A Legacy of Leadership

The strength of American Crystal’s leaders is reflected in the strength of our company.

1899
Henry Oxnard and investors form American Beet Sugar Company.

1928
W. Sinsheimer becomes American Beet president.

1934
Claude Boettcher elected chairman of the Board.

1955
Von Bergen named president.

1962
Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association hires Al Bloomquist as executive director.

1966
Charles Briggs named president.

1972
On January 28, Bloomquist writes Briggs, proposing that valley growers buy American Crystal.

1973
On February 15, area growers finalize American Crystal purchase and form one of the nation’s first and largest beet sugar cooperatives.

Jack Tanner named cooperative’s first president.

William Brekken serves as first chairman of the Board of Directors.

1974
Arnet Weinlaeder elected chairman of the board.

1978
Freeman Winstanley named CEO for only a few months.

Charles Shamel named president and CEO.

Clark Ewen elected chairman of the Board.

1983
Pat Benedict elected chairman of the Board.

1986
Ron Hayes chosen as president and CEO.

1987
Clark Ewen elected chairman of the board for the second time.

1989
Fred Born elected chairman of the Board.

1990
Al Bloomquist caps many years of service to by serving as president and CEO.

1992
Joseph Famalette named president and CEO.

1993
N. "Cactus" Warner elected chairman of the Board.

 

1994
Robert Nyquist elected chairman of the Board.

 

1995
Marcus Richardson named interim president.

1996
Daniel McCarty named president and CEO.

1997
Wayne Langen elected chairman of the Board.

1998
James Horvath named president and CEO.

2001
Robert Vivatson elected chairman of the board.

2004
Terry Stadstad elected chairman of the board.

2005
David Kragnes elected chairman of the Board.

2007
David Berg named president and CEO.

Michael Astrup elected chairman of the Board.

2008
Francis Kritzberger elected chairman of the Board.

2009
Neil Widner elected chairman of the Board.

2011
Robert Green elected chairman of the Board.

2016
Tom Astrup appointed American Crystal’s eleventh president and CEO.

2017
Curt Knutson elected chairman of the Board.

2019
David Mueller elected chairman of the Board.

2021
Kelly Erickson elected chairman of the Board.

2023
Perry Skaurud elected chairman of the Board.