The man who led Saskatchewan Wheat Pool through one of its most controversial changes in the past 75 years will retire this spring.
Leroy Larsen, president since 1993, announced last week he will step down April 1.
“I’m not getting any younger,” he said. “It was mostly driven by an age factor and my desire for my wife and I to spend a little time with our grandchildren, for me to spend a little time on the farm … play golf a little more.”
Larsen, 66, said he warned the members in his sub-district last year that this would be his last term as a delegate. He made his announcement now so they have ample time to find a replacement.
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Larsen became a local committee member in 1965. He was elected a delegate in 1970, a director in 1981 and to the executive committee in 1985. He served as second vice-president from 1987-93.
The past seven years as president have served up dramatic changes on the farm and within Sask Pool, he said. Grain gathering, transportation and customer base changed more for the co-operative in that time than they ever have, he said, and not always for the better.
“I think all of these things have added to the difficulty that the industry is facing right now.”
Larsen said he is most proud of the board’s decision to fundamentally change the financial structure of the pool and go to the Toronto Stock Exchange.
“Albeit controversial and time-consuming to put together, I think history will prove that it was the right thing to do and it will position Saskatchewan Wheat Pool to survive and grow into the future,” he said.
Ups and downs
Also during his tenure the pool launched Project Horizon, the construction of 22 high-throughput concrete terminals that resulted in the company’s move into
Alberta and Manitoba and the planned closure of about 235 smaller wooden elevators in Saskatchewan.
During the next two months Larsen intends to make sure new chief executive officer Mayo Schmidt has all the necessary information he needs to turn the company’s financial fortunes around.
He also plans to continue his work on the farm income issue.
Larsen expects it will be difficult to leave such things behind, but he plans to continue offering his opinions.
“I hope I am not a pest in suggesting to the people in responsible positions, however, to suggest that they should have done something different.”
Larsen also hopes his son, Andy, will appreciate some help around their Canwood-area farm.
“I’ve always joked about the fact that when I go back to the farm he will have to give me something that is not as technical as some of the new equipment,” he said.
“He’ll put me on the stonepicker or something like that.”
Larsen’s replacement will be elected from among the 16 directors in place in April.
Leroy Larsen
- First elected as a Saskatchewan Wheat Pool delegate in 1970 in District 15, then elected its director in 1981. Joined board of directors executive in 1985. Elected second vice-president in 1987 and president in 1993.
- Currently a representative to Pacific Elevators Ltd., Western Pool Terminals, Comercializadora La Junta, Prince Rupert Grain Ltd., Westac, Western
Co-operative Fertilizers and Xcan Grain Pool Inc.
- Obtained diploma in agriculture from University of Saskatchewan, 1953.
- Has mixed farm near Canwood, Sask. Now 66 years old, Larsen is married and has two children.
Source: Saskatchewan Wheat Pool
