Leadership

The Five Rivers Way…

“We have a vastly talented team…we are more than eleven feedyards…we are more than a bunch of cattle feeders…we are a highly functioning team that strives to do better every day.” Mike Thoren

Within the cattle feeding industry, we are a leader. We take our leadership role very seriously and are dedicated to the future of the industry.

We are proud to lead “The Five Rivers Way” – living our core competencies in everything we do – day in, day out.

Integrity, Teamwork and Collaboration, Driving for Results, Decisive Judgement, Continuous Improvement, Cattle, Customer and Business focused.

Proudly centered around Coaching and Developing our Five Rivers team.

Executive Management

Mike Thoren has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Five Rivers since the Company’s inception.  From 2003 until 2005, Mike was the President and CEO of ContiBeef LLC, a former wholly owned subsidiary of Continental Grain Company.  Mike began his career with the Cattle Feeding Division of Continental Grain Company in 1991 and worked his way up through the Company as feedyard General Manager, Director of Feedlot Operations, Vice President of Operations, and CEO.  Mike received his Master of Science in Agricultural Economics and Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness from Washington State University.  Mike is active in a number of local and national industry groups.

Mike Thoren

President & Chief Executive Officer

Luke Lind has served as SVP & Chief Risk Officer since October 2008. At the inception of Five Rivers in 2005, Luke served as Vice President of Marketing. From 1993 until 2005, Luke was the Manager of Business Development, Director of Marketing and then Vice President of Marketing for ContiBeef LLC, a former wholly owned subsidiary of Continental Grain Company. Luke worked as a Market Analyst for Cattle Fax from 1985 to 1993. Luke received his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from Colorado State University. Luke studied Finance at the University of Denver, and has completed several Executive Leadership Courses with the Darden and Stanford Business schools. Luke is active in a number of local and national industry groups.

Luke Lind

SVP & Chief Risk Officer

Jerri Lynn has served as the Senior Financial Officer for the Company since August 2009.  Jerri Lynn began her career as the Accounting Manager at Colorado Beef in June 2005 and has served as Manager of Finance and Corporate Controller.  In 2005, Jerri Lynn became a Certified Public Accountant.  Jerri Lynn received her Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Colorado State University.

Jerri Lynn Magana

Chief Financial Officer

John Foley has served as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) since October 2013.  John’s entire career has been with the cattle feeding industry, starting out with Continental Grain in 1996.  Here he served in various roles starting as a Management Trainee and the most recent past nine years as General Manager of two of the companies southern feedlots.  John received a Master of Business Administration from Purdue University and a Bachelor of Science in Range Management from Texas Tech University.

John Foley

Vice President,
Operations & Chief Operating Officer

Tom McDonald has been Vice President – Environmental Affairs of Five Rivers since October 2006.  Tom began his career with the Cattle Feeding Division of Continental Grain Company in 1995 as the Manager of Human Resources (Dalhart, Texas), and later that year, added environmental affairs to his responsibilities.  He has held positions as Manager – Environmental Affairs, Senior Manager – Environmental Affairs, and Director – Environmental Affairs (through the Company’s inception in May 2005 and until October 2006).  Tom received a Master of Science in Beef Cattle Production and Management from University of Tennessee and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from West Texas State University.

Tom McDonald

SVP, Environmental & Sustainability

Vickie Pacella joined Five Rivers in January 2024 as Vice President of Human Resources. Vickie’s progressive HR leadership career spans more than 20 years working in a variety of industries, including multi-state and global operations. Prior to joining Five Rivers, Vickie successfully operated her own HR consulting company. Currently pursuing an MBA, she holds a BS in Human Resources Management from Regis University and an AAS in Accounting from Front Range Community College.

Vickie Pacella

Vice President, Human Resources

Ron Cook has been part of the Five Rivers family since 2005 having started as a consultant in software architecture and development management. Originally from Chicago, Ron holds a BS in Physics from the University of Georgia and an MBA in Computer Information Systems from Georgia State University. Before joining Five Rivers, Ron had previously led IT functions with several companies including Accenture, Georgia-Pacific, and Southern Company primarily in Atlanta, New York, and Washington DC.

Ron Cook

Vice President, Information Technology

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