Andresen Selected as the Next CEO of Valley United Co-op
Aug 10, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Andresen succeeds Paul Coppin, who is retiring after a distinguished 48-year career in agriculture, including 27 years leading Valley United Co-op. To ensure a smooth transition, Coppin will remain with the cooperative in an advisory role.
In announcing the leadership transition, McInnes expressed confidence in Andresen's ability to guide the cooperative into its next chapter.
"The Board is confident that AJ is the right leader to guide Valley United Co-op into the future," said McInnes. "He brings a powerful combination of operational expertise, strategic vision, and servant leadership that aligns exceptionally well with the mission, values, and long-term goals of our cooperative."
McInnes added, "AJ understands both the complexity of modern agricultural retail and the importance of relationships within the cooperative system. He has earned the trust and respect of employees, customers, and member-owners because he understands the business, values people, and remains closely connected to the growers and rural communities we serve."
Andresen expressed gratitude for the opportunity and emphasized his commitment to the cooperative's members and employees.
"I am deeply honored by the Board's trust," said Andresen. "Valley United has never been about individual titles. It is about the member-owners, customers, and local communities we serve every day. I have been fortunate to work alongside leaders who built a strong and resilient organization, and I look forward to leading our dedicated team as we continue investing in our infrastructure, our people, and the future of agriculture."
Valley United Co-op has long served as a cornerstone of the region's agricultural economy, providing products, services, and expertise that help farmers and rural businesses succeed. Under Andresen's leadership, the cooperative will continue building on that foundation while enhancing member services, strengthening supply chain capabilities, and embracing innovation to meet the evolving needs of modern agriculture.
The leadership transition marks an important milestone for Valley United Co-op while reaffirming its longstanding commitment to serving the agricultural community with vision, integrity, and purpose.
"Leadership transitions are true milestones," McInnes said. "Paul didn't just manage the business. He developed the people, culture, and financial strength necessary for this exact moment. His legacy is reflected in the enduring strength of the cooperative and the strong leadership team he helped build. We thank him for his extraordinary contributions and wish him all the best in retirement."
Andresen Selected as the Next CEO of Valley United Co-op
Reynolds, N.D. (August 10, 2026) — Jeff McInnes, Chairman of Valley United Co-op, announced that the Board of Directors has selected AJ Andresen as the cooperative's next Chief Executive Officer, effective November 1, 2026.Andresen succeeds Paul Coppin, who is retiring after a distinguished 48-year career in agriculture, including 27 years leading Valley United Co-op. To ensure a smooth transition, Coppin will remain with the cooperative in an advisory role.
In announcing the leadership transition, McInnes expressed confidence in Andresen's ability to guide the cooperative into its next chapter.
"The Board is confident that AJ is the right leader to guide Valley United Co-op into the future," said McInnes. "He brings a powerful combination of operational expertise, strategic vision, and servant leadership that aligns exceptionally well with the mission, values, and long-term goals of our cooperative."
McInnes added, "AJ understands both the complexity of modern agricultural retail and the importance of relationships within the cooperative system. He has earned the trust and respect of employees, customers, and member-owners because he understands the business, values people, and remains closely connected to the growers and rural communities we serve."
Andresen expressed gratitude for the opportunity and emphasized his commitment to the cooperative's members and employees.
"I am deeply honored by the Board's trust," said Andresen. "Valley United has never been about individual titles. It is about the member-owners, customers, and local communities we serve every day. I have been fortunate to work alongside leaders who built a strong and resilient organization, and I look forward to leading our dedicated team as we continue investing in our infrastructure, our people, and the future of agriculture."
Valley United Co-op has long served as a cornerstone of the region's agricultural economy, providing products, services, and expertise that help farmers and rural businesses succeed. Under Andresen's leadership, the cooperative will continue building on that foundation while enhancing member services, strengthening supply chain capabilities, and embracing innovation to meet the evolving needs of modern agriculture.
The leadership transition marks an important milestone for Valley United Co-op while reaffirming its longstanding commitment to serving the agricultural community with vision, integrity, and purpose.
"Leadership transitions are true milestones," McInnes said. "Paul didn't just manage the business. He developed the people, culture, and financial strength necessary for this exact moment. His legacy is reflected in the enduring strength of the cooperative and the strong leadership team he helped build. We thank him for his extraordinary contributions and wish him all the best in retirement."