Farmers' Rice Cooperative (FRC) has announced the Jan. 1 appointment of Frank G. Bragg, III as president and CEO. Bragg succeeds Mike Sandrock, who served as president and CEO from 1998 until his retirement on Dec. 31.

Bragg has many years of senior management experience with agricultural organizations, including as president and CEO of MGB Marketing, a North American-based grower owned blueberry marketing cooperative, and in executive positions in business development and operations for Blue Diamond Growers.  He has also served as VP of citrus juice and oil for Sunkist and as president and CEO of Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Holdings, Inc.

"Frank Bragg is an industry leader with outstanding success creating significant increases in shareholder value," FRC Chairman Herb Holzapfel said.  "His experience in strategic planning, developing strategic alliances, adoption of new product launches, and brand development will be vitally important as our cooperative moves forward striving to increase the value of our rice products, which will eventually add value to each and every member of the cooperative."