MBOLD is excited to announce that Jase Wagner, president and CEO of Compeer Financial, will serve as its new chair. Wagner succeeds Dimitrios Smyrnios, former CEO of Schwan’s Company.  
 
“Something special is happening here in Minnesota,” Wagner said. “This unique, collaborative effort is scaling up global solutions that are critical for the future of our industries and the planet. I’m honored to have this opportunity to lead MBOLD and bring the voices of farmers, businesses and others to the table as we pursue this important mission.”    

“Jase brings excellent experience and a proven leadership track record, and I look forward to working with him and other leaders to create further positive impact for our state and beyond,” said Jeff Harmening, chairman and CEO of General Mills, who served as the coalition’s first chair and remains active on the executive council. “By harnessing the reach and expertise of our members, we will lead the way in creating a more resilient food system.”

As a member-owned farm credit cooperative serving agriculture and rural communities, Compeer Financial provides comprehensive financial services, including loans, leases and risk management to nearly 75,000 member-owners across Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Wagner joined Compeer in 2009 and previously served as its CFO. He has been active with MBOLD since 2020.

“We are excited that Jase is taking the helm as MBOLD accelerates our collaborative efforts to make food and agriculture part of the solution to climate change,” said JoAnne Berkenkamp, managing director of MBOLD at the GREATER MSP Partnership. “We’re also grateful for Dimitrios Smyrnios’s many contributions as our coalition’s chair, and we wish him well in retirement.”