The United Soybean Board (USB) has announced that Courtney Knupp will join the organization as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) starting October 1.
Ms Knupp currently serves as Director of Global Supply Chain at the National Security Council. USB’s board of farmer-leaders, representing more than 30 states, ratified the decision at its July board meeting in Indianapolis.
“Courtney is the right leader at the right time to advance the work of the Soy Checkoff and our vision of delivering sustainable soy solutions to every life, every day,” said Brent Gatton, USB Chair.
“She brings the strategic vision, deep agricultural understanding and proven leadership our farmer-leaders set out to find, along with a genuine commitment to increasing return on investment for US soybean farmers. We look forward to the momentum she will bring to our mission.”
About Courtney Knupp
Ms Knupp brings nearly two decades of experience spanning agriculture, international trade, public policy and market development. She currently serves as Director of Global Supply Chain at the National Security Council, coordinating US policy to strengthen the resilience of the agriculture and food sectors, and previously served as Senior Policy Advisor to the US Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Agriculture on trade and food safety.
Her checkoff and export experience includes serving as Vice President of International Market Development at the National Pork Board, where US pork exports grew to USD 8.6 billion, and as Director of Global Animal and Aquaculture Nutrition at the US Soybean Export Council, where she led strategy to increase the value of US soybean and soybean meal exports.
Earlier in her career, Ms Knupp held Chief of Staff roles at the US Department of Agriculture, led international trade policy for the National Pork Producers Council and held commercial roles at BASF and Elanco Animal Health.
She grew up on her family’s farm in Iowa, where she remains engaged, and earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and international agriculture from Iowa State University.
“Soy touches every life, every day, from the food we eat and the feed that powers animal agriculture to fuel and industrial uses,” said Ms Knupp.
“The checkoff exists to deliver value back to the farm gate, and that mission is personal to me. I grew up on our family farm in Iowa, where we still grow soybeans, and it is an honor to work alongside USB’s farmer-leaders, staff and partners to position US Soy for success in a competitive global marketplace.”
CEO criteria
USB board members and staff outlined their CEO criteria, emphasizing leadership, strategic acumen, staff and program management, and a strong connection to agriculture and soy. In interviews with the search and selection committees, comprising farmer-leaders, Ms Knupp surpassed those expectations.
Ms Knupp will relocate to the USB’s headquarters in Chesterfield, Missouri. She will remain a federal employee until early September and has recused herself from soybean matters. Her anticipated start date will be October 1.
About United Soybean Board
United Soybean Board’s 77 farmer-leaders work on behalf of all US soybean farmers to increase demand, drive on-farm resilience and ensure farmers achieve maximum value for their Soy Checkoff investments. These volunteers create value through strategic partnerships across research, promotion and education investments – spanning the food, feed, fuel, industrial uses, exports and sustainable production market segments.
USB also focuses its communication and education efforts on strengthening the reputation of US Soy with customers, amplifying checkoff investments to inform US soybean farmers and partnering with the 30+ Qualified State Soybean Boards on research and outreach.
As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the Soy Checkoff.
For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit unitedsoybean.org.