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. Overseeing the expansion of fertilizer, seed, and livestock feed distribution, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment with the needs of regional producers. This leadership role involves managing complex relationships with the Board to maintain financial health and market relevance. By optimizing the delivery of animal health supplies and petroleum products, John Paserba directly impacts the operational success of the cooperative. The President & Chief Executive Officer maintains a focus on long-term growth, ensuring that the organization remains a cornerstone of the agricultural community. Through rigorous oversight of corporate initiatives, the President & Chief Executive Officer secures the competitive position of the cooperative within the broader retail hardware and agricultural markets, fostering innovation in service delivery and product quality across all regional operations.

Lucas Householder, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Southern States, manages the daily operational execution of the cooperative's extensive supply chain. Overseeing the procurement and distribution of fertilizer, seed, and livestock feed, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer ensures that all farm inputs reach customers with maximum efficiency. This leadership role involves coordinating logistics for petroleum products and animal health supplies across the regional network. By streamlining warehouse operations and retail distribution, Lucas Householder directly impacts the cooperative's ability to meet seasonal agricultural demands. The Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer collaborates with the leadership team to optimize supply chain costs and improve service delivery standards. Through rigorous oversight of operational workflows, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer drives the cooperative's commitment to reliability, ensuring that farmers receive the necessary resources to maintain high productivity levels throughout the growing season.

Patricia Hemingway, the Chief Information Officer at Southern States, architects the digital infrastructure supporting the cooperative's vast agricultural supply chain. Overseeing the integration of data systems for fertilizer, seed, and livestock feed inventory, the Chief Information Officer ensures seamless connectivity across all retail locations. This leadership role involves modernizing the technological framework to improve efficiency in pet food and animal health supply logistics. By implementing advanced analytics, Patricia Hemingway directly impacts the accuracy of demand forecasting and inventory management. The Chief Information Officer collaborates with other C-suite leaders to secure digital assets and enhance the customer experience through robust e-commerce platforms. Through the deployment of scalable software solutions, the Chief Information Officer drives operational agility, ensuring that the cooperative maintains a technological edge in the competitive agricultural retail landscape while supporting the diverse needs of farmers and pet owners.

Lonnie Meacham, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Southern States, directs the talent acquisition and organizational development strategies for the agricultural cooperative. Overseeing the workforce responsible for distributing fertilizer, seed, and petroleum products, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the company maintains a highly skilled team. This leadership role involves designing comprehensive training programs that align with the cooperative's mission of supporting regional agriculture. By fostering a culture of safety and professional growth, Lonnie Meacham directly impacts employee retention and operational productivity. The Chief Human Resources Officer works closely with the executive team to align human capital strategies with the broader business goals of the organization. Through the implementation of equitable compensation structures and performance management systems, the Chief Human Resources Officer secures the talent necessary to sustain the cooperative's market presence and commitment to providing essential animal health supplies and farm inputs.

Jonathan Arnett, the Presidentceo at Southern States, drives the strategic initiatives focused on market expansion and cooperative growth. Overseeing the development of new business lines within the pet food and animal health sectors, the Presidentceo ensures that the organization adapts to changing consumer preferences. This leadership role involves identifying emerging opportunities in the agricultural retail market to diversify the cooperative's revenue streams. By analyzing market trends and competitive dynamics, Jonathan Arnett directly impacts the long-term sustainability of the business model. The Presidentceo works in tandem with the Board to refine the cooperative's value proposition and strengthen relationships with regional stakeholders. Through the execution of targeted growth strategies, the Presidentceo secures the cooperative's reputation as a leader in farm inputs and pet care, ensuring that the organization remains responsive to the evolving needs of the agricultural community while maintaining a focus on operational excellence and financial performance.