Wayne Holt of Athens was recently honored at the Alabama Distinguished Cooperator Awards program, sponsored by the Alabama Council of Cooperatives.

The program is designed to recognize those individuals who have made “outstanding contributions to agriculture, cooperatives and other related areas,” according to a press release. This award is presented at the organization’s annual meeting held during the organization’s annual couple’s conference in July.

Holt recently retired from Alabama Famers Cooperative after 44 years of service. After holding several titles, Holt ultimately served as chief information officer. His responsibilities included providing AFC employees the computer hardware, software and support they need to accomplish their work.

Under Holt’s supervision, AFC employees built most of the PCs used in offices and retail stores, and most of the software was developed in-house as well. Holt was also responsible for managing corporate telecommunications. Because of his expertise, Holt was selected as Telecommunications Manager of the Year by the Alabama Telecommunications Management Association in 1998.

Holt was honorably discharged from U. S. Coast Guard Reserves in June 1972. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Athens State University and has attended numerous management, professional development and technical classes and seminars.

“Holt has been an outstanding leader in the growth of Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiaries, joint ventures as well as its Member Cooperatives and their farmer owners,” the release said. “His exceptional judgment, wealth of experience and ability to apply these with common sense, have nurtured AFC and led it forward in its never-ceasing goal of service to its member farmers.”

Holt and his wife Shirley have been married 48 years and have two children and four grandchildren. He is active at Eastside Church of Christ.