Blount County Farmers Co-op outside salesman Mel Wade echoed Myres’ sentiments. “Eric’s ability to handle pressure that comes from many aspects of being a manager, is in my opinion, his greatest managerial asset. He also has a work ethic that exceeds 99% of the people in the workplace.
“He’s a very hard worker, a very dedicated man of integrity and goes the extra mile to try to help his customers and his employees, too,” said Steve Amos, AFC North District Manager. “He’s very hands on. If they’re behind on spreading, he’ll get in a spreader truck and run it until dark to try to help get caught up.”
Sanders and Amos worked together at Southern States Cooperative before Amos recruited him to work for the Co-op in 2013.
He turned Amos down at first. Until his wife reminded him of the importance of a regular paycheck and insurance. Sanders began working at Blount County Farmers Cooperative in March 2014 and hasn’t looked back.
“I love agriculture and helping people be successful. I grew up on a farm, it is just in my blood. I love the land and improving it,” Sanders said.
Working at Blount County Farmers Co-op feels like home to Sanders. “I have a great board that gives me the freedom to run the place like it belongs to me. I think of my employees as family. They really are because we spend so much time with each other,” he explained.
“Eric has brought the best staff. They’re the best employees that we’ve ever had at the Co-op. A great leader is somebody who puts a great team together. It takes team effort to win Manager of the Year. But Eric’s leadership is what made all that happen,” said Blount Farmers Cooperative Board Chairman Jeff Hallmark.
Under Sanders’ leadership, Blount Farmers Cooperative has experienced tremendous sales growth. When he began his career at the Co-op, the location’s sales were $2 million. Now, they’re $10 million.
“He’s really brought in a lot of business. The reason that people want to do business there is because they trust Eric and they know that they’re going to put forth their best effort and try to service them,” Amos said.
Sanders said it’s always been a goal of his to earn the prestigious E.P. Garrett Manager of the Year award and is incredibly honored to receive the 2023 title.
“I like to be as successful as possible in anything I do, and I am very competitive. When Steve Amos called me about the job, he told me then that I would win this one year,” Sanders said.
2023 was his year. But he says the award belongs to his employees as much as it does to him.
“All of the credit goes to my employees. Without their constant hard work and dedication, we would not be successful,” Sanders said.
He couldn’t have done it without the support of his loving family who understands his drive to work harder than ever for his Co-op, its employees and its customers.
