The Board of Directors of the American Soybean Association (ASA) has confirmed Dwain Ford of Kinmundy, Ill., as President, and Bart Ruth from Rising City, Neb., as Chairman. Board members also elected Ron Heck, from Perry, Iowa, to serve as First Vice President, an office that places Heck in line to be ASA President next year. Also elected were Corwin Fee from Knoxville, Iowa, as Secretary, and Rick Ostlie from Northwood, N.D., as Treasurer. Four Vice Presidents were elected: Neal Bredehoeft, from Alma, Mo.; Doug Hartz from Stuttgart, Ark.; Greg Leonard from Afton, Okla.; and Bob Metz, from Browns Valley, Minn. These soybean producer-leaders form the nine-member ASA Executive Committee. Elections were held during ASA’s summer Board of Director’s meeting.

"Soybeans represent a major business opportunity for U.S. farmers," said new ASA President, Dwain Ford. "Thanks to the efforts of ASA and state affiliates, the Farm Bill now treats soybeans as a program crop, and it includes, for the first time, an energy title, which will help expand consumption of soybean oil in biodiesel fuel. As ASA president, I will work to increase opportunities for U.S. soybean producer profitability."

New First Vice President Ron Heck said, "There are many challenges ahead for improving the competitiveness of U.S. soybeans. My priorities include passage of Trade Promotion Authority, the inclusion of biodiesel in the Energy Bill, and appropriations for modernizing locks and dams along the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers."

Following the elections, committee assignments were announced. The Public Affairs Committee Chairman is Ron Heck. Committee members are Ken Bee (Canada), Dan Beenken (IA), Neal Bredehoeft (MO), Darryl Brinkmann (IL), Marc Curtis (MS), Pete Crawford (MI), Johnny Dodson (TN), Roger Hadley (IN), Brian Hanson (MN), Doug Hartz (AR), John Hoffman (IA), Joe Layton (Mid-Atlantic), Barb Overlie (MN), Rick Ostlie (ND), Bart Ruth (NE), Ward Shaw (NC), and Carl Weets (TX).

Corwin Fee was appointed Chairman of the Trade Policy & International Affairs Committee. Asia Sub-Chair is Gary Langel (IA), and Vice Chair is Bob Rikli (NE), with committee members Ron Gibson (MO), Dennis Jaeger (SD), Brad Mathson (WI), and Bill Wiley (KS). Western World and Middle East Sub-Chair is Gary Joachim (MN), and Vice Chair is David Hand (OH), with committee members Dennis Friest (IA), Glen Janssen (IA), Bob Metz (SD), and Charles Skalsky (VA).

The Membership Services & Corporate Relations committee Chairman is Greg Leonard (OK), with Tony Anderson (OH), Lorraine Birschbach (WI), Charles Cannatella (LA), John Cooper (AR), Roger Dale (MN), Randy DeSutter (IL.), M.D. Floyd (SC), Bill Foell (IA), Jim Long (KY), Joseph Mills (AL), Curt Sindergard (IA), and Bart Waller (GA/FL) serving as committee members.

Rick Ostlie was appointed Chairman of the Finance Committee, with Tony Anderson (OH), Neal Bredehoeft (MO), M.D. Floyd (SC) Dennis Friest (IA), Doug Hartz (AR), Joe Layton (M-A), and Bob Metz (SD) serving as committee members.

The Board welcomed six new members who are Charles Cannatella (LA), Curt Sindergard (IA), Dan Beenken (IA), John Hoffman (IA), Joe Layton (M-A), and Barb Overlie (MN). ASA also recognized retiring Directors Lavance Herring (LA), Scott Fritz (IN) and Herb Smith (MI) for their years of service.