With 32 years of service to the GROWMARK System, Ann Hastings Kafer has announced her intent to retire Jan. 3.

Ann currently serves GROWMARK as executive vice president, human resources and corporate services. She has also held the positions of director of organizational change, director of human resources, compliance officer, director of corporate communication and marketing services, manager of training and development, corporate relations manager, and publications manager.

Ann's leadership was instrumental in the development of its GROW enterprise strategy and the focus on customer experience. She led the development of customer excellence standards in coaching employees to deliver customer service through The GROWMARK Way. Her legacy of strategic leadership will be felt and appreciated for years to come.

Ann and her husband Brad have two grown sons, Ben (and his wife Katie) of La Mesa, Calif., and Will of Bloomington. She intends to continue a life of service with commitments to furthering the impact of Midwest Food Bank, based in Bloomington, Ill., and Ax Church in LaSalle, Ill. In her free time, you will find Ann on a hiking trail.

Details concerning a reception will follow closer to the end of the year.