USSEC would like to congratulate the newly elected American Soybean Association (ASA) and United Soybean Board (USB) officers.
ASA held its winter board meetings in St. Louis last week with the ASA Board of Directors confirming Wade Cowan from Brownfield, Texas, as its newest President.  Outgoing President Ray Gaesser of Corning, Iowa, moves to the position of Chairman.  Board members also elected Richard Wilkins from Greenwood, Delaware, to serve as First Vice President, which places him in line to be the association’s president in 2016.
“I’m pleased with the team we elected today and I think it’s an important step toward a world class standard as an organization,” Mr. Cowan said.  “We will work together this year to unify and move agriculture forward.”
“It’s an honor to be selected by your peers and given the opportunity to serve the soybean industry,” Mr. Wilkins added.  “It will be an endeavor to work hard with the other leadership and address the challenges and opportunities we face as an industry.”
ASA’s nine-member executive committee is rounded out by Secretary Ron Moore of Illinois; Treasurer Davie Stephens of Kentucky; Vice Presidents Kevin Hoyer (Wisconsin); Bret Davis (Ohio); Joe Steinkamp (Indiana) and John Heisdorffer (Iowa).
Mr. Gaesser said he looks forward to working with the newly elected leaders this year.  “We have a great team elected for leadership at ASA,” he said.  “We’re excited about being proactive and addressing those issues that impact soybean farmers.”
ASA’s meeting also served as a venue to celebrate the retirements of Alan Kemper, Jim Andrew, Robert Ross, Dean Campbell, Danny Murphy, Bob Worth and Ron Bunjer.  New board members Kendall Culp (Indiana); Wayne Fredericks (Iowa); E.L. Reed (Missouri); Brooks Hurst (Missouri); Bill Wykes (Illinois); Willard Jack (Mississippi); Monte Peterson, (North Dakota); Joel Schreurs (Minnesota) and George Goblish (Minnesota) were elected.
USB also held its winter meetings in St. Louis this week, electing Bob Haselwood from Berryton, Kansas as chairman for the next year.
The following farmer-leaders will be joining Mr. Haselwood on the executive committee to oversee USB’s profit-building projects:

Additionally, Nebraska farmer Gregg Fujan will serve as Supply Target Area coordinator.  Keith Tapp, from Kentucky, will serve as Audit & Evaluation Committee chair.
“Having the feedback from the industry-wide CONNECTIONS meeting really helps us as farmer-directors to lay a path for the future of this organization,” said Mr. Haselwood.  “And in addition to that, I’ve got a great group to help me lead this board, and we’re excited to get to work.”
Members of the Strategic Management Committee (SMC) will continue to keep the checkoff’s strategic goals at the forefront. Farmer-leaders who will serve on the SMC include:

In addition to electing a new slate of officers, 19 checkoff farmer-leaders were sworn in. Five of these directors are new to the board, with 14 returning.
USSEC welcomes the new ASA and USB officers and looks forward to continuing its work with ASA and USB to further the mission of the U.S. soy family.