International Officers 2011-2012
President
Mark Fedje, Minneapolis
General Mills Inc
Mr. Fedje is operations superintendent for General Mills Inc, Minneapolis, MN. He joined GEAPS in 1988 and has served in chapter and International leadership. Mark was elected in 2007 as an International Board director and in 2009 as second vice president in succession to the office of 2011-12 president. As International president, Mark chairs the Executive Committee, which develops GEAPS’ governance and operations policies and oversees financial and operations management services. The president also serves as a member of the Marketing Oversight Committee and as an ex-officio member of all other International Committees. For 2012-13, Mark serves as International Board chair. At the International level, he also served as a member of the Membership Committee.
First Vice President
Bill Lyster, Greater Iowa
Ag Partners LLC
Mr. Lyster is special projects manager for Ag Partners, LLC, Calumet, IA. He joined GEAPS in 1976 and has served in chapter and International leadership. Bill was elected in 2007 as an International Board director and in 2010 as second vice president in succession to the office of 2012-13 president. As International first vice president, Bill serves as a member of the Executive and Marketing Oversight Committees and GEAPS’ elected-executive-officer representative to the Kansas State University Grain Science and Industry Advisory Board. For 2012-13, he serves as International president. At the International level, he served on the International Board Nominations Committee.
Second Vice President
Slawomir “Slav” Waplak, Canadian Prairies
Viterra Inc
Mr. Waplak is project manager for Viterra Inc, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. Slav joined GEAPS in 1999 and has served in chapter and International leadership. He was appointed in 2008 to the office of International third vice president. Slav was elected in 2007 as an International Board director and in 2011 as second vice president in succession to the office of 2013-14 president. As International second vice president, Slav serves as a member of the Executive Committee and as Sponsorship co-chair for GEAPS Exchange 2012. At the International level, Slav also serves on the International Board Nominations Committee. For 2012-13, Slav serves as International first vice president.
Third Vice President
Jim McKerchar, Canadian Prairies
Parrish & Heimbecker Ltd
Mr. McKerchar is general superintendent for Parrish & Haimbecker Ltd, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. Jim joined GEAPS in 2001 and was appointed in 2011 to the office of International third vice president. Jim is the International Board’s designated representative for GEAPS’ Canadian members and chapter interests.
Executive Vice President & Secretary
David J Krejci, GEAPS staff
The Harrington Company
Mr. Krejci is a senior account executive for The Harrington Company, Minneapolis, MN. David was named GEAPS executive vice president and International secretary in 1987. David joined the GEAPS staff team in 1982 as director of technical services. As executive vice president, David is GEAPS’ chief staff officer and served as a non-voting member of the International Board of Directors, Executive and Nominations Committees. He is also the staff liaison to the Associates Board of Directors. David also serves as GEAPS staff executive representative to the Kansas State University Grain Science and Industry Advisory Board.
Treasurer
Bill Merritt, Minneapolis
Gneral Mills Inc
Mr. Merritt is director of grain operations and finance for General Mills Inc, Minneapolis, MN. He joined GEAPS in 2007. Bill was elected in 2010 as an International Board director and was appointed in 2011 to the office of International treasurer. As treasurer, Bill leads the International Board’s stewardship of GEAPS’ financial resources and Executive Committee development and oversight of funding strategies for member programs, services and general operations. Bill also serves as a member of the Marketing Oversight Committee.
Board Chair
Rick J. Krier, Siouxland
Western Iowa Cooperative
Mr. Krier is location manager and safety director for Western Iowa Cooperative, Hornick, IA. He joined GEAPS in 1998 and has served in chapter and International leadership. Rick was elected in 2005 as an International Board director and in 2008 as second vice president in succession to the office of president. As International Board chair for 2011-12, Rick leads GEAPS’ strategic plan review, development and implementation oversight. He also chairs the Marketing Oversight Committee and Nominations Committee for the International Board 2012 election, and serves as a member of the Executive Committee. At the International level, he also serves as a member of the Membership Committee. At the chapter level, he serves as a director of the Siouxland Chapter.