New Employees Complete Extensive Training Program 

SHAWANO, Wis. - Genex Cooperative, Inc. has awarded three new employees and two interns with a certificate of completion for the artificial insemination (A.I.) training program. The program graduates (pictured left to right) include Elizabeth Radil of Alexandria, Minn., Sam Drenth of Decorah, Iowa, Meaghan Callahan of Cocoa, Fla., Adam Koppes of Maquoketa, Iowa, and Brian Illig of West Branch, Mich.

During the training program the participants spent two weeks at the cooperative's headquarters in Shawano, Wis., learning basic A.I. technique, semen handling, the estrous cycle and synchronization, heat detection and genetics. The program consisted of both classroom learning and hands-on practice, which prepared students for successful careers in providing high quality cattle reproductive service to dairy and beef producers.

With completion of the program, Illig will serve as a District Services Coordinator in western New York. As a District Services Coordinator, he will provide dairy and beef producers with genetics and daily A.I. service. Illig is a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in dairy management. He previously served as a dairy herd manager and as a Genex marketing intern.

Koppes joins Genex as a Marketing Development Specialist in eastern Iowa. As a Marketing Development Associate, Koppes will provide reproductive service but will also continue training in various support functions such as genetic and reproductive consulting. Koppes is a graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in dairy science. He served as a Genex marketing intern before accepting this position.

Radil has accepting a Marketing Development Associate position in the Watertown, S.D., area. Radil attended the University of Minnesota and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science. During college, she was interned at McAndrews Dairy and conducted relief breeding for Genex.

In addition, two interns completed the training program. Sam Drenth, a student at Iowa State University, will be serving as a marketing intern this summer in the southwest Wisconsin and northeast Iowa. Meaghan Callahan, a graduate of the University of Florida, served as an intern within the Genex Production Division this spring.

Genex is a subsidiary of Cooperative resources International (CRI). CRI, a member-owned holding cooperative, is comprised of three subsidiaries: Central Livestock Association, AgSource Cooperative Services and Genex. The CRI Mission Statement summarizes the goal of CRI: "To provide products and services as effectively as possible to maximize the profitability of members and customers worldwide while maintaining a strong cooperative."

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