SSGA elects board members; Prather chosen as chair

Rob Prather

The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance added one new member to its Board of Directors, re-elected two others and tabbed Rob Prather of Global Processing as its new board chair during its 2021 Annual Meeting on Friday.

Prather and past chairman Robert Sinner of SB&B Foods were re-elected to the board, and Bryan Stobaugh of the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council was elected to a third open seat.

Following the business meeting, the Board of Directors elected officers, and Prather was voted in as chair, moving up from his position of vice-chair.

“I’m humbled,” said Prather, chief strategic ambassador for Iowa-based Global Processing. “There’s definitely some big shoes to fill. I’m excited to be staying in the leadership. With the COVID-stunted progress that we’ve had, some things just didn’t quite get done. I’m excited that the U.S. Identity Preserved brand did get done – that was awesome – but I think there’s a lot more to do. Consistency and familiarity are what the people we deal with need, and I’m glad to be able to help provide that.”

Adam Buckentine of The Redwood Group was elected vice-chair and Colby Eymann of Scoular was elected secretary/treasurer.

“I’m really looking forward to continuing the work that’s already been happening at SSGA,” Buckentine said. “There’s a ton of great projects that are going on, and I’m going to do my best to use some of the knowledge that I’ve gained over the years in this industry to contribute.”

Earlier this year, Eymann was appointed to the board of directors following the resignation of Raquel Hansen. Eymann will complete the remaining two years of that seat’s term.

“I’m really excited and honored to join the board of directors here at SSGA,” Eymann said. “I think what’s really got me excited is the role of the U.S Identity Preserved brand and, together with Rob, as the chairman, and the rest of the board, pushing that out for U.S. soy and specialty grains.”

Stobaugh, who has served as chair of SSGA’s agronomy action team, was elected to the seat held by retiring board director Rick Brandenburger of Richland IFC. Other members of the SSGA Board of Directors include Darwin Rader of Zeeland Farm Services, Keith Schrader of Wheeling Grain Partnership and Andy Bensend of AB Farms.

“This is a group of such smart, talented people,” SSGA Executive Director Eric Wenberg said. “They not only represent all of the areas vital to SSGA and its members, but they have a passion for what they do. And that will only serve our membership and help our alliance grow and grow stronger going forward.”

SSGA’s annual meeting took place Friday at the Hyatt Regency in Bloomington, following the U.S. Identity Preserved launch event on Thursday in Minneapolis.

Besides board elections and the annual member business meeting, Friday’s agenda included several speakers and presenters, including: keynote speaker Sara Baer-Sinnott, president of Oldways/Whole Grains Council; ally spotlight speaker Ed Beaman, COO of U.S. Soybean Export Council; Molly Burns, branded program manager for Food Export-Midwest; Minnesota farmer and SSGA board member Keith Schrader; agronomists Dr. Tom Peters of North Dakota State University/University of Minnesota and Dr. Kate Warpeha of University of Illinois Chicago.

SSGA also announced its annual Alliance Honors, recognizing those who have made significant and sustaining contributions to the U.S. IP industry in 2021.