The Associates Board of Directors, elected by Associate members, represents their interests in the evolution and advancement of GEAPS’ strategic plan. The Associates Board advises the International Board of Directors about the interests, needs and priorities of Associate members in supporting the development and implementation of programs and services that best serve GEAPS’ core purpose … providing forums that promote innovation and facilitate the exchange of ideas and information about grain industry operations safety, health, efficiency and environmental responsibility. The Associates board officers [President, Vice President and Secretary] also serve as International board directors. The Associates Board bylaws define the board structure. The Associates Board functions as a “standing committee” within the governance structure as defined by GEAPS’ International bylaws. To view this list as a roster with contact details, click here.
Associates Board Officers
Associates Board President
Steve Schmitt, Minneapolis
TE Ibberson Co
Mr. Schmitt is vice president of TE Ibberson Co, Hopkins, MN. He joined GEAPS in 1990 and has served in chapter and International leadership. Steve was elected in 2006 as an Associates Board director and in 2008 as an officer in succession to the office of Associates Board 2010-11 president. As Associates Board president, Steve chairs the Associates Board and membership meetings, and serves as an ex-officio member of all Associate Board committees. The Associates Board president is one of three Associate-member representatives to the GEAPS International Board of Directors and serves as a member of the Executive and Marketing Oversight Committees.
Associates Board Vice President
Gary Vaughn, Greater Iowa
Union Iron Works Inc
Mr. Vaughn is sales engineer for Union Iron Works Inc, Boone, IA. He joined GEAPS in 1984 and has served in chapter and International leadership. Gary was elected in 2006 as an Associates Board director and in 2009 as an officer in succession to the office of Associates Board 2011-12 president. At the International level for 2010-11 he also serves on the Distance Education Program Oversight Committee. As Associates Board vice president, Gary chairs the Associate Board Program Budget Committee and serves as a member of the Associates Board Director and Member Recognition Nominations Committee. The Associates Board vice president is one of three Associate-member representatives to the GEAPS International Board of Directors and also serves as a member of the Marketing Oversight Committee.
Associates Board Secretary
Deborah Good, Cornbelt
Brock Grain Sytems
Ms. Good is district sales manager for Brock Grain Systems, Milford, IN. She joined GEAPS in 1995 and has served in International leadership. Deb was elected in 2007 as an Associates Board director. For 2010-11 she serves as an Associates Board representative to the GEAPS Exchange Educational Programming Committee. As Associates Board secretary, Deb was responsible for Associates Board communication and recordkeeping. The Associates Board secretary serves as a member of its Program Budget Committee and Sponsorship Co-Chair for GEAPS Exchange. The Associates Board Secretary is also one of three Associate-member representatives to the GEAPS International Board of Directors.
Associates Board Directors
Craig Jones, Great Plains
Tramco Inc
Ex Officio (Immediate Past President)
Mr. Jones is sales engineer and project manager for Tramco Inc, Wichita, KS. He joined GEAPS in 1999 and has served in chapter and International leadership. Craig was elected in 2005 as an Associates Board director and 2007 as an officer in succession to the office of Associates Board 2009-10 president. As Associates Board past president, Craig chairs the Associates Board Director and Member Recognition Nominations Committee.
Ross Carlson, Minneapolis
Chief Agri-Industrial Div (2012)
Mr. Carlson is district manager for Chief Agri-Industrial Division, Princeton, MN. He joined GEAPS in 2002. At the International level, Ross serves as a member of the Membership Committee. Ross was elected in 2009 as an Associates Board director.
Scott E Chant, Seaway
Safe-Grain/Maxi-Tronic Inc (2012)
Mr. Chant is president of Safe-Grain/Maxi-Tronic Inc, Mason, OH. He joined GEAPS in 1982 and has served in chapter and International leadership. Scott was elected in 2006 as an Associates Board director. He previously served from 1997-2000 as an Associates Board director. At the International level for 2010-11, Scott also serves as an Associates Board representative to the GEAPS-Kansas State University Distance Education Program Oversight Committee.
John "JD" Dale, Seaway
Elevator Services & Storage Inc (2012)
Mr. Dale is vice president of operations for Elevator for Services & Storage Inc, Beaverdam, OH. He joined GEAPS in 2002 and has served in chapter leadership. John was elected in 2009 as an Associates Board director.
Gary Geist, Non-chapter
Kings Valley Industries Inc (2009)
Mr. Geist is general manager for Kings Valley Industries Inc, Madera, CA. He joined GEAPS in 1991 and has served in International leadership. Gary was elected in 2007 as an Associates Board director.
Jeany Hesse, Siouxland
Integra Plastics (2011)
Ms. Hesse is a sales representative for Integra Plastics Inc, Madison, SD. She joined GEAPS in 2003 and has served in chapter and International leadership. Jeany was elected in 2007 as an Associates Board director.
Robert Klare, Gulf South
River Consulting (2013)
Mr. Klare is senior project manager for River Consulting, Mandeville, La.. He joined GEAPS in 2002 and has served in International and chapter leadership. Bob was elected in 2010 as an Associates Board director. For 2010-2011, he also serves a member of the Chapter Resource Committee.
Cheryl Mann, Canadian Prairies
Comco (2013)
Ms. Mann is a marketing and sales representative for Comco, Saskatoon, Sask., Canada. She joined GEAPS in 2004 and has served in International leadership. Cheryl was elected in 2010 as an Associates Board director.
Tom Pruess, Kansas City
RBH Mill & Elevator Kansas City (2011)
Mr. Pruess is sales manager for RBH Mill & Elevator Kansas City, Kansas City, MO. He joined GEAPS in 1994 and has served in chapter leadership. Tom was elected in 2008 as an Associates Board director.
Kathy Reading, Cornbelt
Seeduro Equipment Co (2013)
Ms. Reading is vice president of sales and export compliance officer for Seedburo Equipment Co, Des Plaines, IL. She joined GEAPS in 1996 and has served in International leadership. Kathy was elected in 2007 as an Associates board director.
Jim T Rogers, Golden Triangle
WAM USA Inc (2011)
Mr. Rogers is sales manager for WAM Inc, Fort Worth, TX. He joined GEAPS in 1980 and has served in chapter and International leadership. Jim was elected in 2008 as an Associates Board director.
John Tuttle, Greater Iowa
Brock Grain Systems (2013)
Mr. Tuttle is district sales manager for Brock Grain Systems, Clive, Iowa. He joined GEAPS in 1998 and has served in chapter leadership as a board officer. John was elected in 2010 as an Associates Board director.
Dan A Vis, Siouxland
Hi Roller Conveyors (2011)
Mr. Vis is sales representative for Hi Roller Conveyors, Sioux Falls, SD. He joined GEAPS in 2001 and has served in chapter leadership. Dan was elected in 2008 as an Associates Board director.