Interview with Jack Gherty, President & CEO*

View Video of the Entire Interview (43.54 minutes)
View Transcription of the Entire Interview

I. Introduction    (Video - 0.52 min)  (Transcription)

II. Core Competencies  (Video - 2.56 min)  (Transcription)
      - Retracing roots of the organization
      - Culture / Managing people
      - Coupling growth with performance
      - Adapting to environmental change

III. Unique Features of the Organization  (Video - 1.20 min)  (Transcription)
      - Brand identity/Association
      - Power of the culture

IV. Forecasting and Preparing for the Future  (Video - 3.03 min)  (Transcription)
      - Leveraging strengths within each business unit
      - Importance of innovation

V. Joint Ventures and Opportunities  (Video - 5.17 min)  (Transcription)
      - Analyzing the competitive environment
      - Adding value for owners
      - Keeping goals of the organization in mind
      - Availability of alternatives
      - The involvement of the board of directors

VI. Reasons for Moving Nationally  (Video - 2.07 min)  (Transcription)
      - Keeping long-term goals in mind
      - Adding value for customers

VII. Challenges Faced in Executing Strategy  (Video - 2.26 min)  (Transcription)
      - Customers are demanding greater value from suppliers
      - Competitors
      - Changing environment

VIII. Differences in Managing a Cooperative  (Video - 3.23 min)  (Transcription)
      - The visibility and values of ownership
      - Attraction of talented employees
      - Challenges in raising capital
      - Governance issues
      - More difficult to change business direction

IX. Conveying the Core Values to Employees  (Video - 1.04 min)  (Transcription)
      - Separate day-to-day operations and how earnings are distributed

X. Desired Brand Associations  (Video - 1.48 min)  (Transcription)
      - Recognizing the other business units
      - Potential employee associations with the brand

XI. Influential Experiences  (Video - 2.43 min)  (Transcription)
      - Farm background
          - Work ethic
          - Family life
          - Balancing work and family
      - Team experiences

XII. Greatest Challenges for the Land O’ Lakes CEO  (Video - 0.55 min)  (Transcription)
      - Be flexible
      - Deliver earnings

XIII. Vision for the Company for the Next 5-10 Years  (Video - 0.26 min)  (Transcription)
      - Staying in current business units
      - Growing internally and externally as a branded dairy-based food company

XIV. Building Brand Awareness with Consumers  (Video - 1.57 min)  (Transcription)
      - Changes made over time
      - The importance of consistency and innovation

XV. External Publications  (Video - 2.00 min)  (Transcription)
      - Leadership materials

XVI. The Legacy  (Video - 1.11 min)  (Transcription)
      - Created the right culture and the right team

XVII. Personal Management Philosophy  (Video - 1.55 min)  (Transcription)
      - Situational leadership
          - Versatility in using different management styles
          - Advantages / Disadvantages

XVIII. The Value in a Mission/Vision for the Organization  (Video - 8.32 min)  (Transcription)
      - The importance of living the values
      - Articulating the values to employees
          - Consistency of the message


* Interview conducted by Dr. Michael Boland, Kansas State University.