Suzanne Shirbroun, ISA President
Suzanne farms near Farmersburg in Clayton County, Iowa and serves as President of the Iowa Soybean Association Board of Directors. Proud to be a sixth-generation farmer and seed business owner, Shirbroun has grown soybeans and corn for more than 20 years with her husband and sons. She has been a longtime participant in ISA’s research program, and is actively involved in the North Central Soybean Research Program, Iowa Corn Growers Association and CommonGround Iowa.
Mike Steenhoek, Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director
Mike Steenhoek is executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition (STC), an initiative established in 2007 and comprised of the United Soybean Board, the American Soybean Association, and thirteen state soybean boards. The Soy Transportation Coalition exists to promote a cost effective, reliable, and competitive transportation system that serves the agriculture industry. As executive director of the STC, Mike’s responsibilities include communicating the initiative and the importance of transportation issues to soybean growers and processors; establishing and executing the organization’s strategic direction; and building collaborations with other effected industries.
Christie Wiebbecke, ISA Chief Officer of Research and Conservation
Christie Wiebbecke, Ph.D., is the Chief Officer of Research and Conservation at the Iowa Soybean Association. Dr. Wiebbecke received her undergraduate degree in Agronomy from Iowa State University, M.A. in Education from Chapman University, and a doctorate in Plant Breeding from Iowa State University. She serves as Chair of the Industry Advisory Council for the Iowa Soybean Research Center and serves on the ISRC management team.
Dr. Wiebbecke spent over 20 years serving in various capacities in the agriculture industry from teaching high schoolers in California, to running combines, genomic selection, varietal development, and product management. Her passion for agriculture and developing people to their fullest potential shines through in all she does.
Matt Herman, ISA Chief Officer of Demand and Advocacy
Raised near La Porte City, Iowa on a corn, soybean, and beef cattle operation, Matt has been near agriculture for much of his life. After leaving the farm, Matt attended Iowa State University to study policy, history, and bioenergy. Following school he worked for Ames-based Renewable Energy Group where he oversaw all greenhouse gas accounting, led aspects of policy and advocacy, and helped build innovative strategies to cut the company’s emissions while increasing profitability. Prior to joining the Iowa Soybean Association, Herman was in Washington D.C. working on environmental analysis and biofuel policy. Now at the Iowa Soybean Association, Matt leverages those skills and connections to support the creation of a more profitable, higher yielding, and more sustainable soybean cropping rotations for Iowa’s farmers.
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