CHS, a leading energy, grains and foods company, announced it has named Josh Blaisdell to the newly created position of vice president, Corporate Compliance.
This new position consolidates the company's current efforts under a single leader who can take its performance to new levels, said John Johnson, CHS president and chief executive officer.
Blaisdell will lead overall CHS domestic and international compliance and audit programs, heading a team that includes CHS environmental, health and safety, business continuity/disaster recovery and internal audit functions. He will be responsible for corporate compliance and results including government rules/regulations and development of company policies and procedures, as well as implementation and maintenance of state-of-the-art compliance programs, policies and procedures.
In addition, his team will be responsible for audit, training and related activities that promote legal and ethical conduct.
Blaisdell will report to David Kastelic, senior vice president of the new CHS Legal and Compliance Department, effective January 1, 2010.
Blaisdell joined CHS in 1990 and has served as tax director since 1995, with responsibility for all domestic and international tax-related matters. He also led the implementation of CHS company-wide Sarbanes-Oxley compliance programme and had responsibility for its ongoing management. He previously worked for Dyco Petroleum, Minneapolis; served as a tax accountant and was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. Blaisdell holds a juris doctor degree from the University of Idaho and a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of North Dakota. He is an active member of the National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives and the Legal, Tax and Accounting Committee of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.
CHS Inc. is a diversified energy, grains and foods company owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives, along with thousands of preferred stockholders across the US. CHS supplies energy, crop nutrients, grain, livestock feed, food and food ingredients, along with business solutions including insurance, financial and risk management services.