Meet Josh Barraza, Shift Supervisor at Western Sugar Cooperative’s Fort Morgan Facility. Josh’s journey at Western Sugar Cooperative began in 2016, when he was hired as a Lime Kiln Operator in Torrington, WY, after first hearing about the company from his sister, who worked in Torrington at the time. Over the years, Josh has gained experience in various roles, including Sugar Boiler, Utility End-Tech, and a Control Room Operator.

A proud native of Torrington, Josh holds his hometown close to his heart. He loves the peaceful atmosphere, the strong sense of community, and the abundance of fishing and camping opportunities. Before his time at Western Sugar, Josh pursued a career in culinary arts and worked as a professional cook, specializing in Italian cuisine, making plenty of pizza and pasta. Josh’s culinary background continues to influence his work at the facility. During his time as a Sugar Boiler, he found the transformation of liquid into solid and then into grain particularly fascinating, noting parallels to the process of cooking.

Working at Western Sugar has opened many doors for Josh, allowing him to develop skills he never expected to have, including daily maintenance work and improving his communication and problem-solving abilities. Many of his peers describe him as hardworking and a problem solver. He credits much of his success to the support he’s received from colleagues, particularly Edward Dardon, Factory Manager; Tyler Sand, Production Manager; and Dane Emmerling, Supervisor. These individuals have nothing but praise for Josh and his contributions to the team. Tyler Sand said, “Josh has been an invaluable addition to the Fort Morgan Factory since his transfer from Torrington. His strong drive and ability to solve problems have allowed him to move up through the beet and become a process supervisor. Josh’s expertise, reliability, and commitment to safety make a noticeable impact every day.” While Edward Dardon, Factory Manager, agrees with every word of Tyler’s and admires Josh’s “passion for his job.”

About the Author

Kaitlin Crawford oversees sales and marketing initiatives for Western Sugar Cooperative. She first served as the cooperative’s Marketing and Health and Wellness Representative and then transitioned to sales in 2015. Kaitlin previously worked at the U.S. Olympic Training Center with the Weightlifting Team as their public relations and marketing representative.