Carl Dickinson: A Legacy of Leadership, Grit and Growth

CVA CEO to retire August 31 after a career spent building cooperatives and people

After more than 15 years at the helm of Central Valley Ag (CVA) cooperative, Carl Dickinson will retire on August 31, 2025. Known for his intense focus, bold vision and belief in people, Dickinson has spent more than three decades shaping the cooperative landscape across the Midwest - most recently leading CVA through a period of extraordinary growth and transformation. 

"I've loved every minute of this work," Dickinson said. "It's been a blessing - a fairytale in many ways. I got to come back to the community I grew up in and build something that will outlast me." 

Dickinson's career began far from the boardroom. Raised on a hog farm near Marquette, Nebraska, he entered the workforce without a college degree but with an unshakable work ethic. "I didn't graduate from college, but I always believed in self-education and lifelong learning," he said. "If I wanted to achieve something, I had to work harder and learn faster." 

That mindset carried him from early roles in agriculture and the car business into the cooperative system. In 1993, Dickinson joined Battle Creek Farmers Cooperative as feed department manager, later becoming assistant general manager. His first CEO role came in 1999 at the newly formed Mid-Missouri Cooperative. He went on to lead co-ops in South Dakota and Missouri before being named CEO of United Farmers Cooperative (UFC) in 2009. 

When UFC merged with Central Valley Ag in 2014, Dickinson was tapped to lead the new organization. Under his leadership, CVA grew from $500 million in annual sales to more than $2 billion. But Dickinson said his proudest achievements weren't financial. 

"The thing I'm most proud of isn't the mergers or the growth - it's the people," he said. "There are four CEOs in the system today who came out of teams I've led. Watching people grow and rise is the greatest reward." 

Known for his direct approach and high standards, Dickinson built a culture rooted in accountability and trust. "I'm as far from a micromanager as you'll find," he said. "But I lead with expectations." 

Throughout his time at CVA, Dickinson often reminded his team that "CVA is a retailer that chooses to be a cooperative," reflecting his belief that strong business practices and cooperative values go hand in hand. 

His influence extended beyond CVA. Dickinson served multiple terms on the Land O'Lakes Board of Directors - one of the most prominent positions in the national cooperative system. He also held leaderships roles with the Co-op 401(K) Board, the Nebraska Cooperative Council Managers Association, numerous LLC and joint venture boards, and community organizations such as Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever. 

"Serving on boards helped me keep a higher view," Dickinson said. "It allowed me to learn from others, gain perspective, and bring new thinking back to the organization I was leading."

One area where he's still hoping for continued progress is farmer business development. "That's what kept me in the local co-op system," he said. "I really believed we could move the needle in helping producers run their operations more like businesses." 

Dickinson said he feels confident in the cooperative's future. With the recent announcement of Nic McCarthy as CVA's next president and CEO, he believes the organization is well positioned to move forward. 

"I've always said if the next CEO doesn't come from within, I've failed," he said. "With Nic's leadership and the team we've built, I know CVA is set up for continued success." 

Outside the office, Dickinson lives life with the same intensity he brought to the cooperative world. He enjoys hunting with his dogs on the Platte River, wakeboarding with his wife Dawn at their lake home, and spending time with family. Together, Carl and Dawn have raised two daughters - a central source of pride and joy throughout his career. 

Although he doesn't plan to fully retire, Dickinson is leaving the next chapter undefined - intentionally. 

"I've been praying for a few years that God would show me my next purpose," he said. "And I think the answer is: be done with this, and I'll show you what's next." 

As CVA prepares to turn the page, Dickinson leaves behind the legacy build on grit, growth and a genuine love for the people he served. 

"This work has never been a job to me," he said. "It's been a calling."