JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) elected its officers during the organization’s annual meeting in Savannah, Georgia, with Missouri farmer-leader selected to serve as vice chairman.
During the meeting, Tim Gottman, a soybean and corn farmer from Monroe City, Missouri, was elected to vice chairman. Gottman previously served as the STC secretary-treasurer from 2021-2022. Gottman is also a director on the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council (MSMC).
“Farmers understand more and more how transportation impacts their bottom line,” says Gottman. “Whether it’s roads and bridges, freight railroads, inland waterways, or ports, the STC continues to be a leader in promoting a transportation infrastructure that helps farmers be successful.”
Chris Brossart of Wolford, North Dakota, will lead the organization as chairman. Brossart previously served as the STC vice chairman from 2021-2022. Brossart also currently serves as chairman of the North Dakota Soybean Council.
During the meeting, the STC board discussed and emphasized the various strategies and initiatives the organization seeks to continue to advance in 2023. These initiatives include:
- Continuing to monitor and be responsive to the challenges of the low water conditions along the Mississippi River and the inland waterway system
- Advocating for and promoting greater reliability of our freight rail system
- Continuing to support and encourage the project underway to deepen the lower Mississippi River
- Continuing the implementation of innovative and economical methods for repairing and replacing rural bridges
- Promoting the greater use of soy-based concrete and asphalt sealants and enhancers throughout the soybean supply chain
- 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
“One of the key reasons the Soy Transportation Coalition is such a successful organization is due to the dedication, thoughtfulness and professionalism of our farmer leaders,” explains Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the STC. “I look forward to working with Chairman Brossart, Vice Chairman Gottman, and Secretary-Treasurer Koehne in continuing to promote a transportation system that enables farmers to be successful.”
Established in 2007, the STC is comprised of thirteen state soybean boards, the American Soybean Association (ASA) and the United Soybean Board (USB). The goal of the organization is to position the soybean industry to benefit from a transportation system that delivers cost effective, reliable and competitive services.