Organic Valley Appoints Rick Simington as Executive Vice President of Sales

LA FARGE, Wis. — Organic Valley is excited to announce the appointment of Rick Simington as the new executive vice president of sales, a move that will help the cooperative grow the market for organic milk, cheese, eggs, produce, ingredients and beyond. A seasoned leader, Simington’s career spans 20 years in sales and marketing, with significant achievements at major organizations like Kellogg Co. and Chobani. He joins the cooperative beginning on Nov. 13.

In this pivotal role, Simington will steer the cooperative’s sales initiatives and foster the relationship between Organic Valley and its retail, ingredient and private-label customers. He will help the cooperative progress on its journey to become the organic dairy supplier of choice, ensuring that the cooperative’s values of sustainability and organic agriculture resonate in every transaction and customer interaction.

Simington has carved out an impressive track record, particularly in consumer packaged goods that closely relate to Organic Valley’s focus categories. His work at Kellogg Co. intersected with dairy, building a strong foundation that was further solidified with his successful sales acceleration at Chobani. Simington’s profound understanding of the dairy category, combined with his broader consumer goods experience, positions him as an adept leader for steering Organic Valley’s sales strategy and customer relationships.

Holding a Bachelor of Business Administration in Food Marketing from Western Michigan University, Simington’s academic background and professional trajectory have continuously focused on delivering excellence and innovation in the food industry.

“Joining Organic Valley feels like coming home to a mission I’ve always believed in,” Simington said. “The heart of this cooperative — its commitment to organic family farms — is something I’ve witnessed the value of since my youth where I grew up in a small farming community seeing daily the impact farmers have. It’s an honor to be part of a team dedicated to making such a profound difference in the lives of farmers, communities and consumers. I am eager to lead our sales force, leveraging my experiences to cultivate success and growth for the cooperative.”

Simington’s appointment shows a commitment to continued excellence and growth that benefits Organic Valley’s farmer-members and customers.

"Rick's appointment as EVP of Sales will drive growth for Organic Valley as we look to the future," CEO Jeff Frank said. "His depth of experience in sales, matched with personal and leadership philosophies that resonate with the core values of our cooperative, positions us for strategic growth while staying true to the core mission of Organic Valley. We're confident that Rick will drive our sales team to achieve new milestones and help us reach our goals."