External Advisory Board
K-State Grain Science and Industry External Advisory Board
Membership 2025–2027
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VP Operations, Ardent Mills |
Troy Anderson serves as Vice President of Operations at Ardent Mills, Denver Colorado. Troy leads all aspects of plant operations for Ardent Mills across U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico by driving strong cross-functional collaboration while ensuring a common team member and customer experience, overseeing operational excellence, regulatory compliance and serving as a talent leader for the operations function. Troy is from rural McPherson County (Kansas) and graduated from Kansas State University in May 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in Milling Science and Management. Troy joined Cargill upon graduating and held various positions within Cargill’s U.S. flour milling and grain operations prior to his current role with Ardent Mills. Troy and his wife Alison (KSU ’92) reside in Manhattan, Kansas. Together they have three children and five grandchildren. In his free time, you’ll find Troy enjoying time with family and enjoying the great Kansas outdoors. |
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Keith Adams COO, Bay State Milling |
As Chief Operating Officer, General Manager, Milling and Ingredient Solutions, Keith Adams is responsible for the building out, oversight, and management of the strategy for the Core Milling Business Operations. He has held a progression of leadership roles at the company, beginning as a plant manager in Wichita, Kansas, in 2007. Mr. Adams joined Bay State Milling after spending 18 years with an engineering and manufacturing firm specializing in the disign and construction of facilities for food and commodities. During that time he worked in both domestic and international markets, holding a variety of positions in sales and project management, including Vice President of Engineering. Mr. Adams holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Milling Science from Kansas State University. |
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Kerwin Brown President and CEO, BEMA |
Since 2005, Kerwin Brown has served as the President and CEO of BEMA, an international trade association representing leading equipment manufacturers and suppliers. In this role, Kerwin has helped design and implement initiatives that keep BEMA growing, thriving, and relevant and deliver significant value to BEMA members and the baking industry. These initiatives include the Baking Industry Forum (BIF), BEMA-Connect, BEMA-U, BEMA’s Convention and NEXUS. Kerwin serves on the Executive, International, and Education committees of the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE), the largest grain-based trade show in the Western Hemisphere. He currently serves on the advisory board for the Kansas State University Grain Science Department. He is on the board of directors for the Council of Manufacturing Associations board, a membership organization of over 250 national trade associations. Kerwin is an active participant in the American Bakers Association, the American Society of Baking, the National Association of Manufacturers, and the American and Kansas City Society of Association Executives. Kerwin lives with his wife, Kirby, in Overland Park, Kansas. He enjoys spending time with family, climbing 14ers in Colorado, playing guitar, and shooting skeet. |
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Eric Dell President and CEO, ABA |
Eric is the President and CEO of the American Bakers Association and leads the trade group’s sweeping mission of promoting and growing the baking industry in partnership with its 300+ members. Eric joined ABA from the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) where he served for 10 years and was the organization’s Vice President upon leaving. He is also a veteran of Capitol Hill, serving two stints as Chief of Staff and Counsel to Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC). |
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Jane DeMarchi President, NAMA |
Jane DeMarchi is president of the North American Millers’ Association. The North American Millers’ Association (NAMA) represents the interests of the wheat, corn and oat milling industry before Congress, federal agencies, and international regulatory bodies. Prior to this role, she worked at the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). She currently serves on the leadership of the Food and Beverage Issues Alliance and on the board of the Partnership for Food Safety Education. |
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Melinda Farris CEO, IAOM |
Melinda has served as the CEO of IAOM since June 2007, following her tenure as Director of Communications from 2004 to 2007. As CEO, she oversees the implementation of board policies, manages the association’s operations and staff, and directs IAOM’s in-house publications, including International Miller, the membership directory, and the association’s website. Melinda earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Baker University and a master’s degree in Russian and East European Studies from the University of Kansas. She has been a member of the executive management team for the Food Fortification Initiative (FFI) since 2007 and has held the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential from the American Society of Association Executives since 2010. A dedicated leader in the association community, Melinda served as president of the Kansas City Society of Association Executives (KCSAE) from 2015 to 2016 and as a board member from 2012 to 2017. Before joining IAOM, she worked as the communications manager for the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia, where she developed expertise in global communications and cross-cultural collaboration. |
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Brian Fatula Vice President Baking Solutions, Lallemand Baking NA |
A 1996 graduate of KSU Bakery Science and Management and who has held various progressive roles within the baking industry and currently serves in the role as Vice President for Lallemand Baking Solutions North America. He has had the privilege to hold leadership positions within baking organizations as well as within the allied industry including SVP of Research and Development & Regulatory for Hostess Brands and Vice President for DSM Baking Enzymes having responsibilities for the Americas region. Throughout his career has been actively involved and/or held roles with various industry organizations such as ASB (American Society of Baking), Cereal and Grains, ABA (American Bakers Association), ATBI (Allied Trades of the Baking Industry) and BEMA (Bakery Equipment Manufacturers and Allied). Brian is married to wife Katy (a 1998 KSU graduate) for 25 years and has two daughters (one being a current KSU student) and a granddaughter. |
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Sarah Franklin Commercial Manager, ADM |
Sarah Franklin is the Product Manager for Industrial Starches at ADM based in Decatur, Illinois. In this role, Sarah has responsibility for the overall industrial starch strategy and pricing, including wheat, corn, and sorghum. Sarah joined ADM in 2019 as a Commercial Manager Trainee at the Carthage, Missouri, flour mill and then transitioned to an Assistant Commercial Manager role for the Buffalo and Hudson, New York flour mills. In her last role, Sarah was the Commercial Manager for two of ADM's specialty starch and protein facilities in Dodge City, Kansas and Candiac, Quebec. Sarah is a 2019 graduate in Agricultural Economics at Kansas State and a 2022 graduate of K-State’s Masters in Agribusiness program. In her free time, Sarah enjoys serving as a mentor for the local high school CEO program and attending group fitness classes. |
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Justin French Sr. Director, PepsiCo Flavor & Seasonings |
23+ yrs Food Industry, he has held roles in Supply Chain and Research & Development at PepsiCo leading the best teams in the snacks business. A graduate of Kansas State University (’01), started in Quaker Foods operations, managed product & process development, and currently leading Global Flavor & Seasoning Food teams responsible to create, develop and execute great taste across a diverse portfolio. He and his wife (Emily ‘01) live in Frisco, Texas, and have 3 children. |
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Justin Gilpin President, Kansas Wheat |
Justin Gilpin became Kansas Wheat CEO September 1, 2009. Gilpin is a graduate of Kansas State University’s Milling Science program within the Department of Grain Science and Industry. Before joining Kansas Wheat, Gilpin worked at General Mills, Inc., where he was a wheat buyer for three flour mills. He executed daily wheat market orders on the floor of the Kansas City Board of Trade, worked with flour sales, elevator and mill management, and sourcing wheat from various classes. He has been involved in a number of U.S. Wheat Associates committees, is past-chair of the Kansas City Board of Trade Cash Basis committee, Wheat Quality Council board Member and is an adjunct research scientist for Kansas State University's Department of Grain Science and Industry. He currently serves as Chairman of Heartland Plant Innovations and works daily leading efforts at the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center on the KSU campus. |
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Jeff Hole Senior VP, Operations, Miller Milling |
Jeff Hole is the Senior Vice President of Operations for Miller Milling Company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. He joined Miller Milling Company in 2017. Jeff is a graduate of the Grain Science department with a bachelor’s degree in Milling Science and Management and a master’s degree in Agribusiness from Kansas State University. His 30 plus year career has always been in the grain milling industry. Prior to joining Miller Milling Company, Jeff was employed by Cereal Food Processors / Grain Craft for 23 years. During his employment with these companies, he held various operational leadership roles and was the Director of Milling prior to joining Miller Milling Company. Jeff is an active participant in the IAOM and NAMA, serving on several committees, and serving as the IAOM President in 2019. |
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Gary Huddleston Director, Feed Manufacturing & Regulatory Affairs, AFIA |
Gary Huddleston is the American Feed Industry Association’s director of feed manufacturing and regulatory affairs. He joined the association in May 2015 with more than 30 years of service in feed manufacturing. Huddleston manages AFIA’s efforts surrounding regulatory issues involving the Food and Drug Administration, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation. He also assists in the development of AFIA’s education and training programs. Huddleston is the staff contact for the Equipment Manufacturers and Production Compliance committees. Prior to joining AFIA, Huddleston was employed by Southern States Cooperative, Inc., since 1984, where he performed numerous roles—from sales to manufacturing—and since 1998 worked as the plant manager of the Southern States Park City, Kentucky, location. Huddleston earned a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness and economics from Tennessee Technological University. |
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Kevin Kelly President and CEO, Lifeline Foods |
Kevin has an undergraduate degree in Marketing and Operations Management from the University of Iowa and an MBA in Marketing Management from the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota. He is also pursuing a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. Kevin has broad experience in the food industry with stops at Procter & Gamble, Michael Foods, and Pillsbury/General Mills. His experience running the flour mills at both Pillsbury and General Mills made him an ideal candidate to assume the leadership of LifeLine Foods in 2017. While Kevin’s current duties have him living in St. Joseph, Missouri, he and his wife, Jenny, will someday retire to their farm in central Minnesota where they will spend time with their five children and grandchildren. |
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Rachel Klataske Director of Business Development, Nu Life Market |
Rachel is an experienced food industry professional involved in regenerative agriculture, sustainability, and the gluten-free food industry. She currently serves as the Director of Business Development at Nu Life Market—a vertically integrated sorghum mill based in Scott City, Kansas, where she has worked since 2016. In this role, Rachel has developed a passion for advocating for sorghum farmers and educating customers and consumers about the sustainability story of this ancient grain. After graduating from Kansas State University with a degree in Bakery Science and Management, Rachel worked for eight years at Post Foods in Battle Creek, Michigan as a Product Development Scientist on cereal and snack products. She is an active member of the American Society of Baking, serving on the 2025 BakingTech Planning Committee, and the Kansas City Section of the Institute of Food Technologists, serving as Membership Chair. Rachel lives in Manhattan, Kansas, with her husband, Ryan, and their two children. She is actively engaged in the local Rotary club and other community organizations. She is a proud Kansan, with family roots in Kansas agriculture. Rachel and Ryan own Ancient Ocean Beef Co., providing prairie friendly grass-fed and finished beef to the local market. |
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Kaleb Little CEO, Kansas Soybean Commission |
Kaleb Little joined Kansas Soybean in January 2021 as the Chief Executive Officer of the Kansas Soybean Association and Administrator of the Kansas Soybean Commission. In that role, under the direction of soybean farmer boards of directors, he manages and implements production and utilization research, domestic and international market development and education projects for the Commission and federal and state lobbying programs for the Association. Little previously served as the communications director at the National Biodiesel Board. He is a graduate of Kansas State University where he received an agricultural communications and journalism degree and a leadership studies minor. |
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Nicholas L. Rozzi VP Product Dev, Hill’s Pet Nutrition |
For the last nine years, Dr. Rozzi has led the Product Development and Product Design teams at Hill’s Pet Nutrition. These teams collaborate cross functionally to bring new products to life that exceed customer expectations. This encompasses concept through commercialization, including sustainability assessments. In addition to leading Product Development, over the past 3 years Nick has been responsible for Site Services at the Pet Nutrition Center, which encompasses the Experimental Foods Lab, Warehousing and Facilities Services. Dr. Rozzi holds a B.S. and Ph.D. in Food Science from Purdue University with a combined emphasis in processing and chemistry. Additionally, he was honored with Distinguished Alumnus status from the College of Agriculture in 2014. Outside of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Dr. Rozzi volunteers as Adjunct Faculty at Kansas State University, where he helps facilitate the development of new talent for the pet food industry, and helps students reach their academic goals. |
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Hayden Wands Global VP of Procurement, Commodities, Grupo Bimbo |
During his 30-plus years of experience in the industry, Hayden has various positions with companies such as Bartlett Grain, ADM Flour Milling, Farmland Grain, Cargill Flour Milling, Sara Lee, and Bimbo Bakeries USA. His experience includes grain trading, wheat procurement, flour sales, and bakery ingredient procurement. Hayden’s past involvement in the industry include serving as the chairman of the Commodity and Agricultural Policy Committee of the American Bakers Association, chairing the Wheat Foods Council, chairman of the Wheat Quality Council, and well as being a member of both the Kansas City Board of Trade and the Minneapolis Grain Exchange. Hayden is s graduate from Kansas State University with degrees in Flour Milling Science Management and Business Marketing. In 2023, he was awarded a Kansas State University Alumni Fellowship |
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Melissa Weber Director, Tech Services, Wilbur-Ellis |
When Dr. Melissa Weber earned her Ph.D. in Meat Science from Kansas State University, she didn’t picture herself becoming a driving force in the pet food industry—but life had bigger plans! After five years immersed in the fresh meat sector at Cargill, Melissa found her passion in pet food, where she spent years at Mars Pet Care spearheading innovations, launching new products, and crafting cost-effective recipes to nourish pets around the world. Today, Melissa serves as the Director of Technical Services at Wilbur-Ellis, leading R&D, lab services, technical sales, and FSQR for the Pet business. She thrives on developing scientific talent, building strong customer partnerships, and conducting research that makes a real difference for the industry. Melissa is all about the “so what?”—constantly challenging her teams to ensure research and product development solve real-world market challenges. She firmly believes that collaboration across the industry is essential to delivering superior quality products that don’t just meet but delight customer expectations. |
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Joseph Awika Department Head, K-State Grain Science and Industry |
Dr. Awika joined Kansas State University in August 2024 as the Head of Grain Science and Industry Department and Director of Food Science Institute. Prior to joining KSU, he was on faculty at Texas A&M University (2008–2024), where he also served as Food Science & Technology Department Head since 2021. He previously worked as assistant professor at University of Missouri-Colombia, and Arkansas State university (2004–2008). His research focuses on the chemistry of grain-derived bioactive compounds in relation to food quality, nutrition, and human health. He is a 2018–2019 Fulbright Faculty Fellow, the recipient of 2021 Institute of Food Technologists International Food Security Award and 2016 American Association of Cereal Chemists Teaching Excellence Award. He served on the 2023–2024 National Academies Committee exploring the link between soil health and human health, and currently serves as editor of Journal of Cereal Science. He obtained his PhD from Texas A&M University in 2003, and BS at Egerton University, Kenya in 1996. |
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Kerry Wefald Senior Director of Development – Agriculture, KSU Foundation |
Kerry Wefald serves as the Senior Director of Development for the College of Agriculture, Kansas State University Foundation. In her role, she optimizes relationships with alumni, friends and food, agriculture, and business networks to support philanthropy for the college including the university’s current Ag Innovation Initiative. Prior to joining the KSU Foundation in 2022, Wefald served as the Director of Agricultural Marketing for the Kansas Department of Agriculture supporting domestic and international market development initiatives for 19 Kansas-grown and value-added commodities. During this tenure, Wefald also served as president of the North American Agricultural Marketing Officials professional organization. Originally from a diversified crop and livestock farm in eastern Kansas, Wefald received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from K-State prior to beginning her professional career with Neiman Marcus in Longview, Texas. |
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Troy Anderson (Chair)
