Pipestone Holdings has announced that Luke Minion will step down as CEO and chairman of Pipestone Holdings effective July 1.   

The leadership change comes with the creation of two company divisions — Pipestone Services and Pipestone Partnerships—to create unwavering focus on farmer needs. Hannah Walkes will serve as president of the Pipestone Services division and Sean Simpson will serve as president of the Pipestone Partnerships division. Barry Kerkaert will serve as chairman of the board for Pipestone Holdings. 

Walkes joined Pipestone in 2007 as a biosecurity coordinator where she implemented and audited biosecurity procedures at sow farms. Most recently Walkes served as the president of Pipestone Veterinary Services where she oversaw clinic operations, daily business functions and worked with their 150-person veterinary services team to provide solutions to independent family farms and swine clients across the Midwest.

Simpson has been with Pipestone since 2013, first as the general counsel for eight years, before transitioning into the role of strategy officer. Simpson also served on the board of directors for Pipestone Holdings, LLC.

Kerkaert began his career at Pipestone Veterinary Services after graduating from the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota in 1994. He previously held positions as vice president of Pipestone Holdings and president of Pipestone Management, leading the business development, production management and construction teams.