The American Crystal Sugar Company board of directors has elected Tom Astrup to be company president, effective immediately.
Since January of 2014, Astrup has held the position of vice president – operations at American Crystal. In the years prior to that, he was vice president of agriculture and vice president of administration as well. Since 2007, Astrup has also served as chief operating officer of Sidney Sugars, Incorporated. Sidney Sugars is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Crystal, which operates a sugarbeet processing factory in Sidney, Mont.
After working in public accounting, Astrup joined the company in 1994. He currently serves on the board of directors of ProGold, LLC and also as a trustee of the United States Beet Sugar Association. He serves on the board of directors of The Chamber of Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo and recently was named to the board of The Greater North Dakota Chamber.
Astrup, 47, received a degree in accounting from the University of North Dakota in 1991. He and his wife Stephanie have three children, and reside in Fargo.
“Tom Astrup has served American Crystal for 22 years in a variety of roles. In each of his jobs, he has shown that he understands what is required to help our cooperative maintain its leadership position within the United States sugar industry.” Crystal Board Chair Robert Green said. “The board is confident that Tom will continue to keep our Company growing and prospering in his new position.”
David Berg, who has served as American Crystal’s president and CEO since 2007, has announced his intention to retire on August 31 of this year. Berg will retain the title of CEO until his retirement. Upon Berg’s retirement date, Astrup will also assume the position of CEO.
Astrup said he is honored to be given the responsibility to lead American Crystal. “This company has more than 125 years of success and progress behind it, and also more than 40 years as a grower-owned cooperative,” he said. “During the time that I have worked here, it has been a pleasure to be part of a relationship between both employees and grower-owners who want to continue our successful traditions.”
Source: www.crookstontimes.com