United States Identity Preserved Alliance elects directors, appoints officers

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lllinois farmer reelected chair

The votes are in! During the United States Identity Preserved Alliance Annual Meeting in Chicago, three board directors were reelected – Jake Noll with Richland IFC, Chuck Kunisch of Michigan Agricultural Commodities and Curt Petrich with H.C. International – and officers were selected for 2026-27, with Bryan Severs reappointed chair. 

“I’m excited to lead this organization for another year,” said Severs, who raises soybeans, corn and cattle in Illinois. “The U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance is doing vital work in the identity preserved industry and I’m looking forward to continuing to work alongside my fellow board members to be a voice for industry stakeholders.”

U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance, formerly known as the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance, is the leading voice for the industry that delivers traceable, high-quality, variety-specific field crops to food markets worldwide. Noll was reelected vice chair, with Jordan Atchison remaining as secretary/treasurer.

“Over the past year, I’ve really enjoyed my time serving as vice chair of this organization,” Noll said. “I appreciate the confidence that my fellow board members have in me and for giving me the opportunity to continue serving as vice chair.”

Atchison, who was elected to the U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance board of directors in 2024, is eager to continue advancing the identity preserved agriculture industry in the next year.

“The identity preserved agriculture industry is critical to growers, exporters and food suppliers around the world,” Atchison said. “Representing USIP Alliance as secretary/treasurer has been a gratifying experience and I’m excited to continue my tenure alongside my peers.”

For the sixth year, U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance recognized individuals who have made significant and sustaining contributions to the identity preserved agriculture industry in 2025 with its Alliance Honors. Janna Fritz, who most recently served as chair of the U.S. Soybean Export Council, received the Alliance Honor for Stewardship while Tina Lyons, founder of Double River Forwarding, received the Alliance Honor for Advancing Transportation. Chuck Kunisch was given the Alliance Honor for Advancing U.S. IP Alliance. While he was unable to attend the Annual Meeting to receive his award, Japanese food manufacturer Shinsuke Yamada accepted his Alliance Honor for Advancing IP while attending the U.S. Identity Preserved International Summit in Vietnam March 22-24.

“These awards recognize stewardship, as well as advancements in transportation, identity preserved agriculture and the U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance,” said Severs.

The annual meeting will be followed by U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance’s Transportation Go! conference on Wednesday and Thursday in Chicago.

U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance continues global outreach with International Summit

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The 2026 U.S. Identity Preserved International Summit went worldwide in March 2026, welcoming 160 participants from 18 countries to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

“The Summit is an opportunity to share ideas, explore innovations and strengthen partnerships that support transparency and trust throughout the identity preserved supply chain,” United States Identity Preserved Alliance Chair Bryan Severs said during his opening remarks. “Throughout the next two days, we hope you’ll gain new insights, build meaningful connections and leave motivated to advance identity preserved crops.”

Hosted by the U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance, the leading voice for the industry that delivers traceable, high-quality, variety-specific field crops to food markets across the globe, this year’s Summit was a catalyst for robust discussions and networking experiences centered around the identity preserved agriculture industry.

Setting the tone with Sunday night’s Welcome Reception, the Summit launched its programming the following morning with Chair Severs, who farms in Illinois, kicking off an agenda packed with industry experts, including U.S. Soybean Export Council CEO Jim Sutter; Jinhwa F.I. CEO Jin Yoon;  World Initiative for Soy in Human Health Program Manager Tate Jeffries; and Edil Vidal Torres, a food technologist and scientist at Northern Crops Institute. Insight from Paul Newnham, CEO of SDG2 Advocacy Hub, which advocates getting good food to everyone, everywhere, spotlighted the Hub’s “Beans is How” campaign aiming to double global bean and other pulse consumption by 2028 and the role identity preserved crops can play in the movement.

“Identity preservation is not just a technical system; it’s a promise,” Newnham said. “A promise that what was planted is what will be delivered. A promise of integrity from seed to shipment. A promise that trust can travel across oceans.”

That promise is what makes the U.S. Identity Preserved International Summit critical to U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance’s vision to promote and enhance value throughout the supply chain, from farmer to food business. All aspects of the supply chain were featured on the agenda, from identity preserved growers to researchers to exporters to international purchasers.

“Quality doesn’t cost, it pays back,” said Identity Preserved Crops Advisor Raquel Hansen, who farms in southern Minnesota, growing IP crops.

On the other end of the supply chain, international purchasers, Jin Yoon offered a unique insight into the conversations that selling IP affords him.

“Identity preserved crops are important for me because it gives my customers a choice,” Yoon said.

Other speakers included on the agenda were Matt Tripodi of Euromonitor; Hans Eisenbeis with The Non-GMO Project; buckwheat researcher Dr. Krysztof Dziedzic; and Shinsuke Yamada of Yamada Foods. The Summit also featured a U.S. IP growers panel, contracting and CME panel and transportation panel, generating productive discussions around topics essential to the industry. During his presentation, Tripodi shared that the total growth in Asia Pacific for food between 2025 and 2030 is $944 billion.

“There is no bigger opportunity in the world,” Tripodi said. “It’s happening right here. The reason why you’re here is to build the relationships to capture some of this growth and this growth is record setting. … Transparency is shifting from a differentiator to a requirement. … This is where identity preserved comes in.”

The identity preserved agriculture industry is gaining momentum, and the U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance will be along for the ride, helping to build, grow and sustain a reliable supply chain that ensures integrity of the end quality.

“It’s been exciting to see everyone come in from so many different countries and so many different backgrounds with very different uses of IP crops between companies,” U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance Executive Director Randy Duckworth said. “It was a great conference.”

SSGA supports NCI tech’s learning mission

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For Edil Vidal Torres, furthering her knowledge of global food manufacturing methods is vital to her work as a food technologist at Northern Crops Institute (NCI). As she scans and analyzes soybeans for food use, understanding different preferences and techniques allows her to find which varieties perform best for tofu, soymilk, natto and other foods. 

Earlier this month, Vidal Torres had the opportunity to travel to Japan to learn different manufacturing practices, including ingredient and equipment preferences, from a variety of companies – all customers of SSGA members who supply identity preserved soybeans. 

SSGA, through its U.S. Identity Preserved and natto industry-supporting activities, supported travel and accompany Vidal Torres on the technical learning mission, which included visits to five companies around Japan, as well as conversations with buyers, retailers and in-country representatives of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC). SSGA Manager of Strategic Programs Shane Frederick and SSGA board Director Bob Sinner joined Vidal Torres on the trip.  

“It was inspiring to visit soy processing facilities, connect with industry leaders, and learn firsthand about Japan’s innovative approaches to soyfood production and product quality,” Vidal Torres said. “Collaboration across borders drives the future of soy utilization. I’m excited to bring these insights back and put them into practice.” 

As a food technologist for NCI, Vidal Torres, conducts laboratory analyses on soybeans and other crops, performs product development and testing with soy-based and other foods, assists with pilot-scale processing and product-development projects; and assists with educational program development through crop-promotion activities and lab and pilot-scale demonstrations. 

NCI offers technical services, including consulting, processing and product development, and testing to scan and evaluate multiple ingredients and food products, including soy products such as tofu, soymilk and fermented soy products. Learn more about NCI at this link. 

Vidal Torres returned from Japan with better understanding of different tofu manufacturing practices and preferences, as well as further understanding of natto manufacturing with the hope of one day adding pilot-scale natto equipment to NCI’s food labs. 

Vidal Torres will report on the trip to SSGA, present to the SSGA board during its December meeting, and conduct a webinar for SSGA members sometime in 2026. 

“Edil’s expanded knowledge and continued work at NCI will be a great resource and benefit to the U.S. Identity Preserved industry, including IP soy suppliers from all around the country, as well as their overseas customers,” Frederick said. “SSGA was more than pleased to support this trip, as it fits our strategy as the U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance to promote high-quality, U.S.-origin crops for a variety of food uses, including organizing and supporting the U.S. natto industry.” 

SSGA’s natto activities are supported by the North Dakota Soybean Council (NDSC) and Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC), and SSGA’s work on all U.S. Identity Preserved-activities, including promotion of identity preserved soybeans as food ingredients is supported with funding from NDSC, MSR&PC, Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, Illinois Soybean Association, Michigan Soybean Committee and South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council. 

Preview of USIPA India Soybean Production & Soy Foods Outlook

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Randy Duckworth, executive director of U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance (USIPA)/Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA), attended the eighth International Soy Conclave in Indore, India, Oct. 8-9.  

During the conference, Duckworth engaged with industry leaders to assess the current landscape and outlook of India’s soybean sector. Duckworth is preparing a report about discussion from the event. The special report highlights a year of significant change and challenge: India’s 2025 soybean crop was sharply affected by floods, disease and a nationwide push toward alternative crops like corn (for ethanol use), leading to a 16% decline in production – especially in top states like Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Soybean prices remain well below India’s minimum support levels, with inconsistent quality further impacting profitability for farmers and processors.

The country’s feed industry is rapidly shifting to corn-based alternatives, reducing domestic demand for soymeal, while edible oil extraction from soybeans continues to drop – fueling increased soy imports from African sources. India’s soyfood sector, however, is on an upswing. Urbanization, rising health awareness and evolving dietary habits are driving growth in tofu, soymilk and textured vegetable protein (TVP) among urban and younger consumers, despite challenges in quality and supply chain infrastructure.

Duckworth’s presentation at the Conclave, supported by case studies from Asia, outlined economic and traceability benefits for food processors using U.S. identity preserved (IP) soybeans. The report points to strong strategic opportunities for U.S. exporters: targeted imports of high-quality, non-GMO IP soybeans could help India’s rapidly growing soy foods sector meet evolving consumer preferences and regulatory standards. SSGA continues to advocate for U.S.-India trade negotiations that would facilitate a duty-free quota of U.S. IP soybeans, unlocking potential for both Indian processors and American growers.

Key findings, market insights and recommendations for SSGA members will be available in the full report distributed next week. 

SSGA staff, partners tour Brushvale Seed research plots

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While most people who work in the soybean industry are familiar with conventionally grown soybeans, identity preserved (IP) soybeans are a different bean entirely. 

Brushvale, a long-time partner and member of the Specialty Soya and Grain Alliance (SSGA), has been growing identity preserved crops for over 40 years. On Sept. 23, it hosted a tour for SSGA staff and stakeholders for an up-close look at Brushvale’s research plots.  

Research staff leads from Minnesota and North Dakota’s qualified state soybean board were in attendance to learned about various, ongoing research projects.  

“As we work with our supporting states, it was an opportunity to bring in staff from those states – researchers and market development leads – to understand the food-grade soybean and true IP system that starts at the seed and goes to the customers,” said Shane Frederick, SSGA manager of strategic programs. “Companies like Brushvale are working every day to find new varieties for their customers and working diligently to continue to fulfill that export market for U.S. IP soybeans.”  

The tour took place at one of the four Brushvale research plots located near its home facility in Breckenridge. Attendees walked through plots of IP soybeans grown for soy milk, tofu and natto. 

“The breeding program is driven by consumer needs, which you don’t find in the conventional soybean system,” said Sergio Cabello Leiva, director of research at the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council. “The connection between variety development and the consumer is amazing.” 

Forty percent of the research plots now focus on natto beans, and they are constantly breeding different soybean varieties based on what the consumer wants. While Brushvale’s main focus is, of course, breeding for yield increases, they also breed for protein and sugar content.  

“(As an IP grower), there’s not much more rewarding than going to somewhere like Japan and seeing that product on the shelves,” said Tessa Mohs, plant breeder for Brushvale Seed. 

Brushvale Seed is a verified user of the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance plan and brandmark. Verified users have met program qualifications to ensure their products are traceable and U.S. grown and are eligible to use the U.S. Identity Preserved mark on product packaging, collateral and other materials. 

Comparing proposals to fund Highway Trust Fund through registration fees instead of taxes

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By Gary Williams, SSGA Director of Transportation & Regulatory Affairs 

The Highway Trust Fund (HTF) faces a persistent solvency crisis, with spending far exceeding traditional revenue sources such as gasoline and diesel taxes. As fuel efficiency improves and electric vehicle (EV) adoption grows, these revenues fail to keep pace with infrastructure needs. The Congressional Budget Office warns of a $40 billion annual shortfall by 2029 – growing to $46 billion by 2032 – if current funding structures remain unchanged. 

Lawmakers and policy groups have been floating multiple reforms to replace or supplement the fuel tax system, shifting toward direct registration-based fees. These proposals aim to restore the “user-pays” principle while ensuring sustainable revenue in a changing transportation landscape. 

  1. Federal EV and hybrid registration fees

One proposal debated in Congress in 2025 would add annual federal registration fees collected through state DMVs: 

  • $250 per year for electric vehicles 
  • $100 per year for hybrids 
  • Possible low flat fee for ICE vehicles (proposed but removed before final vote) 

These fees would be temporary (set to sunset in the mid-2030s) and would be remitted to the HTF’s Highway Account. States would be offered incentives and face penalties for nonparticipation to ensure nationwide adoption. Supporters argue this restores fairness, while critics say EV owners would be overcharged compared to their fuel-tax-paying counterparts. 

  1. Infrastructure access fee based on vehicle weight

(Highway Users Proposal) 

Another, more sweeping reform comes from the Highway Users coalition, which proposes eliminating all current federal fuel taxes and truck-related taxes and replacing them with a federal “Infrastructure Access Fee” on all vehicles, based on their weight class. 

How it works: 

  • Collected through existing state vehicle registration systems, minimizing administrative overhead. 
  • Applies to all vehicles regardless of fuel type – ensuring EVs and future alternative-fuel vehicles contribute proportionally to road wear. 
  • Estimated revenue: about $70 billion annually. 

Eliminates: 

  • Federal gasoline/diesel excise taxes 
  • 12% Federal Excise Tax on new trucks and trailers 
  • Other HTF-specific excise taxes 

Benefits: 

  • Technologically neutral; no data tracking needed. 
  • Could reduce fuel prices by removing pump taxes. 
  • Predictable revenue base tied to vehicle fleet growth. 
  • Reduces compliance complexity for industry. 
  • States keep the first $100 million they collect annually as an incentive. 

Transition process highlights: 

  • Federal funds to help states adapt systems and audit vehicle weights. 
  • Nationwide public awareness campaign before rollout. 
  • Pro-rated fees for transition period. 
  • Compliance ensured via fines and registration checks. 

 

Side-by-Side Comparison of Proposals 

Feature / Factor  EV & Hybrid Registration Fee (Congress 2025)  Infrastructure Access Fee (Highway Users) 
Primary Goal  Supplement HTF revenue from EVs and hybrids  Replace all current HTF revenue sources 
Tax/Fee Base  EVs: $250/year; Hybrids: $100/year; no ICE fee in final bill  Annual registration fee for all vehicles based on weight 
Fuel Taxes  Remain in place  Eliminated entirely 
Fairness Across Vehicle Types  Only applies to EVs/hybrids (ICE continue paying fuel tax)  All pay proportionally to vehicle weight 
Revenue Estimate  ~$38 billion over 10 years  ~$70 billion annually 
Sunset Date  Mid-2030s  No planned sunset 
Collection Method  Collected by states via DMV and remitted to FHWA  Collected by states via DMV and remitted to Treasury 
State Incentives  Grants for setup and penalties for non-compliance  First $100 million kept by state + late fee revenues 
Impact on Fuel Prices  No change  Likely reduction (removal of fuel excise) 
Environmental Impact  Could disincentivize EV adoption  Technology neutral, no direct environmental price signal 
Industry Impact  Minimal change for trucking  Eliminates 12% truck/trailer FET; lowers fleet costs 
Implementation Complexity  Moderate (limited group affected)  Higher initially (all vehicles affected), but uses existing systems 

The Highway Trust Fund’s future depends on shifting away from declining fossil fuel tax revenues toward more sustainable funding models. Federal EV and hybrid fees offer a targeted short-term supplement, while the Infrastructure Access Fee represents a full structural overhaul. As Congress prepares for post-2026 transportation reauthorization, these two proposals, alone or combined, could shape the next era of U.S. infrastructure financing.

SSGA provides expertise for Food Soy Procurement Course

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Northern Crops Institute (NCI) welcomed a trade group from South Asia through its doors in Fargo, N.D., June 16-20 for its annual Food Soy Procurement Course. The course, made up mostly of participants from Nepal and India, focused on the unique aspects of sourcing and purchasing high-quality, identity preserved (IP) soybeans for various food products, including soymilk, tofu, soy snacks, miso, natto and tempeh.   

“USSEC (The U.S. Soybean Export Council) was kind enough to bring us these participants, who are mainly buyers from food manufacturing businesses that really want to expand their food soy products with IP food grade soy from the United States,” said Liz Benson, program manager with NCI. 

Throughout the weeklong program, participants received a crash course on U.S. markets, breeding and testing of soybean varieties, soybean grading, container shipping, how to purchase identity preserved soybeans from the United States and the many advantages of U.S. IP soy. 

“One of the challenges we heard predominantly this week is how hard it is for them to get U.S. soybeans to their country,” Benson said. “It’s far, it takes a long time, and it can be expensive, so we try to make connections with processors so they’re able to speed up that process and get a realistic idea of timeframes, so they know when they need to contract and who to contract with.”   

As a sponsor of the course, the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) spoke with participants on the economic advantages of utilizing IP food grade soybeans, the U.S. soybean grading system and container transportation. Attendees heard from several SSGA members who supply IP soybeans, including visits to SB&B Foods and Brushvale Seed. Representatives from those companies, as well as Puris, HC International, Grain Millers and Richland IFC also presented and met with participants. 

“They get to see the IP process firsthand and get a better understanding of the opportunities that are there in the food-grade space to really improve their own products, either just enhance what they already know or start from the beginning,” said Shane Frederick, manager of strategic programs for SSGA. “There’s been a lot of companies that have come through here from Southeast Asia, Japan and this year South Asia who not only get a crash course on IP procurement but also differentiating U.S. IP soy from their other food ingredients.”  

Thought exchange 

While the participants came from neighboring countries, their challenges and opportunities are unique in that India has substantial tariffs on imported soy while Nepal can acquire it for only a minor duty. Some of the participants are already purchasers of U.S. IP soybeans, but Frederick says there is always more to learn.  

“It’s invaluable for them to have the opportunity to learn more about the soybean varieties, breeding, and grading and visit the fields, chat face to face with the farmers who grow their soybeans and tour the facilities that sort, clean and ship them,” Frederick said. “It provides a better understanding of why it costs more but, more importantly, why it’s worth the investment.”  

Gaurav Agrawal, whose company Shree Radne Rani International Trading was the first-ever importer of U.S. IP soybeans to Nepal in 2023, participated in this year’s course to broaden his knowledge of the buying process and learn more about U.S. Soy to further develop his products. 

“Our markets are very different, but the common basic product is IP soybeans, so why not exchange our thoughts and expertise to develop new products, which can be a win-win situation for both of our markets,” Agrawal said. “Thank you to NCI, SSGA and USSEC from the bottom of my heart for this opportunity.” 

The Food Soy Procurement Course was also sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, North Dakota Soybean Council and South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council. 

‘Highlight of the summer:’ SSGA prepares for Food Soy Procurement Course

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SSGA is excited to once again sponsor and take part in Northern Crops Institute’s (NCI) Food Soy Procurement Course June 16-20 in Fargo, N.D. SSGA and several of its member companies have been instrumental in assisting NCI in developing the agenda for this course and providing speakers, presentations and content.  

SSGA’s participation includes a welcome from SSGA Secretary/Treasurer Jordan Atchinson of Puris, an identity preserved soybean demonstration from IP adviser Raquel Hansen, a presentation on container shipping from Director of Transportation & Regulatory Affairs Gary Williams,  and a presentation on the economic advantages of purchasing identity preserved soybeans as food ingredients and a discussion about the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance plan and brand from Manager of Strategic Programs Shane Frederick.  

“NCI’s Food Soy Procurement Course is one of the highlights of the summer for SSGA,” Frederick said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with international buyers and food manufacturers and focus on the entire ‘fork to farm’ U.S. Identity Preserved system, giving them the tools they need to purchase high-quality, specialty soybeans from the United States for their own high-quality foods.” 

Participants from India and Nepal will hear from representatives of SSGA members SB&B Foods, Brushvale Seed, HC International, Grain Millers, Richland IFC, the North Dakota Trade Office and U.S. Soybean Export Council, among others. They’ll also visit and tour SB&B in Casselton, N.D., and Brushvale Seed in Breckenridge, Minn. 

“This course provides participants with valuable industry knowledge but also creates opportunities for meaningful connections,” said Elizabeth Benson, program manager for NCI. “Many of our attendees find that these interactions spark new ideas and lasting professional relationships.” 

For more information on this course and other NCI educational opportunities and services, visit https://www.northern-crops.com/. 

 

SSGA hosting Philippines U.S. Identity Preserved Workshop

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An SSGA delegation is heading to Manila to conduct a U.S. Identity Preserved Workshop on March 20. SSGA Executive Director Randy Duckworth and Manager of Strategic Programs Shane Frederick will lead the event, which will include panel discussions and presentations from SSGA members. 

Todd Sinner of SB&B Foods; Austin DeLong, The DeLong Co.; and Guillermo Mancebo of Puris will present about shipping identity preserved (IP) field crops, seed varieties and facility quality.  

Rick Brandenburger of Richland IFC; Tom Taliaferro of Montague Farms and Aaron Mohs of Brushvale Seed will present on a panel about farming and production. 

Presentations also include an overview of the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance protocol and brand mark and a briefing from Japnit Singh of Yamada Consulting & Spire with results of the economic proof point market research about tofu and soymilk conducted for SSGA. 

The workshop will be held in conjunction with U.S. Soybean Export Council’s Ag Supply Chain Asia March 17-19 and the Asia Soy Excellence and Food Summit, which will be held March 19-21.  

SSGA awards annual Alliance Honors

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SSGA honored familiar faces with the fifth annual SSGA Alliance Honors at the SSGA annual meeting on March 11. The SSGA Executive Committee recognizes those who have made significant and sustaining contributions to the U.S. Identity Preserved industry in the past year. The Alliance Honors recognize stewardship, as well as advancements in transportation, IP and SSGA as an organization. 

SSGA Alliance Honor for Stewardship: Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council 

Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council – in particular, its promotion action team, but also its research action team – is recognized for its great leadership and significant financial stewardship that help ensure the success of SSGA’s activities, projects and programs and, in turn, establish our organization as a business alliance with a national and international impact. MSR&PC’s farmer leaders have supported SSGA since its foundation, recognizing our work to promote the state’s identity preserved and specialty soybean crop, including non-GMO and food-grade soybeans to export markets around the world. It supports the communication of agronomic and educational information about IP/specialty crops to farmers; studies and reports on transportation issues that will help intermodal movement of IP/specialty crops from the farm to the end user; and sponsors and participates in events that further SSGA’s vision to promote and enhance value throughout the supply chain, from farms to food businesses.  

Council Vice Chair and SSGA Director Gail Donkers accepted the award of MSR&PC. 

SSGA Alliance Honor for Advancing Transportation: Peter Hirthe 

Mr. Hirthe, director of the office of trade and economic development for the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, is recognized for his and the agency’s work to promote and revitalize the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway as a viable trade-lane option that serves the U.S. intermodal and international transportation system. Hirthe first approached SSGA about working with the Corporation in 2021, a conversation that led to the creation of the Transportation Go! conference, the first of which took place in Milwaukee in 2022. The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation continues to be a strong supporter of SSGA and its work to improve container shipping for specialty agriculture out of the northern states, sponsoring and participating in subsequent Transportation Go! events (including this week’s T-Go! in Minneapolis), SSGA fact-finding trips and meetings in Canada and Europe and our other transportation work, along with state commodity organizations in the Great Lakes region.  

SSGA Alliance Honor for Advancing IP: Hathairat Prachayaphiphat 

Ms. Hathairat is recognized for her distinguished career, retiring as head of procurement division for Thailand’s Green Spot Co., Ltd., after more than 20 years, during which she was responsible for core strategic and operational procurement functions and was engaged in developing the company’s overall supply network. During her time at Green Spot, she was a champion of U.S. Identity Preserved soybeans, establishing and maintaining strong relationships with U.S. suppliers of high-quality, specialty ingredients for the company’s own product line. Hathairat got to know her suppliers’ businesses, and they got to know hers in ways that allowed for close, consistent communication through the procurement process. Hathairat supported SSGA messaging, as well, presenting at the international launch of the U.S. Identity Preserved brand in Ho Chi Mihn City, Vietnam in 2022 and appearing at the first Identity Preserved International Summit in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 2023. 

SSGA Alliance Honor for Advancing SSGA: Eric Wenberg 

Mr. Wenberg is recognized for his tireless work and great achievements in 5 ½ years as SSGA’s first executive director. Drawing on a distinguished and well-traveled career in government with USDA, Wenberg successfully led SSGA out of its infancy, navigating the organization through peaks and valleys before leaving it, upon his retirement, in a strong position as a rising national organization that serves its members, and the overall identity preserved and specialty soybean and grain industry. Under Wenberg’s leadership, SSGA built and launched the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance plan and brandmark, negotiated and administered a unique export certification program for high-quality specialty grains, communicated and educated on vital transportation issues that affect U.S. agricultural shippers, and much, much more!  

His unique blend of tenaciousness, creativity and kindness left an impression on board directors, members and staff alike. Thank you, Eric, for setting up SSGA for success going forward!