Steven Krikava, the son of Alton and Marie Krikava of rural Glenville, was one of three people who received the highest statewide honor for cooperative leaders during the Cooperative’s Network’s annual meeting in Rochester on Nov. 19.

Krikava is a retired director of government relations for Land O’Lakes.

The honor is given to individuals who demonstrate the utmost loyalty and service to the cooperative movement at the local, state, regional or national level.

Krikava recently retired from the position after 39 years. He is a University of Minnesota alumnus who began his career as a production editor with Midland Cooperative. He is a 1970 graduate of Albert Lea High School.

The other honorees were Kenneth Machtan, board president of Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin, and Larry Swalheim, retired CEO of Landmark Services Cooperative.