AAGIWA Governance Updates

New AAGIWA Leadership

This year has been full of changes and transitions - some expected, and others not. AAGIWA continues to move forward and adapt to our changing circumstances. 

Following the passing of AAGIWA President Tom Dahl earlier this year, Tom Meyer, Kansas Grain Inspection Service assumed the role of president, following guidelines set forth in the association bylaws. 

However, after 45 years in the grain inspection business, Tom Meyer officially retired from Kansas Grain Inspection Service earlier this month. Upon his retirement, AAGIWA Vice President Brent Hibbets, Enid Grain Inspection, assumed the role of President. In that new capacity, President Hibbets appointed as Vice President, Kia Mikesh, North Dakota Grain Inspection. 

Mikesh's appointment to Vice President created an open seat on the Board of Directors, which will be filled by Annabet Foster, Hastings Grain Inspection. Foster will serve the balance of term which expires at the 2022 annual meeting.

Best Wishes Tom Meyer!

If you have been around the grain inspection industry for any length of time, you have no doubt intersected with Tom Meyer at some point. Tom first joined the Kansas Gain Inspection Service as a sampler in their Belleville office in 1975, and from there moved up the ranks to inspector, assistant director, and then Vice President and finally President in 2000. He has been involved with AAGIWA nearly as long, serving many years on the association's board of directors, including two separate stints as President and Vice President.

Over the years, Tom has given much of his time to serve on the Federal Grain Inspection Service Advisory Committee, Federal Research Coordinating Team and the Federal Sorghum Odor Task Force. 

Tom’s leadership over the years at the Kansas Grain Inspection Service has been exemplary. He has always demonstrated an appreciation of the value of the partnership between KGIS and the grain industry as a whole.

He promises not to be a stranger, but we will miss his regular participation and guidance. Best wishes on a wonderful retirement, Tom!