January 27, 2022 
Jim Sutter, CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council, was elected as Executive Chair of USAEDC in November 2021.
ARLINGTON, Virginia (January 1, 2022) – The United States Agricultural Export Development Council (USAEDC) today announced that Jim Sutter was elected Executive Chair during the Board meeting in November 2021. Mr. Sutter succeeds Chuck Timpko, who served as Executive Chair for two years beginning in November 2019.
Mr. Sutter is CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) since 2010. He has guided USSEC through a reorganization of its global network of staff and offices to better represent the soybean industry in both the U.S. and abroad.
“Jim is one of the most respected and talented leaders in our community and I look forward to working with him as Executive Chair,” said Lorena Alfaro, USAEDC’s Executive Director. “Jim’s 35 years’ experience in the agricultural industry will help USAEDC expand its footprint during uncertain times and a shifting global environment. With his steady hand, I am certain we will increase member value and strengthen our partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.”
Mr. Sutter brings to the position a lifetime of experience beginning with his formative years spent on a crop and cattle farm in northeastern Colorado. After graduating from Colorado State University with degree in Agricultural Business/Economics, he went on to hold numerous positions around the world, eventually serving as Vice President of Cargill’s Grain and Oilseed Supply Chain Business unit from 1998 to 2010.
“I am a glass-half-full person, but I know that no successful venture can be accomplished without the collaboration of a committed group of individuals,” Mr. Sutter said. “I congratulate Chuck on his exceptional tenure as Chair, which saw the twists and turns of the pandemic. I look forward to continuing my work alongside the USAEDC leadership team in our efforts to promote and grow U.S. agricultural exports in global markets, from soy to livestock to field crops, and beyond.”
Mr. Sutter’s first act as Executive Chair was to unveil USAEDC’s strategic objectives for 2022. Other plans include bringing USAEDC’s stakeholders together to define the organization’s vision in a 5-year strategic plan to be launched later this year.
Other board changes include the election of Julie Adams to Vice-Chair, and Greg Tyler to Secretary/Treasurer. “USAEDC is grateful for the service of such dedicated industry professionals,” Ms. Alfaro stated. “Together, we will chart a course for the next chapter of the organization and ensure the success and growth of our members.”
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USAEDC’s members are U.S. commodity trade associations, farmer cooperatives, and state regional trade groups that represent the export promotion interests of growers and processors of U.S. agricultural products. Members collaborate closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) to increase worldwide knowledge, preference, and demand for U.S. agricultural exports.