AFOA
About US
The AFOA is dedicated to constantly updating and informing our members of news in the industry. We work to improve trade relations in the fats and oils industry around the world.
01. Benefits
Member benefits include access to AFOA Trading Rules, our extensive member list, discounts on annual events and up-to-date information and news in the industry.
02. Membership
The initial membership fee allows your company the option of one primary location and three members, and provides a significant discount on the annual meeting fees.
03. And More
For multiple locations, or more than three members, that would like to take advantage of AFOA Member Benefits and membership, you will have the opportunity to attach additional information and contacts.
Join
AFOA American Fats and Oils Association
Join the American Fats and Oils AssociationJoin AFOA American Fats and Oils Association today by completing the application form!
The application fee includes one primary business location and three members. If you would like to add multiple locations or if you have more than three members that would like to take advantage of AFOA membership, you will have the opportunity to attach additional information and contacts.
AFOA Membership
Apply online or call (803) 252-7128 and we will be happy to answer any questions you have.
2022
AFOA Officers
John Reynolds
President
Fidelis New Energy
Brian Owens
First Vice President
Stratas Foods
Chris Peterson
Second Vice President
HERO BX
Dave Mack
Treasurer
CHS, Inc.
Alan Thompson
Secretary
Twin Rivers Technologies
Dave Elsenbast
Immediate Past President
AgriBio Commodities, LLC
AFOA
Board of Directors
- Kevin Baker — Valley Proteins,Inc.
- Tyler Hagenow — Sanimax Marketing, Limited
- Jessica Hecht — MPB Commodities Brokerage Company
- Changjian Ji — Cargill, Inc.
- Logan Kuch — Columbus Vegetable Oils
- Courtney Lawrenson — Ag Processing, Inc.
- Chuck Malone — Tyson Foods, Inc.
- Bill McBee — Consolidated Grain & Barge Co.
- Paul Nees – Renewable Energy Group
- Justin Nielsen — Veracity Edible Oil Solutions (VEOS)
- Anne Pfau — Geo. Pfau’s Sons Co., Inc.
- Matt Reiner — POET Nutrition
- Grant Saar — West Coast Reduction
- Jay Van Valen — JST Global
AFOA
Honorary Directors
- David Haselschwerdt — Sunbelt Commodities, Inc.
- Rick Hegenberger — Gersony-Strauss Company, Inc.
- Albert Mogerley — Hudson Tank Terminals Corporation*
- Liam Rogers — Hudson Tank Terminals Corporation
- David Rothschild — MBM Company*
- Nick Sander — American Commodities Brokerage Co.
- Bill Simeral
- Ralph Joel – Somar- Universal Tanker Chartering, Inc.
*deceased
2022
Committee Members
Animal Protein Committee
- Michael Carlson (Sanimax Markeing, Limited), Animal Protein Chair
- Paul Guzman (Fornazor International, Inc.), Animal Protein Committee
- Curt Hart (Cargill, Inc.), Animal Protein Committee
- Tyler Hagenow (Sanimax Markeing, Limited), Animal Protein Committee
- Rob Jones (F3Solutions), Animal Protein Committee
- Kevin Sinnott (Fornazor International, Inc.), Animal Protein Committee
- Grant Saar (West Coast Reduction Ltd.) Animal Protein Committee
Vegetable Oil Committee
- Justin Nielsen, VEOS Vegetable Oil Chair
- Cate Gagliardo, S&P Global – Commodity Insights
- Mike Meyers, Ag Processing, Inc.
Arbitrations Committee
- Dave Elsenbast, Arbitrations Committee Chair
Biofuels Committee
- Chris Peterson (HERO BX), Biofuels Committee Chair
- Paul Nees (Renewable Energy Group (REG))
Membership Committee
- Anne Pfau (Geo. Pfau’s Sons Co., Inc.), Membership Committee Chair
- Rob Jones (F3Solutions, Membership Committee
- John Healy (Columbus Vegetable Oils), Membership Committee
Nominating Committee
- Brian Owens (Stratas Foods, LLC), Nominating Committee Chair
- David Haselschwert (Sunbelt Commodities, Inc.), Nominating Committee
- Anne Pfau (Geo. Pfau’s Sons Co. Inc. ), Nominating Committee
Tallow Committee
- Jay Van Valen (JST Global), Tallow Committee Chair, Animal Protein Committee & Tallow Committee
- Robert Bestgen (Tyson Foods),Tallow Committee
- Kevin Baker (Valley Proteins, Inc.),Tallow Committee
- Michael Cox (Emery Oleochemicals),Tallow Committee
- Lonnie James (Gersony-Strauss Company, Inc.),Tallow Committee
- Jeff Peeler (Jacob Stern & Sons),Tallow Committee
- Michael Sanchez (Pasternak, Baum & Co., Inc.)Tallow Committee
- Joe Weiss (Stolt- Nielsen USA, Inc.)Tallow Committee
- Neal Worpel (Cargill, Inc.)Tallow Committee
- Tommy Mann (Darling ingredient), Animal Protein Committee & Tallow Committee
Transportation Committee
- Liam Rogers (Hudson Tank Terminals Corporation), Transportation Committee Chair
- Scott Peterson (Odin Marine)
Program Committee
- Chris Sims, HERO BX, Committee Chairman
AFOA
Staff

Leigh Wickersham
CAE | Executive Director
leigh@associationsplus.com
Phone: 803.252.7128
Get In Touch
Leigh Wickersham
Executive Director
PO Box 11035, Columbia SC 29211, USA
afoa@fatsandoils.org
803.252.7128 | 803.252.7799