FARGO, N.D. -- Christi Offutt, CEO of RDO Equipment Co., has been named to succeed her father Ron Offutt as chair of RDO Enterprise, comprised of RDO Equipment Co. and R.D. Offutt Co.
Offutt has served as CEO and chief operating officer of RDO Equipment since January 2001. Effective Jan. 1, Offutt will be named chair of RDO Enterprise and Ron Offutt will become chair emeritus. As chair, Christi Offutt will partner with the respective executive teams to help set strategic direction for both RDO Equipment and R.D. Offutt Co. She will continue serving as CEO of RDO Equipment working with her existing leadership team.
"As I reflect upon my family legacy, I recall working as a partner with my father in our farming operation and how he taught me to face challenges and look for opportunities," says Ron Offutt. "So with the purchase of my first equipment store, I knew that building strong partnerships was the key to growing and succeeding. Over the past 20 years, I have been fortunate to have a generation of extremely talented family business leaders who have continued this legacy of creating and nurturing partnerships to grow our business. As a strong leader within this generation, Christi has shown expertise in developing stakeholder relationships. Her hard work and cultural insight have laid the foundation for success and growth today and for our future generations."
Christi Offutt says, "RDO Equipment Co. and R.D. Offutt Co. are exceptional examples of how values and a great culture are the foundation of business success. We have created strong relationships with our stakeholder groups and I respect my family's leadership in creating these partnerships. The legacy that comes with this position is one that I am proud to be a part of -- it's one that I am confident we will continue to strengthen and nurture. I look forward to working with the board, my family members, and all the teams across the organization."
R.D. Offutt Co., headquartered in Fargo, N.D., is the largest potato grower in the U.S. and operates farms in eight states and one Canadian province.
