Federal Grain Inspection Service Welcomes New Leadership in USDA Rotational Program
Left: Arthur Neal; Right: Jennifer Porter
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has announced a series of leadership rotations as part of its professional development initiative. Among the key changes, Jennifer Porter, currently the deputy administrator for the Livestock and Poultry Program, will take the helm at the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) for a one-year assignment starting in February.
Porter’s move follows AMS’s goal of fostering leadership growth and cross-agency collaboration. With a USDA tenure dating back to 2003, she brings extensive experience in market regulation and commodity oversight to her temporary role at FGIS, the agency responsible for maintaining the integrity and standardization of grain inspection and weighing services.
Meanwhile, Arthur Neal, the current deputy administrator for FGIS, will transition to serve as the chief innovation officer for AMS. Neal, a veteran in agricultural policy and grain quality assurance, has played a crucial role in shaping FGIS operations and ensuring U.S. grain exports meet global standards. His new position will focus on advancing innovative strategies within AMS programs.
AMS leadership highlighted that these temporary assignments will encourage knowledge-sharing and strengthen program management. Upon completing their rotations, both Porter and Neal will return to their respective programs, bringing fresh perspectives and enhanced expertise to their respective roles.
FGIS plays a critical role in U.S. agriculture, ensuring fair grain trade through impartial inspection and weighing services. With Porter’s leadership and Neal’s innovation-focused transition, the agency is poised to navigate evolving industry challenges and maintain its commitment to quality and efficiency.
Source: New Hope Network
Staffing Changes for AAGIWA
Photo by Jim Barcus Photo
Bob Petersen, the long-time staff executive for AAGIWA retired effective, September 1, 2024. Petersen’s firm, Petersen Consulting Services (PCS), provides staffing services to the Association. At PCS, he will be succeeded by Erica Venancio as the firm’s senior executive. New to the firm is Zachary Helder, who recently completed his MPA at Princeton University and brings a decade of experience in agriculture, public policy, and organizational management.
“I have been so fortunate to enjoy a 50-year career in agriculture working for and with some of the finest people, companies, and associations there are,” Petersen said. A Nebraska native, Petersen spent 20 years in Washington, DC at the helm of a national grain trade organization. In 2000, he and his family re-located to Kansas City where he held several prominent roles, including president of the Kansas City Board of Trade (2000-2004) and president of the American Royal (2010-2015).
Along the way, he began his own consulting firm specializing in the management of agricultural non-profit trade associations. “I am glad to leave our clients in such good hands,” Petersen said. Erica Venancio, the firm’s incoming principal, is no stranger to ag circles, either. She joined the firm, founded by her father, in 2008 and has become a very knowledgeable and capable leader. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University where she earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in social work. Venancio will assume the position of senior staff executive for the firm’s clients upon Petersen’s retirement, September 1.
Her leadership marks a new chapter for the firm, as she builds upon the strong foundation laid by Petersen. "I am excited to continue the excellent work of our firm and look forward to the future with optimism," said Venancio. "Working alongside Zach, I am confident in our ability to continue to meet our clients’ needs with an eye towards growth in the future. Bob has been an incredible mentor to me, personally and professionally, and I am deeply grateful for his guidance and support."
Zach Helder, who joins PCS effective September 1, 2024, will assume many of the outward-facing responsibilities Petersen previously held. Helder is from the Kansas City area with family roots in Nebraska and California farm country. He holds an undergraduate degree from UCLA and a graduate degree from Princeton University. Recently, he served as senior ag advisor to Kansas Congresswoman Sharice Davids. As part of Helder’s graduate work at Princeton he led a bipartisan working group of former USDA Secretaries and agribusiness leaders investigating the consequences of the Russia-Ukraine War on international trade and food security, and their findings were published in Foreign Affairs.
Recognizing Women in Grain Inspection - Kim Deal
AAGIWA would like to recognize and highlight women in the grain inspection industry who are leading the way for others. Click here to submit your nomination.
Kim Deal
We are pleased to introduce you to Kim Deal, Lead Administrative Professional, Marshall Service Point for the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Grain Inspection Services (MOGIS). Kim began her career with MOGIS 22 years ago as a part-time "grain-worker".
Erin Casey-Campbell, Program Manager, notes that "Kim is incredibly organized (with a binder for everything!)." Her organization and attention to detail was emphasized in MOGIS' latest designation audit where her team garnered an impressive 99+ percent certification accuracy rating.
David Niderjohn, MOGIS Assistant Manager and Supervisor added that "Kim is beyond generous with her time and goes above and beyond to prioritize customer service." Kim is a recipient of the Missouri Department of Agriculture's "Above and Beyond" Award, awarded to top performing employees.
Outside of work, Kim enjoys spending time with her husband, Lawrence (Pickle), her son, Kris (Big Deal), and her daughter-in-law Jess. Kim enjoys gardening and raising livestock (cattle), and is an active member of the National Wild Turkey Federation - Saline County Strutters, and Missouri State Cornhusking.
Congratulations, Kim, on all of your accomplishments! We are proud to have you as part of the grain inspection family.
Recognizing Women in Grain Inspection - Patti Hedges
AAGIWA would like to recognize and highlight women in the grain inspection industry who are leading the way for others. Click here to submit your nomination.
Patti Hedges
We are pleased to introduce you to Patti Hedges, Lab Supervisor in Plentywood, Montana, for Montana Department of Agriculture State Grain Laboratory. Patti has been with the Montana State Grain Lab for 14 years. She helped open the Plentywood lab location as a "Lab Tech/Sampler" and quickly rose through the ranks to earn her Lab Supervisor title.
Patti grew up on a farm and ranch operation and has been involved in agriculture her entire life. From a young age, Patti was always helping out on the family operation (which she says wasn't much of a choice). When she was just in high school, her father suffered an injury that caused him to become paralyzed, requiring Patti, as the elder of three sisters, to step up and fully manage the operation from a young age. While in college, she majored in Animal Science, with a minor in Economics and Education. Summers were spent back on the ranch, trying to fit "eight months of work into four months," said Patti.
Dan Reimer, Director of the Montana State Grain Lab said,“Patti Hedges is synonymous with the Plentywood State Grain Lab, and it has been that way since the location’s inception over 13 years ago. Leadership from the Department of Agriculture comes and goes but Patti has always been there serving the area’s agriculture industry. Situated in farthest corner of Northeastern Montana where the number of people measures 2.1 per square mile, it is a real blessing to have someone highly reliable like Patti whose dedication to the work is surpassed by none. Patti’s industry knowledge and reputable relationships throughout the area benefits all stake holders.”
Patti’s days start early. Along with her position at the State Grain Lab, she also runs a cattle and sheep operation with her husband. Since they both work full-time jobs for the State of Montana, the ranch work takes up their time in the early mornings, lunch, and evenings. When in Eastern Montana, you are standing in the dry pea, lentil, and chickpea capital of the country. Patti and the staff at the Plentywood Grain Lab have a huge responsibility to grade where over 72% of the nation’s lentils are grown. If you ask a farmer or grain elevator manager in Eastern Montana about Patti, they most likely have her on speed-dial.
The Montana Department of Agriculture is proud to have Patti as an integral part of the State Grain Lab and commends her dedication to agriculture, her peers, and Montana's farmers and ranchers.
Congratulations, Patti, on all of your accomplishments! We are proud to have you as part of the grain inspection family.
AAGIWA 2024 Election Results
AAGIWA members have voted to elect Ryan Kuhl, Northern Plains Grain Inspection, as Secretary/Treasurer of the Association to serve alongside President Kia Mikesh, North Dakota Grain Inspection and Vice President Brent Hibbets, Enid Grain Inspection, during the Annual Meeting on April 15 in San Antonio.
The group also elected Erin Casey-Campbell, Missouri Department of Agriculture to the Board of Directors, and re-elected Ann Foster, Hastings Grain Inspection, and Phil Garcia, Washington State Department of Agriculture to the Board. And during a caucus of the group’s associate members, Chuck Bird with Neogen was selected as the associate member representative on the Board.
President Mikesh thanked outgoing secretary/treasurer Danae Podraza, Lincoln Inspection Service, for her service on the Board.
The newly elected board members join the following incumbents on the Board.
Brandon Byrd, Champaign Danville Grain Inspection
Chad Huebner, Grain Inspection Inc. (Jamestown)
Jon Newcomer, Kansas Grain Inspection
David Ayers, Champaign Danville Grain Inspection, Past President - Ex-Officio
AAGIWA staff include Bob Petersen and Erica Venancio. The American Association of Grain Inspection & Weighing Agencies (AAGIWA) is the national association representing official grain inspection and weighing agencies. These agencies provide official inspection services to measure the quality and quantity of grain being bought and sold in the United States.
AAGIWA 2024 Photo Contest Winners
Congratulations to the winners of AAGIWA's 2024 Photo Contest!
1st place - Daniel Ayers, Sioux City Inspection - "Rails in the Rain"
2nd place - Morgan Akey, Missouri Department of Agriculture - "The Passion in Your Work"
3rd place - Photo by Sandra Fronabarger & submitted by Keith Fronabarger, Cairo Grain Inspection, "Morning Probe on the Cumberland River"
Recognizing Women in Grain Inspection: Erin (Hoesing) Stotz
AAGIWA would like to recognize and highlight women in the grain inspection industry who are leading the way for others. Click here to submit your nomination.
Erin (Hoesing) Stotz
We are pleased to introduce you to Erin (Hoesing) Stotz, Office Manager & CPA as well as Inspector for Aberdeen Grain Inspection, Inc. (AGI). Erin began her career as a 12 year old bagging sample files and completing other random tasks delegated to her by her father, Mike Hoesing (who was Official Agency Manager at the time, now Owner). She increased her contribution to part time data entry during high school and college before going full time in 2017.
Erin graduated Magna Cum Laude from Northern State University in 2011 with a Bachelors’ Degree in Professional Accountancy and Minors in Banking/Finance & Economics. After graduation she began working at the accounting firm Eide Bailly LLP and passed the CPA Exam. Erin then returned to the family business in April of 2017 and in addition to office duties, obtained her mycotoxin and corn grading licenses. As the current Office Manager, Erin is responsible for accounting, certification, billing, and HR.
Erin married Nicholas Stotz (current Operations Manager of AGI) on July 1, 2017. Erin is a busy mother of three (Kurtis 5, Zachary 3, and Eva 1) and often spends weekends entering pan tickets at home while trying to keep the kids relatively quiet and content.
Fun fact – In high school, Erin did a science project on maturing yellow soybeans (YSB). For the project, Erin picked pods off the plant and removed some of the beans from the pods and left the others in the pods for an additional week. The beans that were removed right away had high amounts of green (immature) damage. However, the beans removed from the pod a week after picking had finished maturing in the pod and had 0% damage. Many farmers showed interest in her science project because at the time they had repeated early killing frosts in September. Her project was also picked to represent her high school at a college science fair.
Erin’s hobbies include water skiing through which she has skied in regional and national tournaments with the Aberdeen Aqua Addicts Water Ski Team, reading, photographing her children and their goofy antics as well as hunting, fishing, and travelling with her family.
Recognizing Women in Grain Inspection - Chris Lunsford
AAGIWA would like to recognize and highlight women in the grain inspection industry who are leading the way for others. Click here to submit your nomination.
Chris Lunsford
We are pleased to introduce you to Chris Lunsford, Service Point Manager in Marshall, Missouri for the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Grain Inspection Services. Chris began her career as a grain inspector 25 years ago and was promoted to her current position with MDA in 2010. Her office serves a large geographic area across northeast and mid-Missouri, including many shuttle train facilities and barge customers with on-site grading labs.
Erin Casey-Campbell, Program Manager, notes that Chris has played an active role in designing and setting up all five of the Marshall territories onsite lab shuttle facilities as they were built - an effort initiated to move grain inspection employees outside/further away from the elevators to improve employee safety.
David Niederjohn, Marshall Assistant Manager, adds that Chris steps up to help the Department in various capacities outside of her normal role. One such example was when Chris served as the Parking Supervisor at the Missouri State Fair in 2022, coordinating several dozen employees and over 340,000 attendees!
Chris is an active member of the Marshall, MO Chamber of Commerce, a member of a local organization, Women Who Mean Business, and she is a recipient of the Missouri Department of Agriculture's "Above and Beyond" award as a top performing employee.
Erin and David add that Chris is an incredibly generous person in many ways -- personally and professionally. Chris enjoys the outdoors, including boating, horses, and riding side-by-sides with family. She spends Saturday nights supporting her husband Brian, and son Logun, at Micro Sprint Car races.
Congratulations, Chris, on all of your accomplishments! We are proud to have you as part of the grain inspection family.
Recognizing Women in Grain Inspection - Robyn Rogers
AAGIWA would like to recognize and highlight women in the grain inspection industry who are leading the way for others. Click here to submit your nomination.
Robyn Rogers, missouri dept. of agriculture
We are pleased to introduce you to Robyn Rogers, Lead Administrative Professional for the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Grain Inspection Services. Robyn began her career with MDA as an Office Support Assistant 10 years ago. She spent many years in the banking industry before that.
Erin Casey-Campbell, Program Manager, notes that Robyn is not only the Lead Administrative Professional at the St. Joseph, MO Grain Inspection Services office, but she is the glue that holds it all together. "She is the cheerful voice on the other end whenever you call the St. Joseph office. She is warm & friendly, and keeps the staff well fed with a variety of tasty treats for any special occasion."
Chuck Vaughn, St. Joseph Service Point Manager adds that Robyn keeps the St. Joseph service point organized – the office, staff, and even customers at times. Her organization and attention to detail was emphasized in MOGIS’s latest designation audit where the team that includes Robyn garnered an impressive 99+% certification accuracy rating. Robyn is the go-to person, even to some outside of Missouri GIS, for any container question – earning her the title “Queen of Containers”.
Outside of work, Robyn is an active member of her church and community and is a loving mother & grandmother. She is always organizing a garage sale, bake sale, or any other event needed by those she serves.
Robyn has been the recipient of several awards while at Missouri Grain Inspection, including being a recipient of the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s “Above and Beyond” award – awarded to the Top 10% of Missouri Department of Agriculture employees.
Both Erin and Chuck agree, Missouri Grain Inspection Services has been lucky to have Robyn for TEN YEARS!
Congratulations, Robyn, on all of your accomplishments! We are proud to have you as part of the grain inspection family.
Update from Eastern Iowa
Christina Pineda
On September 1, 2023, Daryl Forbes retired as Agency Manager for Eastern Iowa Grain Inspection and Weighing Service after 47 years of faithful service. On September 11, 2023, Christina Pineda was named as Daryl’s replacement.
Christina started with EIGIS in November 2011 as a sampler with no prior experience. Within six months she obtained a corn and soybean inspector’s license. Christina worked diligently along with EIGIS’ AQAS to help develop their internal Inspectorslink grading software, the barge stowage camera system, and several other internal programs that EIGIS uses daily.
On February 1, 2014, Christina was named the Office Manager for EIGIS’ Rochelle, IL location. She served in this position for a little over five years until she was promoted to Assistant Agency Manager. Christina worked alongside Mark Fulmer and Daryl Forbes to help develop a better understanding of the Agency Manager role within an Official Agency. On September 11th Christina graciously accepted her new role and looks forward to many great years with EIGIS just like her predecessors. Congratulations Christina!