Jun 15, 2016
SACRAMENTO, CA – Farmers’ Rice Cooperative (FRC) announced yesterday that Rick Rhody has been named as the new chief executive officer. Rhody will replace Kirk Messick, who has been serving as the interim CEO.
“We are pleased with how Kirk led FRC during this time of transition and know that his 28 years of FRC experience will set up the new CEO for success,” FRC Board Chairman Herb Holzapfel said. “The rice industry faces a lot of challenges right now. We know that for FRC growers to be successful we need the right leadership at the top. We are confident that Rick brings that leadership to FRC.”
Prior to joining Farmers’ Rice Cooperative, Rhody had the opportunity to help build Sun Valley Rice from the ground up where he served in almost every position from field staff to CFO. He is a Sacramento Valley native and currently resides in Yuba City. A Chico State graduate he also holds an MBA from Saint Mary’s College and is a recent graduate of the prestigious California Agricultural Leadership Program. Rhody has a lifetime connection to the rice industry beyond Sun Valley Rice, from his youth in Rio Oso to summer college jobs working on a rice farm and hay ranches just outside of Chico.