Speakers

David Scholand

David se integró al equipo directivo de Central Valley Bean Cooperative en 2019. Con una carrera dedicada a la agricultura, posee amplio conocimiento en producción y manejo de cultivos. En diversos puestos gerenciales, ha desarrollado habilidades en gestión de empleados, procesamiento, distribución, relaciones con productores y clientes, y compraventa de frijol, además de elaborar propuestas comerciales. Su experiencia agrícola y conocimiento del negocio del frijol seco han sido vitales para el crecimiento de CVBC. Residente de Reynolds, ND, y egresado de Central Valley, David es activo en su comunidad, donde ha sido concejal y actualmente es alcalde.

Jay Ewald

Jay Ewald, CEO of Northern Feed & Bean, serves as a Director of the U.S. Dry Bean Council and Chairman of its Policy & Advocacy Committee. Based in Colorado, Jay brings over 40 years of global agribusiness leadership, specializing in strategic marketing, operational excellence, and value chain development. At Northern Feed & Bean, he has driven significant growth and integration across U.S. dry edible bean and feed operations, while championing trade policy and advocacy initiatives that strengthen U.S. dry bean exports worldwide. Fluent in English and Spanish, Jay combines international experience with a hands-on approach to advancing the industry.

Jay Gnanasekaran

Jayaraman (“Jay”) Gnanasekaran, President and CEO of Commercial Lynks, possesses over 25 years of leadership in global agricultural trade. Founded in 2000, his vision created a fully integrated, farmer-focused supply chain exporting premium U.S. pulses worldwide. Under Jay's direction, Commercial Lynks operates as an originator, processor, and exporter—owning Montana grain elevators for end-to-end quality control from farm to market. He builds lasting relationships with farmers, aligning production with global demand. Combining entrepreneurial drive, regional insight, and international expertise, Jay continues to propel the company's growth, and expansion across Asia and South America.

Jeff Rumney

Jeff Rumney, Vice President of Marketing for USA Pulses, leads initiatives to expand domestic and international markets for US-origin pulses. He works closely with consumers, scientists, producers, and industry leaders worldwide, drawing inspiration from the significant benefits of pulse production and consumption.

Joe Cramer

After growing up on a farm in central Michigan, Joe Cramer continued his education at Michigan State University. Following graduation, Joe spent 27 years with Star of the West Milling Company, eventually becoming Vice President of their edible bean division. In late 2012, Joe was given the opportunity to be the Executive Director of the Michigan Bean Commission - which serves the dry bean growers in Michigan.

Jorge Uriarte

Jorge Uriarte is the General Director of Intercontinental de Mexico Trading, bringing over 30 years of experience in the grain trading industry. A graduate in Business Administration from Universidad Iberoamericana, Jorge has developed a robust career as an agent representative in Mexico for various foreign companies. His expertise lies in trading a range of commodities, including edible beans, yellow popcorn, lentils, canary seed, and milk powder. With a deep understanding of market dynamics, Jorge has made significant contributions to the sector, navigating the complexities of grain trading with skill and integrity.

Justin Miller

Justin Miller is a fifth-generation farmer and rancher from Gildford, Montana, where his family has farmed since 1911. After studying Agricultural Business and Economics at Montana State University, he co-owns and operates Deep Roots Partnership with his brother, producing high-quality grains, pulses, and Simmental cattle. Justin is deeply engaged in his community, serving as president of multiple county Farm Bureaus, a church trustee, a water board member, a volunteer firefighter, and a former EMT. He and his wife Becki have been married for 20 years, have two children, and enjoy traveling, fishing, flying, and skiing.

Maggie Seng Sadowsky

Maggie Seng Sadowsky is a pioneering force in plant-based food innovation, advancing the next superfood: Beans. A Certified Food Scientist, technical strategist, and globally recognized product developer, she unites science, sustainability, and cultural insight to reimagine beans as a high-impact solution for modern food systems. She holds a B.S. in Food Science from The Ohio State University and has developed and influenced more than 100 successful CPG products in collaboration with leading global brands including Conagra, Kellogg, Ingredion, Kerry, and Beyond Meat.

Matt Searcy

Matt Searcy is a seasoned Pulse Merchant for Columbia Grain International headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Matt trades all pulse commodities handled by CGI with an emphasis on Latin America and Domestic markets. In his free time, Matt enjoys hunting and fishing.

Matt Stawow

Matt has been a dry edible pulse trader with Steele & Company since 2010. He trades all major classes of dry edible beans and is active in the domestic markets as well as several international markets around the globe. Matt has a Bachelors degree in Marketing from Northwood University and currently resides in Sterling, MI with his wife and (two) daughters. In his capacity as a pulse trader, he sits on the Michigan Bean Shippers Board of Trustees, and represents the Michigan Bean Shippers on the U.S. Dry Bean Council. In addition to his work in the bean industry, Matt also operates the family’s cash crop farm together with his father.

Michael Gmiterko

Michael has been with Merus, LLC since 2022, where he plays a key role in the company's export operations. He brings extensive experience exporting U.S. chickpeas, lentils, peas, and dry beans to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Nik Allen

Nik Allen brings over a decade of expertise in foodservice and beverage, specializing in production, innovation, and strategy. At Euromonitor, Nik serves as a Global Insight Manager, providing thought leadership on global and cross-industry trends, offering insights that shape the future of restaurants, bars, cafés, and packaged food and beverages.

Alejandro Leloir

Alejandro, an Argentine Agricultural Engineer with an Agribusiness MBA, began his career managing farm production in Uruguay. In 2016, in Costa Rica, he specialized as an international pulse purchaser, handling market analysis and global procurement. He later served as the U.S. Dry Bean Council's representative for the Americas, promoting trade and consumption. In 2023, he founded New World Trading (NWT), an agricultural specialty trading firm. NWT provides end-to-end supply solutions through a global network and delivers expert advisory services for informed purchasing decisions.

Roberto Pérez

Roberto Pérez is the Commercial Manager at PURP, with experience in the commercialization of grains such as beans, chickpeas, and corn. He has built his career in sales, negotiation, and market development within the agrifood sector. He brings a strategic and people-focused approach to the agricultural value chain, with a strong results-driven mindset.

Tim Welsh

Managing Director of AgriSource, (www.agrisource.co.th), grew up on his family’s farm in Iowa, studied at Oregon State University and Lincoln University, New Zealand, and began working with the U.S. pulses industry in 1981. He has been based in Thailand for the past 38 years, focusing on international marketing and agribusiness development. AgriSource has served as the Southeast Asia representative for the USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council since 1999 and the US Dry Bean Council since 2004.

Vicente Mendoza

Vicente has 19 years of experience in the agricultural sector. He has held various positions within the Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER). He has also collaborated in projects with the World Bank and FAO. He was also a professor of International Trade and International Marketing at the Universidad Autónoma del Noreste (UANE). He currently works with the US Dry Bean Council on their annual Mexico crop reporting.