm located in Auglaize County. Dedicating over 30 years of service to the cooperative board, John held the role of Chairman of the board and also held the role of chairman at the predecessor Trupointe Cooperative, as well as serving on the Auglaize Farmers and Advanced AgriSolutions boards.
A graduate of Wapakoneta High School, John and his wife, Lana, farm corn, soybeans and wheat. John and Lana are the proud parents of six children. Chantee (39) and her husband, Matt, have three children, Baily, Colton and Miah, along with Kyle (36) and his wife, Megan, and children Kaleb and Austin. Brad (35) is married to Ashley and together they have three children, Elijah, Isabella and Emily, while Paul (32) and his wife, Amanda, are the parents of Elijah and Arya. Rounding out the Lowry family is Ryan (29) and his wife, Gayle, and Anna (26) and her spouse, Dustin. John is an active member of the Rousculp Church of Christ and the Auglaize County Farm Bureau. He is a member of the Uniopolis Fire Department for 39 years, where he served as fire chief and you can still find John assisting with the EMS. In his spare time John enjoys cooking, traveling and doing volunteer work.
A trusted business partner and advisor for John is his cooperative, in which he has a voice and a strong investment. In return, his loyalty is appreciated. “The cooperative expands my opportunities so I am better able to accomplish more in less time,” states John. “It also helps me secure my financial goals resulting in mutual benefits for each.”
In his role as chairman John understands the value the cooperative presents for its member-owners today and into the future. “Our cooperative can never be content with our current status. We must continue to prepare for our future success and only look back in appreciation.”
District: 1
Term Expires: 2025
Representing District 1 on the Sunrise Cooperative board is Brian Snavely. Brian resides in Republic, Ohio, located in Seneca County. He has previous experience serving on the Sunrise Cooperative board for three years prior to our merger with Trupointe Cooperative.
Brian earned his associate’s degree in farm management from The Ohio State University – ATI. He farms with his brothers, Rodney and Chris, as well as his father, Paul, as part of Snavely Farms, LLC. Together they farm corn, soybeans and wheat. Brian also contract feeds hogs from wean-to-finish, as well as participates in the operation of Snavely’s Sugar Shack.
The Snavely family is built around Brian and his wife, Michele. Together they have three grown children, Jeremy (28), Renee (23) and stepson, Justin (24). Brian is a member of the Seneca County Farm Bureau and the Seneca Soil and Water Conservation District. He is also a member of the Grace Community Church. In his free-time, Brian enjoys spending time hiking, biking, camping and spending time with his granddaughters.
Brian understands the importance of the cooperative. “The Sunrise tag line says, ‘Success Grows Here’. I would like to think that as a true cooperative, that means that when Sunrise is successful, that success is also experienced by its member-owners.
District: 2
Term Expires: 2026
District: 2
Term Expires: 2024
Kirk Walker of Clinton County represents District Two on the Sunrise Cooperative Board of Directors. He brings over 27 years of board experience from time served on three predecessor cooperative boards: Clinton Landmark, Southwest Landmark and Trupointe Cooperative.
A native of New Vienna, Ohio, Kirk farms in partnership with his brother, Kent Walker, and son, Brice Walker. Together they grow corn and soybeans in Clinton and Fayette counties. Kirk is also an active member of the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association, Ohio Soybean Association, Clinton County Farm Bureau and the East Clinton FFA Advisory Board.
Kirk is a 1989 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Agriculture with a degree in agriculture economics. In 1991 he married his wife, Tammy, and together they have two children, Rebecca (25) and Brice (21). Hobbies that Kirk enjoys are summer boating at local state parks with family, water sports, short Ohio trips and motorcycle riding.
A strong believer in the cooperative system, Kirk appreciates the value that it brings to his own operation and strives to bring added value to all member-owners from his seat on the board. “Having a stable, competitive co-op in the marketplace for products and services has always been important for our operation. I have always tried to represent all owner/user/patrons in a fair manner, as they are the core owners of the cooperative.”
Term Expires: 2025
Serving on the Sunrise Cooperative board from Crawford County is Bob Finney. Bob represents District 3 from his family farm in Crestline, Ohio. He has previous experience serving on the Sunrise Cooperative board in 2015.
Bob owns and operates his family farm that was established in the late 1800’s. Currently, Bob farms corn, soybeans, what and hay with his sons, Alex and Chase. The family also has a small cow/calf herd while purchasing feeders throughout the year to finish.
The Finney family is built around Bob and his wife, Monica. Together they have two sons, Alex (23) and Chase (22). Bob is a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, is a past president of the Crawford County Farm Bureau and is a Vernon Township trustee.
Bob’s desire is that his time served on the Sunrise Cooperative board will help, “to build the legacy of a strong and successful cooperative and to serve farmers of all sizes.”
Term Expires: 2024
Mike Kocher is representing District 3 on the Sunrise Cooperative Board of Directors. He resides in Marion County. Mike also served on the predecessor Sunrise Cooperative and Country Star boards.
MKB Farms Ltd. and Kocher Livestock LLC is based in Galion, Ohio. The farming operation raises corn, soybeans, wheat and hay, while feeding 800 head of fat cattle. Mike earned an associate’s degree in livestock production from The Ohio State University-ATI. He is active with the Ohio Corn Grower’s Association, Ohio Soybean Association, Ohio Cattleman’s Association and the Marion County Farm Bureau.
The Kocher family is comprised of Mike and his wife, Brenda, along with children, Heather (29) and Nick (27). Joining the immediate family is Heather’s husband, Sam, and their daughter Ellie (4) and son, Emmet (1.5), along with Nick’s wife, Becca, and their daughter, Lucy (2). In his free time, Mike enjoys spending time with family and friends, camping, travelling and playing cards.
Mike feels that the products, service and people that the cooperative provides brings value to not only his operation, but all member-owners. “The cooperative is a business set up to give me products that are important to my operation at a reasonable price with all the research and knowledge behind them to be profitable. The employees are some of the best in the business and it is a company that positions itself to have the product available when needed. The cooperative is always striving to bring the latest technology and to be here for the customer in the future.”
District: 3
Term Expires: 2027
District: At-Large
Term Expires: 2027