ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, U.S. — CHS Inc. announced on June 7 the planned retirement of Claudio Scarrozza, senior vice-president and chief executive officer, CHS Europe; and promoted Roger Baker to vice-president and general manager, CHS Europe.  

Scarrozza will remain with the company through December, and serve as a consultant through calendar 2014.   
Scarrozza joined CHS in May 2007 as senior vice-president and general manager of the company’s first European office at Geneva, Switzerland.  Over the course of his career, he established eight new CHS global offices, met with foreign dignitaries and government officials, and orchestrated and navigated complex Black Sea region acquisitions, joint ventures and business relationships.

“Scarrozza has an incredible capacity to first envision the big picture and then lay the ground work to create traction in some very challenging environments and regions of the world,” said Mark Palmquist, executive vice-president and chief operating officer, Ag Business, CHS. 

Palmquist said the next chapter of CHS-Europe will be led by Roger Baker, as vice-president and general manager. Baker will be responsible for daily business management, grain merchandising operations and overall profitability. Baker’s appointment is effective immediately and he will report directly to Palmquist. 

“We are confident that Roger’s strong management acumen, merchandising savvy, deep knowledge of CHS best practices and intense customer focus will greatly contribute to future success,” said Palmquist.  

Baker joined CHS in 1994 as procurement merchandiser and later led the company’s global wheat desk. In August 2011, he was named CHS Europe senior merchandiser and relocated to Geneva. 

Baker earned a bachelor’s of science degree in agriculture business from Iowa State University at Ames.