Farmer-leaders of the United Soybean Board (USB) elected Steve Reinhard from Ohio as the 2024 chair and 10 additional farmer-leaders to serve on the Executive Committee during the USB December meeting in St. Charles, Missouri, including Martin County grower Lawrence Sukalski.
“It’s a honor to be elected to the Executive Committee by your peers,” said Sukalski, who lead USB’s priority area of infrastructure and connectivity. “We are all eager to get to work on projects for the year ahead!”
The newly elected USB Executive Committee includes:
- Steve Reinhard, Chair – Ohio
- Ed Lammers, Vice Chair – Nebraska
- Philip Good, Secretary – Mississippi
- Brent Gatton, Treasurer – Kentucky
- April Hemmes – Iowa
- Matt Gast – North Dakota
- Gary Berg – Illinois
- Don Wyss – Indiana
- Susan Watkins – Virginia
- Lawrence Sukalski – Minnesota
- Meagan Kaiser, Past Chair (Ex Officio) – Missouri
Reinhard brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership. He has previously held positions as treasurer and vice chair, overseeing the value alignment committee responsible for charting the strategic direction of annual checkoff investments. Additionally, he served as a former chairman of the Ohio Soybean Council.
“I’m honored and excited to take on the role of USB’s new board chair,” said Steve Reinhard, the 2024 USB chair and Ohio farmer. “Together with the dedicated team and the support of our farmers, I look forward to continuing our commitment to sustainability and innovation in the soy industry. We’ll focus on driving positive change, leveraging research and investments to meet consumer demands, and furthering the success of American soybean farmers.”
Sukalski, who began farming in 1977, and his wife, Diane, are fifth generation farmers in Martin County where they grow corn and soybeans with the help of Lawrence’s brother, Harlan. Also helping out on the farm are their children Jacob, Andrew, Kristina, Michael and Suzy. Sukalski has represented Minnesota on USB for six years and is a member of USB’s value alignment committee. He’s also a director with the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association.
Joining Sukalski on USB are Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council Directors Patrick O’Leary and Gene Stoel, along with Chair Tom Frisch, who will serve as group lead of USB’s Demand Work Group.
