Five Questions with Joey Massey
December 15, 2019
Written By Adam Buckallew
With four new faces on the MFA Oil Board of Directors since this time last year, what opportunities do you see as we enter 2019?
The recent election results from our annual delegate meeting have introduced several new people to the board who bring their own perspectives and fresh ideas. The new board members will play a vital role in helping us ensure we are modernizing our cooperative to meet the needs of the next generation of farmers and ranchers.
You were recently elected to serve as the vice-chairman of the board. How are you approaching your new role?
I’ve always wanted to be involved in guiding the company and making sure we keep it on the right track. As the vice-chairman, I will offer Marion (Kertz), our new chairman, my complete support and help in any way I can. We are fortunate to have had many great leaders on our board throughout the years, and I will work hard to continue that tradition.
MFA Oil has implemented a number of improvements to its business practices to provide better service to members and customers in the past year. How have these changes been received in your district?
Everything that I have heard so far has been very positive. I think people appreciate our willingness to improve and our commitment to upgrading our business practices. I should mention that we haven’t had any delegate meetings since the weather has turned cold. The feedback we hear in the spring and summer will probably give us a better idea of how we are truly doing, but for now, I’m encouraged by the progress that has been made.
What do you view as the most important issue facing MFA Oil?
As a farmer-owned cooperative, we need to remain mindful of the wants and needs of our member-owners and customers. Providing excellent products and service is a core principle of our company and that will never change. Last year, we ran into some problems, and our employees have worked hard to rectify those issues. As we continue to grow and improve as a company, maintaining outstanding customer service will remain a primary focus.
What do you view as the most critical issues MFA Oil members are facing?
Profitability among the agricultural community remains a big challenge. Commodity prices remain low and, on top of that, there’s so much uncertainty we are facing right now with the trade wars and government shutdown. The current environment is forcing many of us to make changes to our farms and ranches. While there is a lot of gloom and doom at the moment, I think we will be ok in the end. These types of boom-bust cycles are unfortunately common in agriculture, and we’ve been in similar situations in the past. We will adapt and adjust, and the farm families of the United States will come together and get through this.