CHESTERFIELD, MISSOURI, U.S. — Fred Stemme will take on the role of chief operating officer of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). Previously, NCGA’s vice-president of marketing and development, he leads a nine-member team responsible for accounting, administration, diversity, facilities, fundraising, grassroots advocacy, human resources, IT, industry relations, leadership training, membership recruitment, retention and services, organizational meetings and state relations.

“Fred has provided more than a decade of distinguished service to our association and, over the years, his responsibilities have continually increased to better capitalize on his talents and enthusiasm for this work,” said Jon Doggett, chief executive officer of the NCGA. “Certainly, this promotion comes as a well-deserved recognition of the work that he already does. We are grateful for the work that he already does and feel confident that he will continue to serve farmers in even more impactful ways in years to come.”

During Stemme’s tenure at the NCGA, the organization hit an all-time high of more than 42,000 members, the Commodity Classic event has grown to more than 9,700 attendees annually, and the NCGA has received numerous awards from the National Agri-Marketing Association, American Society of Association Executives and other organizations.

Prior to joining the NCGA as vice-president of marketing in 2005, Stemme was on staff with the Missouri Corn Growers Association for nearly eight years, and as such he has more than 21 years of service to corn farmers. He also worked in sales with American Cyanamid Co. in Georgia, Iowa and Texas. Stemme has been an active member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, serving as the Allied Industry chairman and representative on the NAFB board of directors in 2006 and he received the NAFB President’s Award in 2007. He is also a member of the National Agri-Marketing Association and St. Louis Agri-Business Club and served as vice-president of the St. Louis Society of Association Executives. Stemme received the Certified Association Executive designation from the American Society of Association Executives in 2014.

Stemme has a degree in agricultural economics from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and he served as Missouri State FFA president while studying there. Stemme also served on the Missouri FarmHouse Foundation board as secretary from 1997-2006.