Cooperative Development Hall of Fame - Jason Dixson Photography - 190508 - 185804 - 1038.j

Our Sponsors

Thank you for your support of the 2025 Cooperative Hall of Fame. There is no better way to tell the cooperative story than through the life experiences of our cooperative heroes - individuals like Lori Capouch, Randy Lee, J. Tom Webb, and Estelle Witherspoon. We are proud to host the Cooperative Hall of Fame, which not only recognizes the cooperative movement's genuinely heroic leaders, but also raises funds to support CDF's economic and cooperative development work. Now on its 81st year, CDF continues its commitment to support new and expanding cooperative enterprises to increase public awareness of the significant contributions made by cooperatives to the nation's and world's economies.

Co-op Heroes Sponsor

CoBank

CoBank congratulates Estelle Witherspoon, Tom Webb, Randy Lee and Lori Capouch for their
outstanding achievements and contributions to cooperatives. Your recognition is well-deserved, and
your impact on the cooperative movement will long be remembered. The people of CoBank celebrate
you and your many accomplishments!

CoBank, a national cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America and member
of the Farm Credit System, is pleased to sponsor the 2025 Cooperative Hall of Fame. The success
of Farm Credit — a national network of cooperatively organized banks and lending associations
specifically chartered to serve agriculture and rural America — depends on the leadership of
committed, far-sighted individuals who understand the challenges and opportunities facing the
country’s rural communities.

Co-op Heroes Sponsor

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the national trade association representing
more than 900 local electric cooperatives. From growing suburbs to remote farming communities,
electric co-ops serve as engines of economic development for 42 million Americans across 56 percent of the nation’s landscape.

As demand for electricity skyrockets, keeping the lights on has never been more important. Electric
cooperatives are committed to powering and empowering local communities at a cost families and
businesses can afford. Expanding broadband access, embracing next-generation energy technologies
and investing $15 billion annually into the communities they serve – electric co-ops are ensuring that every part of our nation can lead in an era of American energy dominance.

Congratulations to the 2025 inductees. Your contributions to the cooperative community have rightly earned you a spot in the Cooperative Hall of Fame.

Co-op Heroes Sponsor

National Cooperative Bank

National Cooperative Bank congratulates the 2025 Cooperative Hall of Fame inductees. Thank you
for your dedication and commitment to the co-op sector. Your work has made a profound impact in
advancing the cooperative mission and helping communities thrive.

National Cooperative Bank (NCB) provides comprehensive banking products and services to
cooperatives, their members, and socially responsible organizations throughout the country.
What makes NCB unique is that the bank was created to address the financial needs of an
underserved market niche — people who join together cooperatively to meet personal, social, or
business needs, especially in low-income communities. Customers that choose NCB create an impact in the areas they care about — affordable housing, access to healthy food, small business, community health care, and renewable energy.

Your choices reflect your values. Your bank should, too.

Co-op Heroes Sponsor

National Co+op Grocers

National Co+op Grocers (NCG) honors 2025 Cooperative Hall of Fame inductees Lori Capouch, Randy Lee, J. Tom Webb and Estelle Witherspoon!

These inductees have made significant contributions to the cooperative movement, demonstrating true
commitment to cooperative principles, community service and making a difference in the lives of others.

In particular, we wish to honor Randy Lee. Randy was one of the visionary cooperators who worked
to establish NCG in the late 1990’s, serving on our board for nearly two decades providing steady
leadership to our fledgling organization. He guided our staff in the process of securing a national
purchasing contract for food co-ops with United Natural Foods, a cooperative innovation that has
changed the game for food co-ops in the United States. Randy believed deeply in the potential of NCG
to add value to every member co-op and his steadfast support made it possible for us to deliver on that potential. He is the quintessential optimist who tackles every challenge from a strategic viewpoint and stays focused on the long-term. Congratulations, Randy, on this remarkable achievement!

Co-op Heroes Sponsor

National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation

CFC proudly salutes Lori Capouch, Randy Lee, Tom Webb, and Estelle Witherspoon on their induction
into the Cooperative Hall of Fame. Created and owned by America’s electric cooperative network,
CFC, a nonprofit finance cooperative with approximately $35 billion in assets, provides capital and industry-leading financial products to serve the needs of our member-owners — America’s 900-plus
not-for-profit, consumer-controlled electric cooperatives.

CFC operates under the seven cooperative principles and our core values of Service, Integrity and
Excellence. By delivering unparalleled industry expertise, flexibility and responsiveness, we help our
members maintain a sophisticated system of generation, transmission and distribution resources that spans 75 percent of the United States. This infrastructure provides a safe, reliable and affordable flow of power to 42 million consumers each day and plays a critical role in boosting the nation’s economy
and rural quality of life.