Ankeny, Iowa— The Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) elected its officers during the organization’s annual meeting in Mobile, Alabama, on November 21, 2024.
During the annual meeting, Mike Koehne of Greensburg, Indiana, was elected chairman. Koehne previously served as the STC secretary-treasurer from 2023-2024. He and his wife, Jill, have four children. Koehne also currently serves on the board of the Indiana Soybean Alliance, the American Soybean Association, and the U.S. Soybean Export Council.
“I appreciate the opportunity to serve as chairman of the Soy Transportation Coalition,” said Koehne. “Improving transportation is one of the most effective ways to improve the competitiveness of soybean farmers. I am proud to serve on an organization that has been so effective in so many areas. I look forward to continuing to expand on this track record of success.”
Raylen Phelon, a soybean, corn, wheat, cattle, and hay farmer from Melvern, Kansas, was elected vice chairman. Phelon and his wife, Karen, have three children. Phelon also serves as vice chairman on the Kansas Soybean Commission.
“I appreciate how the Soy Transportation Coalition focuses on ways to make tangible improvements to the supply chain farmers depend upon,” says Phelon. “From rural roads and bridges all the way to our ports, the STC continues to be an innovative and effective organization intensely focused on helping farmers be profitable.”
C.J. Chalfant, a soybean and corn farmer from Hartford City, Indiana, was elected secretary-treasurer. He and his wife, Abbey, have two children. Chalfant also serves as a director on the Indiana Soybean Alliance.
“There are a number of current challenges confronting the soybean industry,” says Chalfant. “I am therefore excited to serve as an officer on the Soy Transportation Coalition as we continue to promote a cost-effective, reliable, and resilient infrastructure to help farmers be successful.”
During the meeting, the STC board discussed and emphasized the various strategies and initiatives the organization seeks to continue to advance in 2025. These initiatives include:
- Advocating for and promoting greater investment in the inland waterways system
- Increasing the resiliency of bridges adjacent to key soybean export regions
- Continuing to support the future rail expansion project at the Port of Kalama
- Continuing the implementation of innovative and economical methods for repairing and replacing rural bridges
- Continuing to explore and promote new infrastructure investments to accommodate the increased production of soybean meal
- Continuing to promote the greater utilization of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway for soybean and soy product exports
Chris Brossart, a soybean and corn farmer from Wolford, North Dakota, concluded his service on the STC board due to term limits. Brossart served as chairman of the STC from 2023-2024. During the annual meeting, the STC board recognized Brossart for his service to the organization – particularly as a past chairman. The board also recognized Tim Gottman, a soybean and corn farmer from Monroe City, Missouri, for also concluding his service on the STC due to term limits.
“Serving on the Soy Transportation Coalition, including my tenure as chairman, has been one of the highlights of my time volunteering for the soybean industry,” says Brossart. “The organization is full of momentum and continues to move the needle on behalf of soybean farmers. I congratulate the newly elected officers and wish them and the entire organization all the best as they continue to serve this important industry.”
“I am proud to work on behalf of a group of professional and committed farmer leaders,” explains Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the STC. “They are one of the key reasons the organization has been so successful. I look forward to working with Chairman Koehne, Vice Chairman Phelon, and Secretary-Treasurer Chalfant in continuing to promote a transportation system that enables farmers to be competitive in the global marketplace. I sincerely appreciate the years of service by Chris Brossart and Tim Gottman. They truly helped make the organization better.”
