Cast Your Ballot to Elect New Leaders
It is time to elect leaders for GEAPS’ International Board of Directors. Voting is open April 15 through May 15. The ballot with voting instructions, video testimonials from candidates and a link to an online ballot arrive via email.
There are 16 candidates running to serve on GEAPS International Board of Directors. Those 16 are vying for five available positions. Members will elect one first vice president, one second vice president and three board directors. Of those, two will be Regular members; one will be an Associate or Affiliate member. Lifetime and Student members are not eligible to vote or serve on the board.
This election is your opportunity as a GEAPS member to participate in the election process and help build an even stronger grain association.
The deadline to vote is Wednesday, May 15. Elected leaders will begin to serve in July.
Questions on how to vote?
The email with the online ballot was sent April 15. If you’ve noticed you’re not receiving GEAPS emails or if you have unsubscribed to our communications, simply send an email to communications@geaps.com and we’ll make sure you’re able to vote.
First Vice President
Robert Horvat
Cargill, Minneapolis • Member since 2010
Bob is a Regional Technology Lead/Engineer for Cargill based out of Minneapolis. He has a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering and is a registered professional engineer in Minnesota. A GEAPS member since 2009, past President of the Minneapolis Chapter, sits on the Membership Committee, International Board of Directors, International Executive Committee, and since 2019 has been the International Treasurer.
“GEAPS connects the grain industry and establishing those connections has benefited my career very much. I enjoy this industry and it has been an honor to be part of the International Board. I am seeking the 1st VP seat. This is an exciting time at GEAPS as we on-board a new Executive Director, welcome our first Associate Member as International President, and continue our Strategic Planning.”
Robert Horvat
Cargill, Minneapolis • Member since 2010
Second Vice President
Alex Westlind
The Weitz Company, Minneapolis • Member since 2007
Alex Westlind has been an active Associate GEAPS member for 16+ years out of the Minneapolis Chapter and had the privilege to serve in leadership positions for the Minneapolis chapter (2ndVP- Chair) in the 2010s, the Associates Board of Directors and presently the International Board of Directors. It has been a fun challenge and incredible opportunity to provide support to GEAPS on the strategic planning Committee, Finance Committee and Exchange Futures Committee, especially while facing the difficulties of the COVID era. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my wife Natalie, and children Jazmin and Theodore.
Alex Westlind
The Weitz Company, Minneapolis • Member since 2007
Board Director- Regular
Sarah Fakhari
CHS, Minneapolis • Member since 2017
Sarah Fakhari is the Director of Global Capital Strategy (Ag Business) at CHS Inc. – a Fortune 100 company and the largest farmer-owned cooperative in the USA. She began her career in agriculture when she started with CHS in 2017 as the director of terminal operations, and has spent more than 15 years of her career working in some of the world’s busiest ports and with a variety of commodities including oil, gas, chemicals, coal, coke, fertilizer, grain, etc. Fakhari has a BBA from the University of Toledo (Ohio, USA) and an MBA from GISMA Business School (Hannover, Germany).
Sarah Fakhari
CHS, Minneapolis • Member since 2017
Sean Farrell
The DeLong Company, Great River • Member since 2016
Sean Farrell is the project manager for The DeLong Co., Inc. Farrell joined The DeLong Co., Inc. in 2014, after spending the first part of his career at another commercial grain elevator. He is responsible for the development of capital projects, including greenfield projects and facility expansions, for the export and grain divisions of the company. He also serves on The DeLong Co., Inc. safety board and manages the company’s CMMS software for maintenance and safety. He holds a B.S. in agribusiness economics from Southern IL University-Carbondale and a master’s degree in project management from Keller Business School.
Sean Farrell
The DeLong Co., Inc., Great River • Member since 2016
Adam Geers
Michigan Agricultural Commodities (MAC), Michigan/South Ontario • Member since 2006
Adam Geers is the Vice president of Operations for Michigan Agricultural Commodities (MAC) which is the largest grain handler in Michigan. Adam has spent his entire professional career working for MAC, which was founded by his grandfather in 1976. Adam began working for MAC as an intern in 2003 and has served in several roles during his career, including Grain Operations, Merchandising and Facility Management. In his current leadership role, he strives to maintain the family environment and values that the company was founded on.
Adam Geers
Michigan Agricultural Commodities (MAC), Michigan/South Ontario • Member since 2006
Danny Lien
Oxbow Crush, Gulf South • Member since 2023
Danny Lien started his career in soybean processing in early 2007. He is the plant manager at Oxbow Crush in Greenwood, MS. He has been a member of IOMSA since 2017 and an NFPA 36 Technical Committee member since 2017. “GEAPS is a great organization, and I would be honored to serve on the Board of Directors. I feel that I can bring my processing knowledge to be a resource to members of GEAPS. I have worked for three different grain processing companies and understand how grain processing is done in different climates. I can bring different problem-solving solutions to the group that members can share with colleagues.”
Danny Lien
Oxbow Crush, Gulf South • Member since 2023
Cadrien Livingston
Viterra, Mid-America • Member since 2023
Cadrien Livingston is a regional safety manager for Viterra. She currently manages 20 locations for safety support in her Midwest region. She’s been with Viterra for over a year now, but before this role, worked as a risk control consultant for an insurance brokerage. There, she had over 116 clients, half in the agricultural industry. Cadrien has a personal story tying her to safety in the grain industry and appreciates that she can work with hard-working individuals who put their lives at risk every day to work in an industry that ranks among the most hazardous.
Cadrien Livingston
Viterra, Mid-America • Member since 2023
Board Director – Associate
Mark Barrus
Highland Rail Services, Great Plains • Member since 2018
Mark Barrus has offered his expertise in rail maintenance and construction since 2008. Most recently as the founding member of Heartland Rail Services, a Topeka, Kansas based company. HRS focuses on servicing all industrial rail sidings in the Midwest to build and maintain a safe rail environment.
Since 2009, Mark has been an active member of the Great Plains Chapter of GEAPS. He understands the importance of networking, training, education and the other benefits that GEAPS offers and looks forward to helping the next generation gain as much as they can from the GEAPS organization.
Mark Barrus
Highland Rail Services, Great Plains • Member since 2018
Brad Droegmiller
Dodge Industrial, Siouxland • Member since 2016
Brad Droegmiller is a Sr. Territory Manager for Dodge Industrial, Simpsonville, SC. He resides in Okoboji, IA and has been a GEAPS member since 2016. Brad is an Iowa native who grew up on a farm in Northwest Iowa. He has over 31 years of experience in bulk material handling and mechanical power transmission. Brad has served on various engineering/sales committees and was an instructor for Dodge’s Advanced Conveyor Training Program. His past/present professional affiliations include AED, CEMA, GEAPS, NSSGA and SME. Brad has spoken at the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Exchanges and serves on the Exchange Educational Programming Committee.
Brad Droegmiller
Dodge Industrial, Siouxland • Member since 2016
Gil Garcia
4B Components, Hoosier • Member since 2009
Gil Garcia is the Senior Territory Sales Manager – Electronics Division of 4B Limited. Garcia is an active 15-year member of GEAPS and has served in the following positions Chapter President, Chapter Director, Chapter Resources Committee, Exchange Futures Committee.
The grain industry is not just a profession for me; it’s a vital component of our agricultural landscape that sustains communities and economies.
An alumnus of Saddle Back College in Mission Viejo, California. He resides in the Indianapolis suburb of Greenfield, Indiana. He enjoys woodworking, firearms, and motorcycle riding, serving as the Elks Drug Awareness Chairman, community service and volunteer work.
Gil Garcia
4B Components, Hoosier • Member since 2009
Ben Harl
Degesch America, Mid-Atlantic • Member since 2021
Ben Harl is a pest control professional with 20 years’ experience in the field. He is registered through the Entomological Society of America as an Associate Certified Entomologist and is licensed for pest control and fumigation in several states.
Harl has been a member of the Mid-Atlantic region of GEAPS since 2021. He has been an active partner with many GEAPS members throughout his career and has exhibited at the GEAPS Exchange for several years, both with his current organization as well as with prior employers.
Ben Harl
Degesch America, Mid-Atlantic • Member since 2021
Alex Luce
Ecolab, Columbia River • Member since 2019
Alex Luce is a Business Development Manager for Ecolab Specialty Pest Services. A GEAPS member since 2019. Alex was elected as the Columbia River Chapter Vice President in 2023. He enjoys all GEAPS membership has to offer.
“It has truly been a privilege to be a part of such an amazing group of people. GEAPS has contributed much to my success with creating opportunities to network with people I would have otherwise not been able to meet or partner with in this industry. The people in this organization make my job fun, and something I hope I can do for a longtime.”
Alex Luce
Ecolab, Columbia River • Member since 2019
Andrew Merkins
Gracon, Minneapolis • Member since 2016
Andrew Merkins is a business development manager for Gracon. He is a member of GEAPS’ Minneapolis chapter and is chair of GEAPS’ Exchange Educational Programming Committee (EPC). He said he is seeking a position on GEAPS International Board of Directors since he is involved with all parts of GEAPS as a contractor. Since starting in GEAPS, Merkins said he has been a voice for all Associates. He hopes his vision of GEAPS always growing will be shown being on the board.
Andrew Merkins
Gracon, Minneapolis • Member since 2016
Perry Nettles
Ecolab, Mid-South • Member since 2011
Perry Nettles is the director of sales for Ecolab Specialty Pest Services fumigation division. Nettles has served in the Mid-South GEAPS chapter for close to 20 years and has served on the Chapter Resource Committee. He is a regular speaker at GEAPS Exchange as well as local GEAPS chapter events. His agrarian career began as a kid on his grandparents’ rice and soybean farm in Arkansas. He then spent time at Post Cereals and Quaker Oats, managing pest elimination strategies for both companies before becoming a fumigator almost 20 years ago.
Perry Nettles
Ecolab, Mid-South • Member since 2011
Ruchi Ryley
Hi-Tech Installations, Ltd, Canadian Prairies • Member since 2011
Ruchi Ryley has close to 25 years’ experience in North American Grain Industry. She is vice-president, Sales & Strategy, Hi Tech Installations; Vice-President Canadian Prairies Chapter; Member Chapter Resource and GEAPS’ Membership Committees. Ruchi worked over 20 years in Canada and US within OHS, sits on CSA committee, has lived on 3 continents, and travelled over 20 countries.
“We live in a grain-rich continent and contribute significantly to world economy. GEAPS has given voice to grain professionals. I am proud to be a member, to have served and hope to continue serving, to advance our interests nationally & internationally.”
Ruchi Ryley
Hi-Tech Installations, Ltd, Canadian Prairies • Member since 2011
Todd Spinner
AGI, Minneapolis • Member since 2021
Todd Spinner is a Commercial Sales Manager for AGI (Ag Growth International) based out of SE- Minnesota. I recently spent 10 years on the IAOM Board of Directors for the Flour City District. As a team, we accomplished new networking events, new membership drives, to help grow the association, while in the pursuit of increasing our worldwide presence. Having this experience will help me work with the GEAPS Organization as it charges into the future. I have also been involved in the local GEAPS chapter and continue to work to make our meetings and function successful and meaningful. I look forward to serving on the GEAPS International Board of Directors and contribute to its continued success.
Todd Spinner
AGI, Minneapolis • Member since 2021