Cast Your Ballot to Elect New Leaders
It is time to elect leaders for GEAPS’ International Board of Directors. Voting is open April 15 through May 15. Check your email inbox for voting instructions, video testimonials from candidates, and a link to an online ballot.
There are 12 candidates running to serve on GEAPS International Board of Directors. Those 12 are vying for five available positions. Members will elect one first vice president, one second vice president, and three board directors. Of the board directors, two will be Regular members and one will be an Associate or Affiliate member. Lifetime and Student members are not eligible to vote or serve on the board.
As a GEAPS member, this is your opportunity to participate in the election process and help build an even stronger leadership team representing our community of grain professionals. The deadline to vote is Thursday, May 15. Elected leaders will begin to serve in July.
Questions on how to vote?
The email with the online ballot was sent April 15. If you’ve noticed you’re not receiving GEAPS emails or if you have unsubscribed to our communications, please send an email to communications@geaps.com and we’ll make sure you’re able to vote.
Intl Second Vice President (vote for one)
Jon Brown
MKC, Great Plains • Member since 2019
Jon has over 25 years’ experience in the commercial construction industry. For the last 15 years he has overseen all capital projects for MKC, Producer Ag and Mid-West Fertilizer totaling over $300 million. In addition, Jon and his millwright team are responsible for maintenance and repairs to over 60 facilities for grain, fuel, feed and agronomy. Jon is responsible for internal hands-on safety training for more than 400 operations employees in all four divisions. Jon has served as a Great Plains chapter board member since 2016. He is currently the president.
Jon Brown
MKC, Great Plains • Member since 2019
Intl Board Directors – Regular members (vote for three)
Scott Biel
MKC, Great Plains • Member since 2021
Scott Biel is the Director of Safety at MKC, where he leads initiatives to
enhance workplace safety, regulatory compliance and risk management.
With over seven years of experience, he fosters a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Scott actively contributes to GEAPS, serving as Chair of the Exchange Programming Committee and is a member of the Education and Training Committee. He also leads the MKC Safety Committee and supports the GEAPS Great Plains Chapter events. Passionate about professional development, Scott is dedicated to advancing industry education and safety innovations in grain operations.
Scott Biel
MKC, Great Plains • Member since 2021
Sean Farrell
The DeLong Co., Inc., Cornbelt • Member since 2016
Sean Farrell is the Project Manager for The DeLong Co, Inc. Farrell joined The DeLong Co, Inc in 2014, after spending the first part of his career at another commercial grain elevator. He is responsible for the development of capital projects, including greenfield projects and facility expansions, for the export and grain divisions of the company. He also serves on The DeLong Co, Inc safety board and manages the company’s CMMS software for maintenance and safety. He holds a B.S. in agribusiness economics from Southern IL University-Carbondale and a master’s degree in project management from Keller Business School.
Sean Farrell
The DeLong Co., Inc., Cornbelt • Member since 2016
Adam Geers
Michigan Agricultural Commodities, Michigan/So. Ontario • Member since 2006
Adam Geers is the Vice President of Operations for Michigan Agricultural Commodities (MAC) which is the largest grain handler in Michigan. Adam has spent his entire professional career working for MAC, which was founded by his grandfather in 1976. Adam began working for MAC as an intern in 2003 and has served in several roles during his career, including Grain Operations, Merchandising and Facility Management. In his current leadership role, he strives to maintain the family environment and values that the company was founded on.
Adam Geers
Michigan Agricultural Commodities, Michigan/So. Ontario • Member since 2006
Danny Lien
Ag Processing Inc, Greater Iowa • Member since 2023
Danny Lien started his career in soybean processing in early 2007. He
is the plant manager at Ag Processing Inc in Eagle Grove, Iowa. He was
a member of IOMSA since 2017 and an NFPA 36 Technical Committee
member since 2017.
Danny Lien
Ag Processing Inc, Greater Iowa • Member since 2023
Board Director – Associate (vote for four)
Charles Hurburgh
Iowa State University, Greater Iowa • Member since 1983
Dr. Charles R. Hurburgh is a native Iowan from Rockwell City, Iowa, where the family farm is still in business. He is a Professor of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University. He has BS, MS and doctorate degrees from Iowa State University. Dr. Hurburgh manages the ISU Grain Quality Research Laboratory and leads the Extension based Iowa Grain Quality Initiative. He has received the Iowa State University Lee R. Kolmer award for excellence in applied research and was named Fellow in the American Association of Cereal Chemistry. He is the state extension specialist for grain handling and processing applications. He has been a frequent presenter to GEAPS audiences on grain handling and processing topics.
Charles Hurburgh
Iowa State University, Greater Iowa • Member since 1983
Alex Luce
Ecolab, Columbia River • Member since 2019
Alex Luce is a Business Development Manager for Ecolab Specialty Pest
Services. Alex currently serves as the Columbia River Chapter President.
He enjoys all GEAPS membership has to offer.
Alex Luce
Ecolab, Columbia River • Member since 2019
Erin Mies
People Spark Consulting, Minneapolis • Member since 2025
Erin Mies co-founded People Spark Consulting with business partner Kristen Ireland in 2018. People Spark is a business and human resources consulting company that works with clients in the ag industry to achieve their goals through their HR strategies. Erin has more than 20 years of experience consulting and coaching executives, leaders and managers specifically in the agricultural and food industries at companies like General Mills and Land O’Lakes prior to starting People Spark Consulting. She earned her BA in Economics and Music (Harp) from Wittenberg University and her Master of Human Resources and Industrial Relations from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Erin Mies
People Spark Consulting, Minneapolis • Member since 2025
Bob Reis
Electro-Sensors, Inc, Minneapolis • Member since 1990
Bob has been an active member of GEAPS for over 20 years and has dedicated more than 25 years to the grain industry. Throughout his career, he has served as an Applications Engineer, Sales Manager and President of manufacturing companies specializing in hazard monitoring technologies and safety educational services for the grain, feed and milling industries. Passionate about promoting safer operations and industry education, Bob actively promotes GEAPS membership and advocates for greater awareness of hazard monitoring technology to enhance workplace safety in the grain industry.
Bob Reis
Electro-Sensors, Inc, Minneapolis • Member since 1990
Matthew Schmitt, CGOM, CGPM, PE, SE
Keen Project Solutions, LLC, Greater Iowa • Member since 2014
Matthew Schmitt, PE, SE is the Structural Team Lead for Keen Project Solutions LLC, Ankeny, Iowa. Keen offers design, build, and EPC solutions to the industry across North America. He has served as past president of the Greater Iowa Chapter, past chair of the Membership Committee, and past member of GEAPS Associates Board of Directors. He serves on the International Board of Directors and International Executive Committee and since 2021 has been the International Secretary. He has earned several GEAPS credentials and is passionate about chapters and education.
Matthew Schmitt, CGOM, CGPM, PE, SE
Keen Project Solutions, LLC, Greater Iowa • Member since 2014
Allan Venters
Solentra, Mid-South • Member since 2024
Allen works at Solentra, providing AGRIS, oneWeigh and other software solutions and services to the agricultural market. He’s been with Solentra/Cultura for ten years and in ERP/scale technology since 2007. Before that, Allen was a district sales manager at Syngenta. He started his career as a high school teacher in central Illinois, teaching agriculture and science. Allen grew up on a corn and soybean farm in central Illinois, raising Shorthorn beef show cattle. He currently resides in northwest Arkansas with his wife Hailey and two daughters.
Allan Venters
Solentra, Mid-South • Member since 2024
Chad Wolf
Mass Flow Sourcing, Minneapolis • Member since 2017
Chad Wolf is the Managing Partner at Mass Flow Sourcing and has been
a dedicated member of the grain industry since 2013. He is currently
serving his second term as Minneapolis Chapter President and is the
Vice Chair for the Chapter Resource Committee. Chad is excited for
the opportunity to expand his leadership efforts by joining the GEAPS
International Board of Directors.
Chad Wolf
Mass Flow Sourcing, Minneapolis • Member since 2017