- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Renville Today
By the People, for the People
Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative Elects New CEO
Lukas 'Luke' Rust to succeed Paul Fry as president and chief executive officer.
Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:52pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The changing of the guard at a leading Midwest sugar cooperative signals potential shifts in strategy and operations.Renville TodayThe board of directors for the Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative has elected the company's chief operating officer, Lukas 'Luke' Rust, as its next president and chief executive officer. Rust will succeed Paul Fry in the top leadership role at the shareholder-owned producer of refined and sugar.
Why it matters
The Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative is a major agricultural cooperative in the region, playing a significant role in the local economy. The transition to new leadership is an important event that could signal potential changes in the cooperative's strategic direction and operations.
The details
Lukas 'Luke' Rust, the cooperative's current chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO, succeeding Paul Fry who is stepping down from the role. Rust has been with the cooperative for several years, working his way up to the COO position before being elevated to the top job.
- Lukas Rust will assume the role of president and CEO on April 1, 2026.
The players
Lukas 'Luke' Rust
The incoming president and chief executive officer of the Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative, having previously served as the cooperative's chief operating officer.
Paul Fry
The outgoing president and chief executive officer of the Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative.
Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative
A shareholder-owned producer of refined and sugar located in Renville, Minnesota.
What’s next
The cooperative's board of directors will work closely with Lukas Rust to ensure a smooth transition of leadership in the coming weeks.
The takeaway
The election of Lukas Rust as the new president and CEO of the Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative represents a changing of the guard at a major agricultural cooperative in the region. Rust's promotion from within the organization suggests continuity, but his leadership could also bring new strategic direction for the cooperative.