Aldrich C. Bloomquist

Al Bloomquist is often referred to as "the father of the Red River Valley's farmer-owned cooperative sugar industry" and "the man who started it all." He has helped guide American Crystal Sugar from a company and industry in decline to the largest sugarbeet processor in the United States with sales exceeding $500 million each year. It is estimated that the sugar industry is responsible for over 30,000 jobs and has an economic impact of $1.8 billion for the region.

Born in Willmar, Minnesota, Bloomquist received his bachelor's degree from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1943.

Bloomquist began his career in the newspaper business, but left it for the sugarbeet industry in 1955 when he became regional manager for Western Beet Sugar Producers, the public relations arm of the beet sugar industry. He became executive secretary of the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association in 1961 when the sugar industry was thriving and growing in the Valley.

By the late 1960's the sugar industry was in decline. In the early 1970's it was apparent American Crystal Sugar, then headquartered in Denver, was no longer interested in expanding in the Red River Valley. In 1972, Bloomquist, representing area growers, wrote to the president of American Crystal offering to purchase the company. American Crystal agreed and in 1973, America's first beet sugar grower-owned cooperative was formed.

Bloomquist has directed the company's local, regional and national public affairs from the very beginning and was given the title Vice President of Public Affairs. He acted as the primary spokesperson for the interest of American Crystal and is considered nationally as one of the experts on the needs and goals of the U.S. sugar industry. Because of his reputation for integrity and being one of the most knowledgeable people in the country about the sugar industry, Bloomquist's counsel is often sought by congressmen, bureaucrats and presidents. Bloomquist was also the original publisher of "Sugarbeet Grower" magazine, a nationally recognized industry publication.

In 1977, he received the highest honor of the sugar industry, The Dyer Memorial Award as "Sugar Man of the Year"--at 56 the youngest person ever to receive the award.