eNews • December 2016
Promoting a Cost-Effective, Reliable and Competitive Transportation System

Soy Transportation Coalition elects officers during annual meeting

The Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) elected its officers and visited two area entities consequential to the nation’s freight transportation network during the organization’s annual meeting on November 29-30 in Williamsburg, Virginia.

During the annual meeting, Gerry Hayden of Calhoun, Kentucky, was elected chairman. Hayden served as the STC vice chairman from 2015-2016 and secretary-treasurer from 2013-2014. Gerry and his wife, Judy, raise cattle and grow soybeans, corn, wheat, and hay. They have two children and three grandchildren. A past chairman of the Kentucky Soybean Association, Hayden currently serves on the board of directors of the American Soybean Association.

“I look forward to serving as chairman of the Soy Transportation Coalition,” said Hayden. “Farmers and U.S. agriculture need a well-maintained, multi-modal system of roads, bridges, railroads, locks and dams, and ports to remain competitive. Our organization continues to explore innovative approaches to improve each link in our logistics chain. I am excited to be a part of it.”

Mike Bellar of Howard, Kansas, was elected vice chairman. In 2015-2016, Bellar served as the STC’s 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.

Joel Schreurs of Tyler, Minnesota, was elected secretary-treasurer. Joel raises soybeans and corn. He is married to Teresa and has four kids. Schreurs is also a director on the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and the American Soybean Association.

While in the area, the group visited the headquarters of Norfolk Southern Railway and received a presentation from the railroad’s agricultural services division. The group also toured the Virginia International Gateway port facility located in Norfolk.

The annual meeting served as the final meeting for Ed Ulch and Scott Gauslow - two farmer leaders who were members of the Soy Transportation Coalition’s initial board of directors and also served terms as chairman of the organization. Ulch, a farmer from Solon, Iowa, and Gauslow, a farmer from Colfax, North Dakota, both retired from the STC board due to term limitations.

“Throughout the organization’s existence, we have maintained a focus on improving our transportation system in order to improve the profitability and competitiveness of the U.S. soybean farmer,” explains Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition. “This mission focus has been in no small part due to the quality leadership of directors like Ed Ulch, Scott Gauslow, and so many others. While we will sincerely miss Ed and Scott’s insight and engagement, the three farmer leaders elected to the STC’s executive committee along with the new board of directors have the organization well positioned to maintain our positive momentum throughout this upcoming year and beyond.”


The Soy Transportation Coalition is comprised of thirteen state soybean boards, the American Soybean Association, and the United Soybean Board. The National Grain and Feed Association and the National Oilseed Processors Association serve as ex-officio members of the organization.

Soy Transportation Coalition
1255 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy., Ankeny, Iowa 50023
Phone: (515) 727-0665 Fax (515) 251-8657
Email msteenhoek@soytransportation.org
Web www.soytransportation.org

Funded by the Soybean Checkoff