Passing the Keys to Opportunity

Graduation has come and gone, and for 12 graduates, this marks the beginning of their professional careers. Throughout the month of June, Sunrise Cooperative will officially welcome its 2026 RISE FFA Career Program class, otherwise referred to as Sunrise University.

Set to begin their careers in agriculture at Sunrise are:

Troy Ayers is from Ashland, Ohio and is a graduate and FFA alum from South Central High School. Troy brings experience in customer service and agriculture from his time as a cashier and farmhand. He is a three-sport athlete, representing South Central in football, basketball and baseball. First Rotation: Crestline Grain

Elam Faust is from Hillsboro, Ohio. Elam is a graduate of Lynchburg-Clay High School and was a member of the Lynchburg-Clay FFA Chapter. He has earned his Greenhand, Chapter and State FFA degrees, while serving as chapter officer and showing pigs through 4-H. He brings first-hand experience to Sunrise from working on his family farm. First Rotation: Starbuck Agronomy

Wyatt Hall is from Willard, Ohio. He is a graduate of South Central High School and a four-year member of the South Central FFA Chapter. Wyatt has earned his Greenhand and Chapter degrees, while also being a letterwinner in basketball and baseball. He also served on the Teen Leadership Corps. First Rotation: Crestline Grain

Alex Hamons is from Greenwich, Ohio and is a graduate of South Central High School and an alum of the South Central FFA Chapter. Aside from his involvement in FFA, Alex has served as a co-captain in football, wrestling and baseball, while serving on the Teen Leadership Corps. First Rotation: Clarksfield Grain

Nolan Heilman is from Tiffin, Ohio and is a graduate of Old Fort High School where he was a four-year member of the Old Fort FFA Chapter. Nolan has earned his Greenhand, Chapter and State FFA Degrees, along with earning his associate’s degree in Agribusiness from Terra State Community College. He has held numerous leadership positions in FFA and brings agriculture experience from working with his family farm. First Rotation: Ballville Agronomy

Aidan Markley is from South Solon, Ohio and is a graduate and four-year FFA member of Miami Trace High School. He has earned his Greenhand and Chapter FFA degrees, while also being a scholar-athlete during his time on the bowling, basketball and baseball teams. He is active with his local church youth group. First Rotation: South Charleston Agronomy

Kenzi Ramsden is from Hillsboro, Ohio. She is a graduate of Fairfield High School and was a four-year member of the Fairfield FFA Chapter. Kenzi earned her Greenhand and Chapter FFA degrees and brings ag experience from working at a local pumpkin patch. First Rotation: Starbuck Agronomy

Isaac Richard is from Lima, Ohio. He is a graduate of the Richard Learning Academy and was a member of the Lima Senior FFA Chapter. Isaac earned his Greenhand and Chapter degrees and served as a National 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador. Isaac was the top recipient in 2026. First Rotation: Uniopolis Grain

Ella Sanders is from Greenwich, Ohio. She is a graduate of South Central High School and was a four-year member of the South Central FFA Chapter. She has held officer positions and served in multiple leadership roles. First Rotation: Clarksfield Grain

Allison Stickler is from Wakeman, Ohio. She is a graduate of Firelands High School and was a member of the Firelands FFA Chapter. Allison graduated early and earned her State FFA degree while being active in 4-H and her church. First Rotation: Norwalk Energy

Aiden Tener is from Springfield, Ohio. He is a graduate of Greenon High School and was a four-year member of the Greenon FFA Chapter. He has earned his Greenhand and Chapter degrees while working as a farmhand. First Rotation: South Charleston Agronomy

Ella Vondenhuevel is from Urbana, Ohio and is a graduate and FFA alum of West Liberty-Salem High School. She has experience working as a Vet Technician and is active in 4-H. First Rotation: South Charleston Agronomy

This class is the seventh group of new hires through our RISE Program, which boasts over a 75 percent retention rate. With the addition of this new class, Sunrise has 50 employees that joined through the RISE Program since 2020.

“You don’t need a college degree,” George D. Secor, President/CEO of Sunrise Cooperative said. “What matters is showing up every day with a positive, can-do attitude and a willingness to learn. If someone brings that mindset, we can teach them everything we do - as long as they’re eager to learn.”

The RISE FFA Career Program was developed to encourage employment with Sunrise immediately following high school graduation.

Sunrise is a leading agricultural and energy cooperative located in Ohio. This is a full-time position that will focus on all aspects of the cooperative and will work alongside fellow employees to grow the success of Sunrise customer-owners.