Southern States Executive and Leadership Team

John Paserba, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Southern States, directs the overarching strategic vision for the agricultural cooperative. Paserba manages the alignment of fertilizer, seed, and livestock feed distribution networks to ensure maximum value for cooperative members. By overseeing high-level financial performance and market expansion, the President & Chief Executive Officer maintains the competitive standing of the organization within the retail hardware and agricultural sectors. John Paserba coordinates with the Board to implement long-term growth initiatives that stabilize supply chains across the United States. This leadership role involves constant evaluation of market trends to optimize the delivery of animal health supplies and petroleum products. Through rigorous oversight of corporate governance, the President & Chief Executive Officer secures the future of the cooperative while fostering sustainable relationships with regional producers and stakeholders throughout the entire operational footprint.

Lucas Householder, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Southern States, executes the daily operational logistics for the agricultural cooperative. Householder manages the complex supply chain for fertilizer, seed, and livestock feed, ensuring timely delivery to retail outlets and farm operations. By overseeing the efficiency of petroleum product distribution and animal health supply logistics, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer maintains high service levels across the entire regional network. Lucas Householder coordinates with department heads to streamline warehouse operations and inventory management processes. This leadership role involves optimizing the physical footprint of the cooperative to better serve the needs of producers in various geographic markets. Through the rigorous application of operational best practices, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer drives cost reductions and enhances the overall reliability of the supply chain, directly supporting the growth and sustainability of the cooperative's business model.

Patricia Hemingway, the Chief Information Officer at Southern States, architects the digital infrastructure supporting the cooperative's vast agricultural supply chain. Hemingway manages the integration of data systems that track inventory levels for fertilizer, seed, and livestock feed across all retail locations. By driving the modernization of enterprise resource planning tools, the Chief Information Officer ensures seamless communication between regional distribution centers and corporate headquarters. Patricia Hemingway oversees cybersecurity protocols to protect sensitive member data and operational intelligence. This leadership role involves deploying advanced analytics to forecast demand for pet food and animal health supplies, thereby increasing inventory efficiency. Through the implementation of scalable cloud solutions, the Chief Information Officer supports the digital transformation of the cooperative, enabling real-time decision-making capabilities that enhance the overall service delivery to farmers and pet owners throughout the expansive market reach.

Lonnie Meacham, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Southern States, directs the talent acquisition and organizational development strategies for the cooperative. Meacham manages the workforce planning required to support the distribution of fertilizer, seed, and petroleum products across diverse regional operations. By fostering a culture of safety and professional excellence, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that all staff members remain aligned with the core mission of supporting agricultural productivity. Lonnie Meacham oversees the implementation of comprehensive training programs that equip employees with the technical knowledge necessary to assist customers with livestock feed and animal health supplies. This leadership role involves managing labor relations and compensation structures to attract top talent within the retail hardware industry. Through the strategic management of human capital, the Chief Human Resources Officer drives organizational efficiency and maintains the high service standards expected by cooperative members throughout the United States.