On Oct. 3, the Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) inducted Tony Bedard, CEO of Frontier Co-op, into the Cooperative Hall of Fame, placing him among five leaders honored this year for their impact on the cooperative movement.
Mr. Bedard’s induction ceremony was held at Washington, D.C.’s Hamilton Hotel, where he was recognized for championing the idea that “doing good in the world and growing a financially successful business is not mutually exclusive,” according to a release.
During Mr. Bedard’s tenure, Frontier Co-op grew its net sales from $36.5 million in 1991 to $235.9 million in 2023. Under his leadership, the Iowa-based cooperative has invested heavily in philanthropy, contributing over $10 million to various causes worldwide. His model has distributed $53.3 million in patronage among Frontier’s 50,000-plus member-owners.
Born in Waterloo, Iowa, Mr. Bedard was one of 16 children in a family where “hard work was expected of all of the Bedard kids,” according to Frontier’s website.
From a young age, he took on a range of jobs – mowing lawns, farm work, construction – which later shaped his philosophy at Frontier, where he emphasizes that “every job is important and every worker is a professional.”
In a significant shift aimed at addressing Iowa’s workforce shortages, Mr. Bedard launched an initiative in 2017 to hire formerly incarcerated individuals. The program, Breaking Down Barriers to Employment, was inspired by a visit to a prison business class. Former inmates now comprise 20% of Frontier’s production staff, expanding the co-op’s mission of inclusive hiring and second chances.
Two years ago, the program was awarded the Silver Halo Award in the Social Service Initiative category by Engage for Good!
“At Frontier Co-op, our foundational belief is that doing good, works,” said Mr. Bedard, of the program’s award in 2022. “As a 40,000-member owned cooperative, we are committed to our values and a business for good approach to everything we do – from building relationships with our growers, to working with local organizations supporting our community.”
