Member Spotlight: Michael Orlowski
GEAPS’ August/September 2025 issue of the In-Grain newsletter features GEAPS Member Spotlight Michael Orlowski. The full issue of In-Grain is available to GEAPS Members. If you aren’t a GEAPS Member, you can sign up online.
About Michael Orlowski:
Position and Company:
Regional Agronomy Operations Lead/Dispatcher at Five Star Cooperative
Chapter:
North Iowa
Geographic Region/Location:
Joice, IA
Years with company:
4 years managing Scarville, IA location; in first year of current role
Years in Industry:
15 years
Family:
Wife Amanda
How has being a GEAPS member helped you grow?
The networking has helped open my insight into the backgrounds of others in the industry. When I started as a location manager in 2021, my view of the industry was often limited to what I saw at our location. With GEAPS’ networking opportunities, especially at GEAPS Exchange, you get to connect with a broader base of people and see different products. It’s a first-hand opportunity to understand whole big picture and how new ideas and technologies can integrate with your own facility.
Favorite part about working in the grain industry:
At the coop, you get to work with individuals with common goals and interests. Everyone works together, and the team grows together by finding each other’s strengths. You really get to know everyone on a personal level, from the employees on the job or the farmers we work with. I enjoy the work, and I enjoy the people in the ag world. We have a great team at Five Star who show up and support each other, whether it’s a long day or a short day to get the job done.
Unique fact about your facility:
The adapting and growing of the automation, particularly at Five Star’s Scarville location, is at the forefront of automation for coops in the area. An example is our MCi AutoKicker to automate the grading process. Full automation at the scale is a valuable tool for accuracy, consistency, and to save money.
Biggest influence on your career:
My dad is someone I’ve always looked up to as I’ve grown in my career. I started from sweeping bin bottoms at a coop and worked my way up to running multiple locations. He always said, “Never be afraid to give 100% and know that the job doesn’t always finish when you want it to.” In our industry, we don’t work 9-5; we finish when the job gets done. Sometimes it takes longer, and sometimes it’ll be shorter. Another influential mentor in my career has been Matt Sauer. He showed me that as a manager you don’t need to know every aspect of the job. What you need is to employ people who excel in those aspects, so you have a rockstar team. I give all the credit to Matt for teaching me the importance of building and growing employees.
What is an industry-wide trend affecting your company right now?
AI is the big trend everywhere, and the trick is finding the right AI that can be integrated properly and effectively. Not every AI is beneficial. In the grain handling industry, we need a trusted source that gives you beneficial information when needed. Right now, AI has huge potential in preventative maintenance to try to beat the breakdown. Though some things will always be out of your hands, AI has the capability to catch potential issues early. With effective AI tracking, you can plan ahead, and that’s where it can save you the most money.
