Portland, OR (DECEMBER 2022) —Columbia Grain International (CGI), a global leader in the origination, processing, logistics, and distribution of high-quality bulk grains, pulses, edible beans, oilseeds and organics for the northern tier of the United States, is pleased to announce the appointment of Andres Cardena as Chief Financial Officer. Cardena will lead the company in financial management and oversee management information systems and analytical services to optimize leadership decisions and propel the company’s growth plans.
“Andres brings a wealth of experience and talent to his role at CGI,” said CEO of Columbia Grain International, Jeff Van Pevenage. “His strong background in finance and significant experience in the agriculture industry make him a great fit for our corporation.”
Cardena started his agriculture career as a controller for Cargill in Mexico in 1994, and has held leadership positions in Latin America, North America, and Asia Pacific. He worked as a country, regional and global controller for animal nutrition, grain and oilseeds, and animal protein, as well as Cargill Financial Business and Treasury. After 24 years with Cargill, he took the position of CFO for Attebury Grain in Texas where he oversaw the leadership team during the business model transformation project and then became their CEO.
About Columbia Grain International
Since 1978, Columbia Grain International™ (CGI) has been Cultivating Growth™ as a global leader in the origination, processing, logistics, and distribution of high-quality bulk grains, pulses, edible beans, oilseeds and organics for U.S. domestic and worldwide export markets. Headquartered in Portland, OR, CGI’s reliable supply chain spans the western region of the US, ensuring abundant ingredients for all of its partners, thanks to their trusted relationships with their farmers throughout the fertile croplands of Washington, Idaho, Montana and North Dakota, well known for its high-quality wheat, feed grains, canola and pulses. CGI is an owner of Montana Specialty Mills, who operates an organic and non-GMO oilseed crushing facility in Great Falls, Montana, a mustard seed facility in Conrad, Montana, and most recently Montana Craft Malt —providing specialty malt barley from Montana farmers to the craft brewing world. Today, they are vertically integrated, operating assets including grain elevators, processing plants and agronomy centers to support their farmers, which stretch the northern tier of the United States. With multiple touchpoints across the food supply chain, CGI provides trusted solutions and cultivates high-quality ingredients from their local farmers for a farm to table philosophy that nourishes the world, safely.
