Ronald Offutt graduated from Moorhead High School in 1960. In high school he distinguished himself in Future Farmers of America, football and wrestling. In 1964, he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Concordia College, Moorhead. While at Concordia he starred in football and wrestling. In 1999 he was awarded the Concordia College Alumni Achievement Award, and in 2000 he was named to the Concordia College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Offutt is the founder and chief executive officer of the R.D. Offutt Company which is comprised of a variety of businesses and employs nearly 4,000 people in three divisions and other businesses. The cornerstone operation is a nine-state 130,000 acre farming operation. RDO is the nation’s largest producer of potatoes. Additionally RDO operates a farm and dairy operation, three food processing manufacturing plants, and markets its crops through several major processors.

Offutt is also the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of RDO Equipment Co., which owns the largest network of John Deere construction and agricultural equipment dealerships in the country.

Besides serving as chief executive officer of R.D. Offutt Company for 40 years, Offutt has also served as a board member for several community organizations and held membership in local and regional associations and charitable organizations.

Ronald is married to Karen Offutt. He has four children, Shelly Neal, Rondi McGovern, Christi Offutt and Ryan Offutt, two stepsons, Ace Brandt and Tyler Brandt, and eleven grandchildren. He lives in Fargo, North Dakota.