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. Check your email inbox for voting instructions, video testimonials from candidates, and a link to an online ballot.
There are 10 candidates running to serve on GEAPS International Board of Directors. Those 10 are vying for five available positions. Members will elect one second vice president, and four board directors. Of the board directors, three will be Regular members and one will be an Associate or Affiliate member. Lifetime and Student members are not eligible to vote or serve on the board.
As a GEAPS member, this is your opportunity to participate in the election process and help build an even stronger leadership team representing our community of grain professionals. The deadline to vote is Friday, 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, please send an email to communications@geaps.com and we’ll make sure you’re able to vote.
Intl Second Vice President (vote for one)
Matthew Schmitt
Keen Project Solutions, North Iowa • Member since 2014
Matthew Schmitt, CGOM, CGPM, GHEM, PE, SE, P.ENG. is the Structural Team Lead for Keen Project Solutions LLC, Ankeny, Iowa. Keen offers design, build, and EPC solutions to the industry across North America. A GEAPS member since 2014, past president of the Greater Iowa Chapter, past chair of the Membership Committee, and past GEAPS Associates Board of Directors. He is the president of the GEAPS North Iowa Chapter. He serves on the International Board of Directors, and the International Executive Committee and since 2021 has been the International Secretary. He has earned several GEAPS Credentials and is passionate about chapters and education.
Matthew Schmitt
Keen Project Solutions, North Iowa • Member since 2014
Jeff Trudell
Bulk Conveyors, Inc. (BCI), Michigan/So. Ontario • Member since 2011
Jeff Trudell is a Processing Sales Rep with Bulk Conveyors, Inc. (BCI). A GEAPS member since 2011, he is the president and treasurer of the MSO Chapter. He also serves GEAPS on the Education & Training Committee, Exchange Educational Programming Committee, Exchange Futures Committee, and is the co-chair of the GEAPS Great Lakes Regional Conference. He is also President of the Frankenmuth Lions Club and serves on his township board. A graduate of Michigan State University, he resides in Frankenmuth, Michigan with his wife Michelle and three sons.
Jeff Trudell
Bulk Conveyors, Inc. (BCI), Michigan/So. Ontario • Member since 2011
Intl Board Directors – Regular members (vote for three)
Adam Geers
Michigan Agricultural Commodities (MAC), Michigan/So. 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. A GEAPS member since 2006, 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/So. Ontario • Member since 2006
Jacob Long
Bartlett, Kansas City • Member since 2014
Jake Long is AVP of Projects and Mexico Operations at Bartlett in Kansas City, Missouri. He has been a GEAPS member since 2014. In his current role, he leads capital projects, engineering strategy, and operational improvements that enhance safety, efficiency, and long-term facility performance. With a background spanning safety leadership, operations, large-scale project execution, and infrastructure systems, Jake is committed to advancing innovation and strengthening the global grain community through practical, results-driven leadership and active industry engagement.
Jacob Long
Bartlett, Kansas City • Member since 2014
Ryan Slama
CHS, Inc., Minneapolis • Member since 2016
Ryan Slama is a Specialist, Construction Project Management Expert at CHS in Mankato, MN. He supports engineering teams and leads capital improvement projects across CHS Ag Processing facilities throughout the United States. A GEAPS member since 2016, Ryan brings a unique dual perspective to the industry, having spent 12 years as a supplier in industrial metal fabrication before transitioning to CHS in 2023. His background across both supplier and owner-operator environments gives him a well-rounded understanding of the challenges and opportunities within grain handling, processing, and facility operations.
Ryan Slama
CHS, Inc., Minneapolis • Member since 2016
Scott Steinke
The Andersons, Inc. , Michigan/So. Ontario • Member since 2011
Scott Steinke is the Director of Operations for The Andersons, Inc. In his role he is responsible for developing and implementing operations strategy for The Andersons’ grain elevators, including safety policies, labor plans, capital spending and employee development. He has been a GEAPS member since 2011 and with The Andersons for 15 years, where he has spent various roles in engineering and operations leadership. A native of Southeast Michigan, Scott has spent time working for The Andersons in Wisconsin and Iowa, before moving back to Michigan where he works out of the Andersons Corporate Office in Maumee, Ohio. Prior to joining The Andersons, Scott spent 10 years working as a manufacturing engineer for Johnson Controls.
Scott Steinke
The Andersons, Inc. , Michigan/So. Ontario • Member since 2011
Tom Rodman
TEMCO, LLC – Kalama, Columbia River • Member since 1998
Tom Rodman is the Plant Manager for TEMCO’s Kalama Export Terminal, a 50/50 joint venture between Cargill and CHS. As a GEAPS member since 1998, he brings more than 25 years of grain handling and export operations leadership. He oversees all operations, EH&S, maintenance and reliability, logistics, and labor relations for one of the highestvolume grain facilities in North America. His career includes leading major capital projects, modernizing safety and reliability systems, and building strong operational and supervisory teams. Tom has been an active GEAPS leader for over a decade, including 13 years on the Educational Programming Committee—serving three terms as Chair—and three terms as President of the CLR Chapter. His work focuses on building industry education, strengthening member engagement, and developing future grain industry leaders. He is committed to supporting GEAPS’ mission by bringing practical operational insight, safety leadership, and a strong dedication to industry education and professional development.
Tom Rodman
TEMCO, LLC – Kalama, Columbia River • Member since 1998
Board Director – Associate (vote for one)
Julio Contreras
Behlen Grain Systems, Seaway • Member since 2019
Julio Contreras serves as the Vice President of Sales Sweet Material Handling and Behlen Grain Systems, where he leads commercial strategy and customer engagement across the company’s global material handling and engineered solutions portfolio. He has been a GEAPS member since 2019. With over 25 years of experience in the feed mill and industrial sectors, Julio brings deep domain expertise in material handling equipment, spanning everything from small-scale farm applications to some of the world’s largest industrial installations. Whether working with a family-owned feed operation or a multinational manufacturer, Julio is passionate about delivering long-term value and building lasting relationships that help customers succeed.
Julio Contreras
Behlen Grain Systems, Seaway • Member since 2019
Brent Hansen
Sukup Manufacturing Company, Greater Iowa • Member since 2015
Brent Hansen serves as Commercial Accounts Manager at Sukup Manufacturing Company in Sheffield, Iowa. An active member of GEAPS since 2015, he has held leadership roles as President of the North Iowa Chapter and currently as President of the Greater Iowa Chapter. Brent partners with commercial grain and grain processing operations to deliver strategic solutions in grain drying, handling, and storage. He is committed to fostering strong industry relationships and helping facilities enhance operational efficiency, performance, and long-term success.
Brent Hansen
Sukup Manufacturing Company, Greater Iowa • Member since 2015
Jeff Trudell
Bulk Conveyors, Inc. (BCI), Michigan/So. Ontario • Member since 2011
Jeff Trudell is a Processing Sales Rep with Bulk Conveyors, Inc. (BCI). A GEAPS member since 2011, he is the president and treasurer of the MSO Chapter. He also serves GEAPS on the Education & Training Committee, Exchange Educational Programming Committee, Exchange Futures Committee, and is the co-chair of the GEAPS Great Lakes Regional Conference. He is also President of the Frankenmuth Lions Club and serves on his township board. A graduate of Michigan State University, he resides in Frankenmuth, Michigan with his wife Michelle and three sons.
Jeff Trudell
Bulk Conveyors, Inc. (BCI), Michigan/So. Ontario • Member since 2011
Dale Vinsand
West Side Salvage Company, LLC, Greater Iowa • Member since 2006
Dale Vinsand serves as the COO at West Side Salvage in Atkins, IA. A GEAPS member since 2006, he currently serves on the GEAPS Membership Committee. In the past, Dale has been a member of the Educational Programming Committee where he served as the coordinator of the “What’s New” program for multiple GEAPS Exchanges. Dale lives in Humboldt, IA with his wife Gena and two daughters, Adelyn and Tatum. Dale has worked in the agricultural industry since 2000 and has served in various roles in feed milling along with grain facility management and design.
Dale Vinsand
West Side Salvage Company, LLC, Greater Iowa • Member since 2006