CDS

Cooperative Development Services

Wrapping up Co-op Month and our 40th

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As we wrap up the International Year of the Cooperative and continue to mark an incredible milestone—our organization’s 40th anniversary—I’m filled with gratitude for the community that makes our work possible. Three Regional Celebrations Bring Our Community Together A Twin…

Filed Under: News

Leslie Watson

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Leslie Watson joined CDS as its Executive Director in November 2024.   Cooperation has been the foundation of Leslie’s civic participation in her own neighborhood as well as her professional career for many years. Her belief in the power of cooperation…

Filed Under: Staff

Char Vrieze

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Cooperative Development Specialist Char Vrieze joined CDS as a Cooperative Development Specialist in April 2022. Char’s background growing up on a farm picking pickles, eggs, potatoes, and helping her family clean apartments lends itself well to the main focus of…

Filed Under: Staff

Cory Neeley

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Ag & Energy Program Specialist Cory’s background in utilities, entrepreneurship and cooperative management brought him to CDS as the new Ag and Energy Specialist.  Growing up in rural Southwestern Wisconsin (Prairie du Chien), he left to attend UW-Madison, majoring in Human/Environment…

Filed Under: Staff

Kevin Edberg

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After 24 years as CDS’s executive director, Kevin Edberg retired in October 2024, but is still working with us as our cooperative development specialist. Kevin has a long background in agriculture, economics, and marketing. He holds bachelor’s degrees in horticulture, agricultural economics,…

Filed Under: Staff

Andrea Collins

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Finance & Donor Program Specialist Andrea joined CDS in June 2025 as our Finance and Donor Program Specialist. She has over 30 years of experience in small nonprofit administration, finance and governance. Most recently she was Business Manager and Conference…

Filed Under: Staff