Stephen L. Censky, Chief Executive Officer of the American Soybean Association (ASA), announced that Wendell Knehans has joined the Association staff as Executive Director, Grower & Industry Relations.

"Wendell comes to ASA with 21 years of marketing and management experience in the seed and agricultural chemical industry," Censky said. "His familiarity with agriculture, expertise in marketing, and knowing what kinds of programs are of interest to companies, along with his planning skills and experiences in working with both farmers and agricultural companies, will serve him well in his new role with ASA."

Knehans most recently served as U.S. Soybean Quality Trait Director for Monsanto Company, where he provided leadership to the company’s overall soybean portfolio, and was responsible for building the VISTIVETM brand of low linolenic soybeans, a trans fat solution for food companies. Prior to that, he was Director, Seed Business, for United Agri Products, and before that, he was Director of Licensing Strategy & Trait Business Lead, and Director of Marketing for Corn States Hybrid Service, LLC.

"Wendell will be responsible for leading our staff and organization in the communications, industry relations, marketing, and membership areas," Censky said. "He will maintain and develop strategic alliances with agribusiness and allied industries to strengthen relations for mutual benefit, serve as ASA’s top manager and liaison for Commodity Classic, and provide direction to meet the objectives of ASA’s Agribusiness Council and political action campaign, SoyPAC."

Knehans grew up on a farm in western Missouri, has a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Missouri, and a Master’s degree in Marketing from Webster University. He resides in St. Louis with his wife and children.

Wendell Knehans (ASA photo)