Who are you?
My name is Dori Lichty. I live in Beaver Dam, Wis., and work as the Communication Specialist for CentralStar Cooperative. We are a member of the Select Sires Federation, the largest A.I. and genetics cooperative in the world. We’re also the fastest-growing affiliated partner of the National Dairy Herd Information Association. In a nut shell, we sell semen, artificial insemination, consulting, DHI milk testing, and diagnostic testing to dairy and beef producers in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana – with additional DHI territory in surrounding states. On the home front, I’m married and have two children; together, we own and operate a small hobby-sized dairy farm.
How long have you worked with cooperatives?
If CCA members log in to our website and update their profile, one of the options is choosing how much cooperative experience one has. I hit the 16-year mark this year. It was sobering to jump up to the next level – ha ha ha … .
Describe your role.
I create, edit, and produce in-house video; manage CentralStar’s internal communication, including our team-member newsletter; and plan and initiate our presence on social media. I’m also very involved with our recruiting team.
What do you enjoy about working with cooperatives?
One of my favorite features about cooperatives is watching our customers take ownership in our business efforts. At CentralStar, the major way stockowner customers can do this is by sitting on our Board of Directors. We also have advisory committees for our various business units; we invite customers to participate and provide input on current operations and ideas for the future.
When did you join CCA? Why?
I joined CCA in 2008. The marketing and communication team at then CHS/Land O’Lakes encouraged me to get involved, because they felt I would benefit from the experience and education the organization provides. They were right.
Did anything surprise you about CCA upon joining?
I have a very outgoing and expressive personality. I walked into my first CCA event to a room of people who were just like me. It shocked the heck out of me, and I’ve been in love with the organization ever since.
What are your hobbies and interests?
In my free time, I enjoy opportunities for professional development; reading low-stress, happy-ending stories; second-hand-store shopping; making crafts; and showing Holstein and Jersey dairy cattle with my family. I’m also a 4-H leader and active member of the Dodge County Dairy Youth Advisory Committee. My kids and I are big Harry Potter and Marvel Entertainment-superhero fans.
Do you have a “bucket list”? What are some of the things on that list?
I don’t really have a bucket list, but I would like to do some international travel. At this point in my life, I’ve only ever been to Canada.
Give us something about yourself that is surprising or that most people don’t know.
I’ve started writing an outline for a book, but raising children has slowed that process down. I hope to resurrect the project after the kids have grown.
Email: My e-mail address is dori.lichty@mycentralstar.com. I’m always willing to visit with fellow CCA members about communication efforts.
