Member Profile: Eric Kresin

New SSGA board member aims to connect farmer’s story with end users 

From an Illinois farm kid to a key player in international trading at one of the country’s largest companies, Eric Kresin appreciates the complexities of the supply chain process, making him a perfect fit to serve on the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) board of directors.  

“Most grain trading is transactional in nature, whereas the IP industry is more relationship-driven. It’s about trust and fulfilling commitments to the farmer and end-user,” said Kresin, whose first meeting as a SSGA director occurred in September. 

Kresin grew up on a southeastern Illinois farm that raised corn and soybeans. He studied ag business and ag production in college before launching his career at Consolidated Grain and Barge, where he spent the next two decades in various roles, most notably working with international trade of identity preserved (IP) grains to countries such as Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Just two years ago, Eric and his family packed up and headed west for Kansas City, Kansas where he now heads up the IP grain and organic trade teams as general manager of specialty grains at Scoular. 

“One of the things I am very passionate about is continuing to promote IP grains, whether that’s corn, soybeans or other, just trying to find different markets for our SSGA members but also for the farm community as a whole,” said Kresin. “When prices are low and markets are tough, being able to find a different market for the farmers and letting them earn more dollars per acre is important.’ 

Kresin feels one of the most unique aspects of the IP industry is the personal connections that are made between the end users and the farmers who grow the crops.  

“When I think about the success of SSGA or its member companies, it’s based on being able to tell our story to the end users who want to buy the product. There’s a personal connection all the way through the supply chain,” said Kresin. “I can go to Japan and Korea and see the product U.S. farmers produced on store shelves and am honored to know we had a role in handling that product to make sure its identity is preserved throughout that process.” 

One of his big goals while serving on SSGA’s board is helping develop new markets and ensure they see the value that the IP commodity can bring to their food supply. He’s also looking forward to working with its next executive director, Randy Duckworth, following Eric Wenberg’s retirement in September 2024.  

“It’ll be an exciting time with a new director on the horizon and how we as a board can work with that individual to develop a new approach to SSGA,” Kresin said. “I’m very excited for the future and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this great organization.”