MOUNT ANGEL, OREGON – Wilco, a dynamic and farmer-owned cooperative, has placed Cheryl Collins as their new VP of HR. Managing Partner, Ayla Maloney and Recruiting Director, Carrie Longmire led and placed the crucial search.
“Working with John Bowersox at Wilco has been an honor. John’s vision for the future of Wilco is clear, and Cheryl Collins fits beautifully into that vision. With her significant strengths in HR optimization and executive operations experience, Cheryl is uniquely positioned to drive business scaling and transformation. We are confident that their partnership will lead to incredible success and reach.” shared Ayla Maloney, Managing Partner at TCG.
As the Vice President of Human Resources, Cheryl will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of a company deeply rooted in community values and innovation. As a key member of the Executive Leadership team, she will be the driving force behind all aspects of Human Resources including talent acquisition and retention, fostering a vibrant company culture, and ensuring effective communication across the organization as the company doubles in size. Cheryl’s strategic and hands-on leadership position offers the opportunity to influence and implement HR policies that align with Wilco’s vision, ensuring compliance and promoting a positive work environment. She will lead and inspire a dedicated team, oversee critical HR functions, and contribute to the growth and success of the company.
“I’m excited to embark on this new journey as Vice President of HR for Wilco. I am grateful for the opportunity and look forward to leading our team towards innovative solutions and growth. The Christopher Group was supportive and thoughtful with their guidance, I can’t thank them enough!” shared Cheryl Collins.
Cheryl Collins brings over 15 years of experience in building and transforming organizational cultures through strategic leadership. Her career spans roles such as CEO, COO, Chief People Officer, and VP of Organizational Development at organizations like Bob’s Red Mill, Ninkasi Brewing Company, Oregon Community Credit Union, and Teach For America. Cheryl has consistently driven initiatives in continuous improvement, leadership development, safety, and culture transformation, aligning people strategies with business goals to foster environments where employees and organizations thrive. Most recently, as VP of People at Bob’s Red Mill, she led efforts in talent and change management, organizational development, and employee engagement. Cheryl’s passion for empowering teams and her expertise in servant leadership and strategic HR planning position her to make a significant impact at Wilco.
About Wilco
Wilco, a dynamic and farmer-owned cooperative with roots dating back to the 1930s, has grown from its humble beginnings in Oregon’s Willamette Valley to become a powerhouse in the agricultural industry. Officially formed in 1967, Wilco has evolved into three thriving business units: the Valley Agronomics Joint Venture serving farmers across multiple states, a robust Energy division providing bulk propane and fuels, and a rapidly expanding Retail Farm Store division with locations across Oregon, Washington, and California. At the heart of Wilco is a deep commitment to strengthening agriculture and rural lifestyles, driven by the core values of Integrity, Respect, Excellence, Accountability, Community, and Teamwork. Wilco’s vision is bold: to be a world-class company, respected for our satisfied members, engaged employees, and strong community connections. To join Wilco is to join a passionate team of 1,200 employees are leading the charge in shaping the future of agriculture and rural living!
About The Christopher Group
Through its award-winning, customized HR solutions, The Christopher Group (TCG) delivers critical human capital solutions in the area of executive HR search, interim HR leaders, fractional CHROs, and HR advisory and consulting. Since 1998, TCG has served clients across all industries, locations, company sizes, and verticals. Staffed by former HR professionals and highly trained search practitioners who have sat in the job, TCG has been named one of the Fastest-Growing, Best Non-Profit, Diversity, Private Equity, and Top 50 Executive Recruiting Firms by Hunt Scanlon as well as Forbes’ 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022 list of America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms.