16 Apr KGFA elects 90th chairman, celebrates 129th annual meeting in Wichita
Kansas Grain and Feed Association’s (KGFA) board of directors, and membership at-large, selected Andrew Fullerton of Bartlett Grain A Savage Company to serve as the historic trade association’s 90th chairman during its 129th annual meeting held April 14 – 15, 2025 in Wichita.
“The Kansas Grain and Feed Association has a long history of being a tremendous advocate for agriculture,” Fullerton said. “I am honored to be the incoming chairman, and I would like to thank the KGFA Membership and its board of directors for this opportunity. I would also like to thank the staff of KGFA for the important work they do for the agriculture industry, and how they continue to strengthen the value proposition of membership for our industry participants. I look forward to working with association staff more closely, as we continue to serve our members and further strengthen our association.”
Fullerton grew up on a farming and ranching operation in the sandhills of Nebraska. He attended the University of Nebraska, and worked for a cooperative in his native state, before starting with Bartlett Grain Co., more than 15 years ago. He has spent most of his career at the company’s grain terminal facilities in Wichita and Great Bend, Kansas. He is currently based in Kansas City and leads the company’s Grain Origination Team and Business Development efforts.
Along with its leadership elections, KGFA’s 129th annual meeting attracted nearly 150 of the association’s active capacity and associate members to Wichita for networking and educational sessions. Keynote speaker, Dave Young, executive director of the Kansas Fusion Center raised awareness on a variety of threats from foreign adversaries affecting agribusiness. Kansas legislative leaders, Speaker of the House of Representatives Dan Hawkins (R-Wichita) and Senate President Ty Masterson (R-Andover) provided a recap of the recently-completed 2025 Kansas legislative session.
“First, we’d like to thank each and every member who joined us for our 129th annual meeting. We’re delighted to have Andrew Fullerton guiding our association during his stint as our chairman for the next two years,” KGFA President and CEO Ron Seeber said. “We hope our members found value in gaining an understanding of the security threats facing our industry, in addition to hearing first-hand from our state’s legislative leaders on policies at the state level affecting agribusiness.”
KGFA also bestowed its most prestigious honor, the Sunflower Award, to Gary Gantz of D.E. Bondurant Grain Company. Gantz served a 10-year stint on KGFA’s Board of Directors and was elected as the association’s chairman from 2009-11.
The association also completed its formal annual business consisting of a report on membership activities, board of director elections and financial status. KGFA membership re-elected Alex Gerard (Viterra) and Devin Schierling (MKC) to its board of directors, while Jonathan Mayes of Cargill, Inc., and Janell Smit of Ashland Feed and Seed Co., joined the board as new nominees. Throughout the event, members enjoyed networking inside hospitality suites sponsored by: Ardent Mills; Cargill Inc.; ProValue Insurance; BarnesCo; Central States Fumigation; Drake, Inc.; Hammel Scale a Mettler Toledo Brand; McPherson Concrete Storage Systems; Rolfes @ Boone; and Western Ag Enterprises. The event wrapped up with a golf outing to Reflection Ridge Golf Course where more than 85 golfers participated in a tournament.
KGFA Annual Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Wichita, Kansas
Chairman Mark Paul called the 129th annual meeting of the Kansas Grain and Feed Association (KGFA) to order at 9:00 a.m., (CST).
Paul declared a quorum of the members participating in the meeting as required by the KGFA bylaws.
Paul requested a nominating report from former chairman Brent Emch. Emch presented the nominating report and slate of candidates. The following were nominated for election to the KGFA Board of Directors for 2025.
Re-election
- Alex Gerard (Viterra)
- Devin Schierling (MKC)
New Nominees
- Jonathan Mayes (Cargill, Inc.)
- Janell Smit (Ashland Feed and Seed Co.)
Paul asked KGFA President and CEO Ron Seeber if there were any additional nominations, pursuant to the bylaws. There being none, a motion was made and seconded to approve the candidates as presented. Motion passed.
Paul asked if there was any new or old business to be discussed. There being none, a motion was made and seconded to conclude the business portion of the annual meeting. Motion passed.
Paul gave a report on the association’s activities in 2024, including member services, the association expo and other programs.
Seeber thanked KGFA sponsors, reviewed the membership status of the association, gave a financial report and provided an overview of all KGFA activities.
Keynote speakers included Director of the Kansas Intelligence Fusion Center Dave Young and Kansas Speaker of the House of Representatives Dan Hawkins and Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson.
KGFA bestowed the Sunflower Award to Gary Gantz.
The annual meeting was adjourned at 11:34 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ronald Seeber
President and CEO Kansas Grain and Feed Association