Cooperative Hall of Fame "America's Legacy of Cooperation"
Established by the National Cooperative Business Association, the Cooperative Hall of Fame honors those distinguished individuals whose contributions to cooperative business have been genuinely heroic. Inductees are limited to a prestigious group carefully selected to preserve the nature of this special recognition. It is a distinct honor to be inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame.
The Cooperative Hall of Fame is housed in the offices of the National Cooperative Business Association in Washington, DC, where a permanent collection of commemorative plaques tells of the contributions made by each inductee.
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The Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) administers the Cooperative Hall of Fame. Nominations are received annually and reviewed by a screening and a selection committee, each composed of current leaders from the various sectors of the U.S. cooperative movement.
The Cooperative Hall of Fame induction ceremony is also a major fundraising event for CDF. It is fitting that the occasion to bestow the highest honor of the cooperative community on those individuals who have selflessly given of their lives to promote cooperatives, is also a vehicle to raise funds to perpetuate their work and life-long commitment.
Meet the Inductees
CHS, Inc.
Congratulations to the 2023 inductees! Your leadership and commitment to helping others improve lives and communities through cooperative education and development have inspired many and set the stage for a brighter future. Thank you for sharing your passion and expertise on behalf of cooperatives everywhere and for joining CHS as we create connections to empower agriculture.
CoBank
Congratulations to the 2023 inductees to the Co-op Hall of Fame! CoBank thanks you for the many lasting, positive impacts you have made to help more people use and benefit from the cooperative business model.
Cooperative Hall of Fame Members
The members of the Cooperative Hall of Fame congratulate Linda Leaks, Leslie Mead, Sheldon Petersen, Maurice Smith, and Halena Wilson. Your work in education, training, development, financial security, and rural electrification strengthens cooperatives, empowers communities, and improves lives. Welcome to the Hall of Fame!
Anne Reynolds
Dan Kelley
Daniel Waddle
Howard Brodsky
Jessica Gordon Nembhard
Jim Jones
Judy Ziewacz
Karen Zimbelman
Larry Blanchard
Marilyn Scholl
Martin Lowery
Paul Bradley
Paul Hazen
Pete Crear
Rebecca Dunn
Rich Larochelle
Rosemary Mahoney
Terry Lewis
Walden Swanson and Kate Sumberg
William J. Nelson
National Milk Producers Federation
Congratulations to this year’s inductees into the Cooperative Hall of Fame. America’s dairy farmers appreciate the important role that cooperatives play in the business of farming, as well as the many services that member owned co-ops provide in other areas as well. Working together, we can accomplish great things.
Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund
The entire Federation family congratulates the 2023 class of Cooperative Hall of Fame inductees.
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You all have played an integral role in advancing the cooperative movement across the nation and around the world.
National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International
NCBA CLUSA members and staff congratulate Linda Leaks, Leslie Mead, Sheldon Petersen, Maurice Smith, and Halena Wilson on their induction into the 2023 Cooperative Hall of Fame. We applaud each of you for your dedication to the cooperative movement.
NCBA CLUSA & CDF Board of Directors
The Boards of Directors of NCBA CLUSA and the Cooperative Development Foundation applaud the outstanding accomplishments of the 2023 inductees to the Cooperative Hall of Fame. Thank you for your service to cooperatives.
Brad Captain
Brian Cavey
Carla Decker
Christina Jennings
Christopher Roe
Cornelius Blanding
Dave Swanson
Deborah Trocha
Devin Fuhrman
Emma McCormick
Erbin Crowell
Esteban Kelly
Jake Hamlin
Jeffrey Connor
Jill Tomalin
John Holdsclaw IV
Judy Ziewacz
Karen Zimbelman
Linda Tank
Larry Blanchard
Michelle L Schry
Paul Bradley
Patrick Connealy
Rich Larochelle
Raymond Guthrie
2023 Hall of Fame Sponsors
Hall of Fame Sponsors
Table Sponsors
African American Credit Union Coalition
Building Cooperative Communities
Carolinas Credit Union League
Civic Federal Credit Union
Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development
CoBank
CooperationWorks!
CSI Support & Development Services
Credit Union National Association/National Credit Union Foundation
Farmer Mac
Local Government Federal Credit Union
National Cooperative Bank
National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International
National Co+op Grocers
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC)
Nationwide
NRTC
Ralph K. Morris Foundation
Rochdale Capital
Shared Capital Cooperative
The Ajani Group
TruStage