Stephen L. Censky, Chief Executive Officer of the American Soybean Association (ASA), announced that William S. (Bill) Schuermann has joined the Association staff as Executive Director, Member & Industry Relations.

"ASA is very pleased to welcome Bill to the ASA senior management team," Censky said. "Bill has spent his career in the agribusiness sector and comes to ASA with strong marketing and management experience. His familiarity with agriculture, expertise in sales and marketing, and knowing what kinds of programs are of interest to both farmers and companies will serve him well in his new role with ASA."

Schuermann most recently served as Group Publisher-Fruit and Vegetable Group for Meister Media Worldwide in Willoughby, Ohio, where he was responsible for three of the company’s specialty ag publications. Many in the agribusiness industry may know Bill best for his work at Doane, LLC, based in Saint Louis, where he was Senior Vice President, Economic Advisory and Information Services, and Publisher and Editorial Director for Agri Marketing magazine. He has had additional sales and marketing management experience with Ball Seed Company and DeKalb-Pfizer Genetics.

"Bill 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, serve as ASA’s top manager and liaison for Commodity Classic, and provide direction to meet the objectives of ASA’s Agribusiness Council."

"The successful history of the ASA in increasing market opportunities and value for the U.S. soybean industry and its growers was a strong attraction for me to join the organization," stated Schuermann. "I feel privileged to participate in this mission."

Schuermann has a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics, from Iowa State University, and a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics/Agribusiness Management, from The Ohio State University. He and his wife, Gail, reside in Carlyle, Ill., and have two married sons and two grandsons.

William S. (Bill) Schuermann