brandon plaschka

Wasola

Brief Bio

Brandon is an agricultural professional and rancher who owns and operates Seven Cedars Ranch, a registered Black Angus cattle operation in the Brixey/Rockbridge area of Ozark County, Missouri. The ranch specializes in producing high-quality bulls and heifers. A native of eastern Kansas, Brandon was raised on a diversified farming operation, where he developed a strong foundation in agriculture and livestock production.

He earned Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Science Degrees in Ranch Management from Allen Community College before completing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Education at Kansas State University.

Following a successful career in retail business ownership, Brandon relocated to southern Missouri three years ago to focus full-time on ranching. Prior to retirement, he owned and operated a gas and convenience store business in Princeton, Kansas, which he purchased independently in 2006. Through strategic planning and operational improvements, he doubled daily customer traffic and increased sales by more than 300 percent during his 12 years of ownership while maintaining the same staffing levels.

Brandon also served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Kansas Association of Beverage Retailers, where he testified before Kansas House and Senate committees on industry issues. During his tenure, he received both the Retailer of the Year and Honor Retailer of the Year awards multiple times.
He has remained active in agricultural leadership and community service, serving on the Franklin County Fair Board and the county committee of the Kansas Livestock Association. Earlier in his career, he also served as Feed Department Manager for Ottawa Coop before operating his own feed dealership business.

Experience and Education

• High School Diploma from Williamsburg High School
• Associate of Arts and Applied Science Degree in Ranch Management from Allen County Community College
• Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education from Kansas State University
• Awards & Honors:
  • 2 time Kansas Association of Beverage Retailers – Retailer of the Year
  • 3 time Kansas Association of Beverage Retailers – Honor Retailer of the Year
• Community & Board Experience:
  • Franklin County Fairboard 1996 – 2017
  • Kansas Livestock Association County Committee 1997-2023
  • Kansas Association of Beverage Retailers Board 2006-2018
  • Franklin County Economic Development Committee 2000-2004
  • Franklin County Crimestoppers Board 2007-2015

qualifications

Brandon has been a member of the Cooperative for 1 year, is not employed by any enterprise that competes with WRVEC, and is not related to anyone employed at the Cooperative. He owns his own successful retail business (creating budgets, financials, payroll, taxes overall business management); served on several boards and committees in various officer roles; has been involved with both electric cooperatives and investor owned utilities; and as a former county extension agent he has lots of experience writing and public speaking. Brandon has not received any campaign contributions.

QUESTIONS & Answers

Explain the Cooperative Difference

Governance 1 member 1 vote. As a customer I am a member/owner.

What are three critical issues you believe the Cooperative should focus on in the next few years?

Continued quality employee attraction and retention.
Employee safety. Ongoing safety measure implementation and training. Ensuring employees understand the reason. We care, we want to see you tomorrow.
Providing the best service and quality at the best price, while maintaining satisfied member/owners and employees.

Please share how often you have attended the Cooperative’s Annual Meeting, district membership appreciation days, and other Cooperative sponsored events and what you found most impactful about those experiences:

Unfortunately, I haven’t had the opportunity to attend yet.
However, I do read about these events through the Rural Missouri publication. I appreciate the transparency and humility of the White River Valley Cooperative management and employee team.

What interests you most about serving on the board of directors?

The opportunity to learn new things and work with others, while using my knowledge and skills to help guide the White River Valley Cooperative that I am a customer/owner of.

Are you familiar with the elements of the cooperative business model? Please share what you know about the model at this time:

Simply stated the cooperative model guarantees each customer to be a member/owner with one vote to help shape their cooperative. Profits are also distributed back to the member/owner.

What knowledge and expertise would you bring to White River’s Board and the members?

With over 50 years and counting of direct involvement with cooperatives of all sizes, my understanding of the system would help me to educate others. After owning and operating my own retail businesses, my knowledge of business operation and understanding would lend to helping in board decisions.

What is most important to the members of your district?

Reliable energy and internet at an affordable price, provided by quality employees in a timely manner.

As a director, how would you promote the co-op in your community and district?

First by listening. Learning what others are saying about the co-op. Good or bad both need communicated. Helping them to understand the co-op model and opportunities it provides. These things can only be accomplished by being accessible. Attending events and responding quickly to calls or messages.

What makes you the ideal candidate?

My vast experience as a customer, employee and liaison of the cooperative system from small to large and from feed, animal health, food production, fuel and lubricants to electricity, I am a firm believer and follower of the system. This and my desire to learn, and help others be successful.