Gunnar Lynum

The American Soybean Association recognized Gunnar Lynum, president and CEO, SMD Products Company Inc., with its top honor during an awards ceremony at the Commodity Classic trade show in Denver.

The Pinnacle Award is an industrywide recognition of a lifetime of work that demonstrates the highest level of contribution and leadership within the soybean family and industry.

For nearly six decades, Gunnar has worked in various commercialization and market development capacities that have elevated the soybean industry and benefitted soybean farmers.

Gunnar started in research and development at Swift and Company, where his food development projects included soy food products for space travel. He went on to be director of market development for all Swift products.

In 1982, ASA hired Gunnar as its Japan country director to bring his market-minded approach to expanding U.S. soybean exports to the country. To address the cost and quality concerns of Japanese importers, Gunnar implemented the game-changing approach of shipping direct from U.S. farms to customers in Japan. This quality and cost success was the beginning of a movement to export containerized food-grade soybeans.

After five years in Japan, Gunnar transferred to the ASA office in St. Louis to become vice president of domestic marketing and membership. In this role, he worked with the state soybean organizations on market development for soy-based products, including branding for soy ink and introducing the SoySeal certification.

In 1991, Gunnar founded Strategic Market Development, a consulting firm, and worked with states to continue discovering new uses for soybeans and their biproducts. Gunnar eventually established SMD Products Company, where he has had great success developing new uses for bio-lubricants.

Gunnar’s lifetime of work growing markets for U.S. soybeans will benefit farmers for generations to come.

ASA congratulates Gunnar Lynum on his lifetime achievements and this prestigious award!