Mark Heil installed as GFAI president

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Grain and Feed Association of Illinois introduced its newly appointed officers and directors following the annual business meeting at the 132nd annual convention and trade show Feb. 17.

Leading the association as president is Mark Heil, representing Prairie Central Coop in Chenoa. Former President Doug Childers of ADM in Decatur assumes the role of Executive Committee chairman.

The organization welcomes Jeff Hendricks of Top Ag Cooperative, Okawville, at-large director; Ryan Horsfield of Viterra, Warren, north-area director; and Tom Parchert of River Valley Cooperative, Manlius.

Also new to the GFAI board as an alliance director is Eric Flick of Farm Credit Illinois, Springfield.

Reelected area directors include Derrick Bruhn, Topflight Grain Cooperative, Monticello; Drew Partain, Ladd Elevator Company, Ladd; Dustin Loseke, The Scoular Co., Overland Park, Kansas; and Ashley Thole, Mt. Vernon Elevator Co., Mt. Vernon.

Retaining their positions on the GFAI board are Cory Winstead, Growmark Inc., Bloomington; Dave Kunken, RCM Co-Op, Athens; Todd McTaggart, Evergreen FS, Bloomington; Jim Cronin, Leland Farmers, Leland; and Jay Day, Consolidated Grain & Barge, Cahokia.

Remaining on as alliance directors are Joe Alsup, Gardiner + Company CPAs, Springfield; and Brian Burke, John Stewart and Associates, Eureka, Missouri.

With the conclusion of the annual business meeting, the GFAI board elected members to the Executive Committee.

Alongside Heil as president and Childers as chairman, the Executive Committee includes Spencer Janssen, Litchfield Farmers Grain & Livestock Co., Litchfield, first vice president; and Joe Logsdon, Tremont Co-operative Grain Co., Tremont, second vice president.

Eric Wuthrich, Farmers Grain Co., Roseville, will serve as secretary. Jeffrey Adkisson of GFAI continues as executive vice president and treasurer.

Newly-seated President Heil expressed his honor in leading an organization that represents over 90% of commercial grain storage in Illinois.

“One of the greatest strengths of GFAI is its ability to bring people together — sharing ideas, solving problems and preparing for the challenges ahead. I’m honored to serve as president and look forward to continuing our mission of supporting the grain and feed industry in Illinois,” Heil said.

GFAI serves as the statewide trade association for the grain and feed industry, encompassing country and terminal grain elevators, feed dealers, feed manufacturers, grain brokers, truckers, and corn and soybean processors, along with companies providing goods and services to the industry.