Soy Transportation Coalition elects officers for 2015

Ankeny, Iowa- The Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) elected its officers at the organization’s December 9th annual meeting in St. Louis.

Scott Gauslow of Colfax, North Dakota, was elected Chairman of the STC. Gauslow grows soybeans and corn on his farm with his wife, Jessica, and their two children. He has been a board member of the Soy Transportation Coalition since the organization’s inception in 2007 and served as the STC Vice Chairman in 2013-2014. Gauslow also currently serves as Chairman of the North Dakota Soybean Council.

“This past year, farmers have experienced the consequences of poor transportation service,” says Gauslow. “Many states, like North Dakota, that are primarily dependent upon rail service to move commodities to market suffered this past year due to our transportation system not being able to meet the needs of a growing agricultural industry. We witnessed how farmers ultimately are the ones who bear most of the burden from these challenges. I look forward to serving as chairman of the Soy Transportation Coalition " an organization that has positioned itself as an innovative and pragmatic voice for improving the transportation system for soybean farmers throughout the country.”

Gerry Hayden of Calhoun, Kentucky, was elected Vice Chairman. The STC Secretary-Treasurer over the past two years, Gerry and his wife, Judy, raise cattle and grow soybeans, corn, wheat, and hay. Gerry and Judy have two children and two grandchildren. A past chairman of the Kentucky Soybean Association, Hayden currently serves on the board of directors of the American Soybean Association.

Hayden states, “The soybeans grown in Kentucky and throughout the country are more likely to be consumed outside the country than within it. Because our customers are located in such distant locations, it continues to be critical that organizations like the Soy Transportation Coalition exist to promote a cost effective and reliable system of rural roads and bridges, highways and interstates, railroad infrastructure, inland waterways, and ports. If we fail to have a quality transportation system, farmer profitability will suffer.”

Mike Bellar of Howard, Kansas, was elected Secretary-Treasurer. Mike and his wife, Peggy, have five kids and raise soybeans, corn, wheat, and swine. Mike is also a director on the Kansas Soybean Commission.

“I am looking forward to serving as Secretary-Treasurer of the Soy Transportation Coalition,” says Bellar. “I believe seeking to improve the transportation system for the soybean industry is one of the best ways to work on behalf of my fellow producers. We have many challenges, but I look forward to moving the needle in a positive direction.”

Concluding his service on the STC board is Pat Knouff, a soybean and corn farmer from Minster, Ohio. Knouff served as Chairman of the Soy Transportation Coalition from 2013-2014 and was a member of the board of directors since 2008.

“One of the reasons the Soy Transportation Coalition has distinguished itself as an effective organization in a short period of time is due to having thoughtful and quality leaders like Pat Knouff,” explains Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition. “We will miss Pat and the other directors who have concluded their service with the organization. Fortunately the current board of directors continues to be comprised of the type of farmer leaders that have been part of the recipe for success thus far and will be into the future. I look forward to working with Chairman Gauslow, Vice Chairman Hayden, and Secretary-Treasurer Bellar as we continue to promote a transportation system that benefits U.S. agriculture.”