The Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) elected Raylen Phelon of Melvern, Kansas, as chairman during its annual meeting. Phelon, who previously served as vice chairman, farms soybeans, corn, wheat, cattle, and hay, and also serves as vice chairman of the Kansas Soybean Commission.
“I appreciate the opportunity to serve as chairman of the Soy Transportation Coalition,” Phelon said. “The STC is an organization that gets real things done and keeps its focus on helping farmers be more successful.”
C.J. Chalfant, a soybean and corn farmer from Hartford City, Indiana, was elected vice chairman. He has served as STC secretary-treasurer and is a director on the Indiana Soybean Alliance. Chalfant emphasized the importance of improving transportation systems to enhance competitiveness for soybean farmers.
Nathan White of Norborne, Missouri, was named secretary-treasurer. White also serves on the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council and highlighted the challenges facing the soybean industry and the need for better transportation infrastructure.
The STC board toured the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, meeting with senior leaders to explore opportunities for collaboration to improve the soybean supply chain’s cost-effectiveness and reliability.
Outgoing chairman Mike Koehne of Greensburg, Indiana, was recognized for his service and will continue his involvement with the American Soybean Association and U.S. Soybean Export Council.
Mike Steenhoek, STC executive director, praised the new leadership and Koehne’s contributions, expressing optimism for the coalition’s continued momentum.
