Al Ambrose photo courtesy of CHS

He’s dedicated 40 years to agriculture and now Al Ambrose is being recognized for a lifetime of achievement.  The National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) recently granted special associate member status to Al Ambrose, CHS vice president, risk management, Processing and Food Ingredients, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., making him one of just two people to ever earn this distinction.

“Al Ambrose has worked tirelessly for the betterment of the U.S. soybean industry for over 30 years,” said Thomas Hammer, president, NOPA, Washington, DC.  “Through his vision and commitment, soybean growers and processors now work collaboratively on issues like biotechnology, international trade, livestock and poultry, global climate change legislation, food/feed safety legislation, railroad reform legislation and other issues critical to the soybean industry.”

The NOPA recognition is the second prestigious industry accolade bestowed upon Ambrose.  In 2010, the American Soybean Association (ASA) presented him with its Lifetime Achievement Award. No one else in the industry has received both ASA and NOPA honors and distinction.

The special NOPA member status will allow Ambrose to remain involved in the organization after his June 4 retirement from CHS following 33 years of service.  He joined CHS as a senior corn merchandiser, and held numerous oilseed business management and leadership positions. Prior to joining CHS, Ambrose held grain and barge freight trader positions with Central Soya Co. Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind., and Continental Grain, Minneapolis.  He earned a degree in Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Ambrose has been involved with NOPA for over 30 years; serving in a number of key leadership positions, including 17 years on the Board of Directors, and three years as board chairman.

He was also instrumental in forming and organizing the American Oilseed Association (AOC), a collaborative effort between NOPA, the American Soybean Association, the National Cottonseed Association, and The National Sunflower Association.  The AOC focused on providing key policymakers in Congress and government agencies with a unified voice on policy matters affecting the U.S. oilseed industry.

But, Hammer said, colleagues around the world who know Ambrose best will likely remember him for his staunch devotion to the free-market system being the “best formula for global prosperity.” His speeches and presentations on the virtues of capitalism, competition and the comparative advantages of trade are legendary.

“Al’s message was, ‘trade creates jobs, which creates disposable income, which creates global food demand, and record U.S. farm income’,” said Hammer. “His drumbeat has, and always will be, that soybean growers and processors must work together with a unified voice.”

“Al’s contributions to CHS and to the industry are certainly remarkable,” said Gary Anderson, CHS senior vice president, Processing and Food Ingredients. “He developed many relationships over the years with colleagues around the world, and he was a positive force within our businesses.”

Courtesy of CHS