Annual Meeting Judged a Huge Success

An excellent attendance of over 100 people participated in TEGMA's 2010 annual meeting held January 28 and 29 at Marriott's Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Arizona.  TEGMA welcomed an outstanding group of guest speakers on a variety of timely topics.

• Todd Becker, President & CEO, Green Plains Renewable Energy, "Outlook for the Ethanol Industry"
• Doug J. Marchand, Executive Director, Georgia Ports Authority, "Agri-Boxing: Creating New Opportunities for U/S. Agri-Product via a 40' Metal Box - An East Coast Perspective"
• Bailey Ragan, Vice President, General Manager Bunge North America Grain, "Grain Industry Challenges and Opportunities"
• Shailu Verma, President, Lanworth, "Global Agricultural Production Estimates from Advanced Image and Model Analysis"
• Travis Vogler, Vice President, US Bank - Food Industries Group, "Credit Market Factors Affecting the Grain Industry"
• Sara Wyant, Editor, Agri-Pulse Newsletter, "Capitol Hill Update"
• Rick Webb, CEO, WATCO Companies, Inc., "A Rail Industry Perspective from the Heartland"

In addition, a panel of industry experts discussed the 2009 fall harvest and crop quality issues and the implications these issues hold for grain marketing, operations, and transportation.  The panelists were:

• David Ayers, president, Champaign-Danville Grain Inspection, Inc.
• Shane Berrett, director of transportation, DeBruce Companies, Inc.
• William R. Eilbracht, general director-logistics, Ag Products Group, Union Pacific Railroad
• David Pope, senior merchandiser - rail transportation, CHS, Inc.
• Brant Ring, general director of grain operations, BNSF Railway Company

Lastly, attendees were treated to the insights of a retired NFL player.  Former Dallas Cowboys star Russell Maryland entertained the group with after dinner remarks on his experiences as a professional athlete.

Presentations for many of the guest speakers as well as photos from the meeting are available here.