Left to right: Rick Petersen, Mike Maranell, AAI Interim Executive Director, James RussmannNot Pictured: Art Halstead and Tom Linnen
Last week at the AAI Board of Directors meeting, the board recognized the service of four board members. Art Halstead from Cargill Pork, LLC, Rick Petersen from Heartland Co-op/Diversified Ag, LLC, and James Russmann from West Central are retiring from the board and Tom Linnen from Dow AgroSciences, has stepped down due to relocating to Dow AgroSciences’ corporate offices in Indianapolis. These four directors served the association for many years and found their time on the board to be rewarding.
“It has been a pleasure serving on the AAI Board. Agribusiness in Iowa is extremely diverse with many touch points. AAI’s role in helping connect the dots with business leaders and government is a vital role in helping continue to keep Agriculture thriving. A very memorable moment was AAI working with on Tri-axle Legislation to help control freight costs and reduce road maintenance. Once legislators were educated, this common sense approach moved quickly into law. AAI’s leadership working with Iowa leaders on the Nutrient Reduction Strategy will be key in helping Agriculture move forward on this very important issue.”
– Art Halstead, Cargill Pork, LLC
“It has been my pleasure to have served on the AAI Board of Directors the past 8 or 9 years. This is actually my second go-around, as I was on the Iowa Grain and Feed Association Board of Directors, and was the President in 1993 when we merged the IGFA and IFCA to form the Agribusiness Association of Iowa. In the 18 or 19 years that I have served on both of these boards of directors, the common positive experience has always been the relationships that I have developed with the other board members. I have learned so much from some great leaders in our industry. I would suggest or even encourage any member in the Association to become actively engaged by serving on a committee or even as a board member. It will be a rewarding experience that you won’t regret.”
– Rick Petersen, Heartland Co-op/Diversified Ag, LLC
“My time serving on the AAI Board will be missed. I have found it to be a great experience and have made many friends. I am confident that with the current staff and board of directors the future of the AAI is bright. The importance of the organization and its influence for the good of Iowa agriculture and the agri-businesses it represents cannot be over stated. The membership continues to grow as does the value.
My greatest memory of the AAI will always be the fellowship and how a group of business leaders can come together for the benefit of their respective organizations, customers and communities.
As we continue to see Iowa agriculture get questioned from those that do not understand it I feel confident the AAI is up to the challenge of educating and advocating for the story of the importance of the food and products we produce.”
– James Russmann, West Central
The Board of Directors and Staff wish to express sincere gratitude for the many contributions these four directors have made to the organization and membership during their board tenure.
Click here to see a list of AAI Board of Directors.