Bill Cook is the Associate Commissioner for District 1 in Cass County (South Commissioner). He resides just outside Garden City in southern Cass County with his wife Emily.

Bill is a successful farmer and businessman as founder of NECO Seeds. He is currently the CEO of Missouri Food and Fiber and has been involved in the following business ventures: Grower IP Products for Pioneer Seed Company;  CDO of NeCo Seed Farms, Inc.; 1991 – 2001  C.E.O. of  W.S.D.A. -  a marketing company that brands corn & soybean;  1978 – 1981 Managed IB&E Distributors (Irrigation, Bin & Equipment); and many other business operations.

Accomplishments:

1968-1980 – Butler Manufacturing Agri Grain Bin Dealer

1974 Butler Manufacturing Company- School on Quality Grain Management 

1976 Farm Management Award presented by the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

1978 – 1981 Secretary of Missouri Corn Growers Association

1981 – 1982 NAMA Missouri/Kansas panel on How Agriculture Be Portrayed in the Media.

1983 State Achievement Award on Outstanding Farm Management

1984 – 1986 a member of the Golden Circle Club, Cargill Hybrids.

1984 Award for Supervision and Management Skills from the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

1990 University of Missouri Dean’s Club

1993 Honorary Member Missouri Ag Alumni Association

1996 – 1998 Missouri Department of Agriculture Task Force on rewriting  Missouri Seed Laws.

2000-2002 served on Organic Task Force

2000-2001 served on board to build New Generation Marketing Cooperative for State of Missouri

2002-2004 Advisory Board Organic Task Force

2002 Missouri  Farm Family

Clubs and Organizations:             

1997 Secretary of the Missouri Seedsmen’s Association

1998 Vice President of the Missouri Seedsmen’s Association

1999 President of the Missouri Seedsmen’s Association

Member of Missouri Soybean Association, Harrisonville Lyon’s Club, Harrisonville Chamber of Commerce, Kansas City Visitor’s Bureau, International Business Club, Garden City Community Betterment.

Board member, past and present:  Hope Haven Home for Battered Women,  Production Credit Association, Cass Medical Center Foundation Board, Harrisonville Christian School,  Garden City Bank Board, Midwest Family Farms, POCO (Producer Owned and Controlled Organization)