BLUE HAWK CEO Lance Rantala has been named the 2023 CEO Outstanding Communicator by the Cooperative Communicators Association (CCA). Rantala received the award at CCA's annual institute in Portland, Maine. The award recognizes the commitment of a cooperative CEO to open communications as an integral part of an effective management style.

Rantala, who has been CEO of BLUE HAWK since 2006, was nominated in recognition of his commitment to not just communications but also transparency and relationships with members, partners, and employees. In her nomination letter, vice president of marketing and communications Teri Ditsch said, "Lance believes consistent and quality communication is crucial to our cooperative's success."

Badger Metals Inc., CEO, and former BLUE HAWK board chairman, Joe Welch added, "The entire BLUE HAWK organization believes passionately in what we do and what we stand for. We strive to improve and succeed. We work hard and support our goals and objectives in a cooperative way. All of this is possible because Lance understands and supports the role that organizational communication plays in our overall success."

Accepting the award, Rantala shared, "Communication is the heart of any successful cooperative. As a member-owned purchasing cooperative, our team has to effectively communicate with our member-owners, board of directors, partners, and each other to keep our co-op running smoothly and continuing to accel. As an engineer by education, I recognize communications may not be my forte, but I've worked hard to become a better communicator throughout my career."

Since 1992, 28 chief executive officers from cooperatives across the country have been honored with the CCA's CEO Outstanding Communicator Award.