Upstate Niagara Cooperative Executive and Leadership Team

Kevin Ellis, the Chief Executive Officer at Upstate Niagara Cooperative, directs the cooperative's overall strategic vision and operational execution. Ellis guides the organization's growth initiatives, ensuring alignment with the core mission of supporting dairy farmers and delivering high-quality products. This leadership role involves fostering strong relationships with member farms and overseeing market positioning for the Crave brand. Ellis drives the company's expansion efforts, focusing on enhancing operational efficiencies and exploring new market opportunities within the food manufacturing sector. The Chief Executive Officer's purview extends to financial health and long-term sustainability, ensuring the cooperative's continued success and farmer prosperity. By championing innovation and operational excellence, Kevin Ellis solidifies Upstate Niagara Cooperative's standing in the competitive dairy market.

Edward Luongo, the Chief Financial Officer at Upstate Niagara Cooperative, manages all fiscal operations and financial strategy. Luongo oversees budgeting, financial planning, and risk management, ensuring the cooperative's economic stability and profitability. This critical role involves analyzing financial data to inform strategic decision-making and capital allocation. The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for maintaining strong relationships with financial institutions and investors, securing the necessary resources for operational expansion and farmer support. Luongo drives financial performance by optimizing cost structures and identifying revenue enhancement opportunities within the food manufacturing industry. By ensuring robust financial controls and transparent reporting, Edward Luongo supports the cooperative's long-term viability and commitment to its member dairy farmers.

Kelly Wells, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Upstate Niagara Cooperative, leads all human capital management and organizational development initiatives. Wells designs and implements HR strategies that support the cooperative's mission, focusing on talent acquisition, employee engagement, and fostering a positive work environment. This leadership position involves overseeing compensation and benefits programs, ensuring compliance with labor laws, and driving initiatives that enhance employee well-being and productivity. The Chief Human Resources Officer plays a key part in shaping the company culture, aligning HR practices with the cooperative's values and operational goals. Kelly Wells champions programs that develop employee skills and career paths, contributing to the retention of a skilled workforce essential for dairy manufacturing. By prioritizing people, Wells ensures the cooperative has the talent necessary to achieve its strategic objectives.

Louis Santarelli, the Chief Human Resource Officer at Upstate Niagara Cooperative, directs comprehensive human resources functions and strategic workforce planning. Santarelli oversees the development and execution of policies related to employee relations, talent management, and organizational effectiveness across the cooperative. This executive position involves ensuring a cohesive and productive workforce, vital for the manufacturing operations and farmer support services. The Chief Human Resource Officer is instrumental in cultivating a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, aligning HR strategies with the cooperative's business objectives. Louis Santarelli focuses on optimizing HR processes to enhance operational efficiency and employee satisfaction, contributing directly to the cooperative's overall success. By managing the human capital landscape, Santarelli supports the cooperative's commitment to its member farmers and the quality of its dairy products.