South Dakota farmer Mike McCranie elected chair of U.S. Soybean Export Council

The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) announced its 2026/2027 Board of Directors this week ( Feb. 24, 2026) during its annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas. USSEC’s board comprises 16 members: four director seats are appointed by the American Soybean Association (ASA), four seats are appointed by the United Soybean Board (USB), and the remaining eight seats are elected to represent trade, industry and state organizations of USSEC’s exporter and allied member classes.

Mike McCranie, a fourth-generation farmer who grows soybeans near Claremont, South Dakota, was elected USSEC board chair. As chair, McCranie will guide the board in its priorities for the year ahead, helping to differentiate and elevate U.S. Soy in the international marketplace.

“This is a huge honor and a role I am personally committed to,” McCranie said. “With 58 percent of the U.S. soybean crop exported in the most recent marketing year, there’s tremendous opportunity to continue building demand and prioritizing international relationships.

McCranie farms soybeans and corn with his wife, Monica, and their sons, Matthew and Mitchell. McCranie represents USB and is a member of USB’s Demand Action Team. He is active in his community and church, and is a member of numerous agricultural organizations, including the South Dakota Soybean Association and South Dakota Corn Growers Association.

“Relationships are critical to the work we do, and we are grateful for Mike and all our board leaders who volunteer their time and expertise and understand the power of trust and partnerships,” said Jim Sutter, CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council. “From regional conferences to one-on-one technical expertise, it’s all about building trust and showcasing how customers benefit from using U.S. Soy.”

Responsible for the international marketing of U.S. Soy in 90+ markets around the world, the board of directors of the USSEC are tasked with guiding the organization’s work to attain market access, differentiate and elevate preference for U.S. Soy.

USSEC’s 2026/27 Board of Directors (*indicates new to the board) 

ASA Appointments 

Janna Fritz, Bad Axe, Mich.

Mike Koehne, Greensburg, Ind.

Randy Miller, Lacona, Iowa

Roberta Simpson-Dolbeare, Nebo, Ill. (Vice Chair)

USB Appointments

Tim Bardole, Rippey, Iowa

Mike McCranie, Claremont, S.D. (Chair) 

Cindy Pulskamp, Hillsboro, N.D.

Reggie Strickland, Mount Olive, N.C. (Second Vice Chair)

Allied Class

Reese Allemore, Russell Marine Group, New Orleans, La.*

Scott Gaffner, Illinois Soybean Association, Greenville, Ill. (Secretary)

Joel Schreurs, Minnesota Soybean Growers, Tyler, Minn.

Exporter Class

Clayton Charles, FS Grain LLC

Austin DeLong, The DeLong Company*

Bobby Ewalt, Bunge North America, Inc. (Treasurer)

Shawn Hulm, J.D. Heiskell & Co.*

Scott Sinner, SB&B Foods, LLC