December 3, 2007

ASA welcomes new executive director

William S. (Bill) Schuermann has joined the American Soybean Association (ASA) as an executive director, member & industry relations on November 29.

Stephen L. Censky, chief executive officer for ASA, said Schuermann's presence will be "beneficial to ASA" with his strong marketing and management experience spent on the agribusiness sector.

Schuermann most recently served as Group Publisher-Fruit and Vegetable Group for Meister Media Worldwide in Willoughby, Ohio, US, where he was responsible for three of the company's specialty ag publications. He also worked for Doane, LLC, based in St. Louis, where he was senior vice-president, economic advisory and information services, and publisher and editorial director for Agri Marketing magazine. He has had additional sales and marketing management experience with Ball Seed Company and DeKalb-Pfizer Genetics.

Schuermann's role will be responsible for leading the staff and organisation in the communications, industry relations, marketing, and membership areas, according to Censky. He will also maintain and develop strategic alliances with agribusiness and allied industries, serve as ASA's top manager and liaison for Commodity Classic, and provide direction to meet the objectives of ASA's Agribusiness Council.