After a nationwide search, the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council have selected an agriculture industry veteran to lead the organizations.

Thomas Slunecka has been hired as executive director for Minnesota Soybean and will assume that role August 27.

New Executive Director For Minnesota Soybean

Slunecka has a long track record of working in biofuels and agriculture. He currently serves in a consulting role for the Urban Air Initiative and Phibro Animal Health where he was vice president of marketing for PhibroChem, a specialty supply company focused on ethanol and animal agriculture, based in New Jersey. Previous experience includes serving as executive director of the Ethanol Promotion & Information Council and vice president of marketing for the National Corn Growers Association.

"I am very happy to have the opportunity to work with these strong groups and look forward to the challenges and opportunities that agriculture will be faced with in the coming years," Slunecka says. "I am excited to help execute current and future research projects to bring new opportunities to Minnesota producers' farm gate.  Equally important is to continue to work with the strong leaders developing and implementing farm policies necessary to support soybean farmers' profitability. I appreciate the opportunity to play a part in fulfilling the visions set forth by Minnesota Soybean."

A native of central South Dakota, Slunecka earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business agriculture from South Dakota State University in Brookings.

"We are very happy to add a leader of the quality that Tom provides," says Bruce Schmoll, MSGA president and Dodge County farmer. "He is visionary and will help establish and achieve goals that will benefit soybean growers across Minnesota."

"Tom's broad experience in biofuels, grain and feed, herbicides and industry relations was attractive to us," adds Brian Greenslit, Renville County farmer and chair of the MSR&PC. "We look forward to bringing Tom to Mankato to keep Minnesota Soybean on the forefront."

Jon Leafstedt and Gary Weihs, principals with the global executive search firm Kincannon & Reed, conducted the nationwide search and assisted the Minnesota Soybean search committee in recruiting Slunecka.

Source: Minnesota Soybean