Communicating for America, a 501 (c)(5) organization, adheres to a simple, commonsense idea: rural people should enjoy all the benefits and representation that their urban counterparts do. That is why, year after year, our highest priorities are the issues facing our members and their families.
About Communicating for America
Our mission is to:
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Promote health, well-being and the advancement of all self-employed Americans and small business owners by utilizing our acquired experience in serving rural Americans
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Give members the right and opportunity to set policies and goals
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Deliver valued member benefits at the best price and of the highest quality
Our member adopted resolutions
For more than four decades, Communicating for America has fought for these resolutions. They are the pillars of what CA stands for, the issues around which CA members unite to create thunder and meaningful change.
Regardless of whether you are a producer, processor, wholesaler, retailer or most importantly, a consumer, your daily life is affected by American agriculture from the food you eat, to the clothes you wear, to the quality of life you live. CA will continue to promote an agriculture and consumer policy that encourages and promotes the well-being of family farmers, ranchers, small businesses and consumers in rural America.
CA will continue to work with all levels of government to provide incentinves and programs for beginning farmers, ranchers, small businesses in rural America and self-employed individuals.
CA seeks cooperation between private organizations and all levels of goverbnment to promote community development that will enhance family farms, ranches and small businesses across America. CA supports new uses or renewable resources to fuel economic development.
CA seeks health care and health insurance programs that are administered and maintained by the private sector with legislation enacted only to ensure that all Americans are guaranteed a minimum standard of health care and insurance at a reasonable cost, regardless of health or age.
CA will work to ensure that agricultural land will be owned and agri-business operated by family farmers and ranchers.
CA will work to strengthen services vital to family farms, ranches, small businesses and the self-employed.
CA will make every effort to preserve and improve our education system, which is a vital asset to our country. Distance learning, apprenticeship training, and similar programs will improve the lives of our youth.
Expanding international understanding through international exchange programs, including apprenticeship training, will improve the lives of our youth in America and the world.
Knowing young people represent the future of America, CA supports activities that broaden opportunities for youth in all communities.
CA supports and endorses programs that will provide benefits to improve the quality of life for senior citizens.
CA supports improved guest worker programs and seeks to provide pathways for legal immigration to enhance the US agricultural sector, rural business and the overall strength of the US economy. CA further promotes international travel as a further pathway to international understanding.
CA Board of Directors
Jeff Smedsrud
Smedsrud is chairman and chief executive officer of Communicating for America (CA) and its affiliates. He has held a variety of positions within CA since the early 1980s. Jeff is well known for his insurance and benefit expertise and has owned several companies that provide these services to the self-employed and small businesses. He has been president of a publicly traded financial services holding company.
Milt Smedsrud
Smedsrud is chairman emeritus and founder of CA. In 1972, Milt founded what was then known as the Creamery Association (CA) in Fergus Falls, Minn., to provide group purchasing power for farmers. The CA Scholarship and Education Foundation was established in 1981, followed by the CA Exchange Program (CAEP) in 1985. Today, CAEP is one of the largest training & internship exchange programs in the United States. He and his wife, Birgitta, also own and operate the Smedsrud family farm.
Stephen Rufer
Rufer is CA’s vice president and general counsel. Steve is a practicing attorney and lives with his wife, Sandy, in Fergus Falls, Minn. He is a certified civil trial specialist and is on the state Supreme Court roster of approved mediators and arbitrators. Steve’s hobbies include biking, water sports and flying — he is a licensed commercial pilot and flight instructor. He has three adult children, Emily, Sam and Tom. Steve is active in the community and is currently president of Lake Region Healthcare Corporation. He is also a past president of CA
Bob Rumpza
Bob is the president of Rumpza Consulting, founded in 2007. Bob’s communications experience includes market positioning, message platform creation, marketing communications and crisis communications. Bob has worked inside non-profit organizations, corporations and communications agencies. He formerly served as executive vice president of Weber Shandwick. He has two community service roles in directing AmeriCorps volunteerism in Minnesota. He is a member of the executive committee of the ServeMinnesota board of directors; and is board chair for ServeMinnesota Action Network. He is a University of Minnesota School of Journalism alumnus and is the winner of the coveted Silver Anvil of the Public Relations Society of America for his crisis communications work.
Patty Strickland
Strickland is president and chief operating officer of CA, and has been with the organization since 1981. Because she has worked in nearly every aspect of the organization, Patty has the knowledge and expertise to lead CA as it continues to grow while providing members with the benefits and service they have come to expect.
Mark Ritchie
Mark Ritchie served as Minnesota’s elected Secretary of State between 2007 and 2015, and now is the President and CEO of the Minnesota World’s Fair Bid Committee, leading the citizen’s effort to bring a world expo focused on health, medicine, and wellness to the Twin Cities in the summer of 2027.
David Ramey
Ramey is the owner, with his wife, Carla, and winemaker of Ramey Wine Cellars. Previously, David directed viticulture and winemaking for Rudd Estate and Dominus in the Napa Valley, and Chalk Hill and Matanzas Creek wineries in Sonoma County. David and Carla live with their children, Alan and Claire, in Glenn Ellen, Calif., in the heart of the Valley of the Moon.