ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, U.S. — CHS Inc. announced on Aug. 11 that current CHS strategic leadership team member Shirley Cunningham will assume a new role as executive vice-president and chief operating officer, Ag Business and Enterprise Strategy, replacing Mark Palmquist, executive vice-president and chief operating officer, Ag Business.

Palmquist will leave the organization effective Aug. 31, to assume the top leadership role as managing director and chief executive officer of GrainCorp, Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 1.

"We congratulate Mark on this new opportunity and thank him for his significant contributions to CHS and its predecessor organizations," said CHS President and Chief Executive Officer Carl Casale. "During his 35-year career with our organization, he was instrumental in launching and building the CHS global platform and identifying numerous growth opportunities in our grains and foods businesses that add value for the owners of this cooperative."

Cunningham, who joined CHS in 2013 as executive vice-president, Enterprise Strategy, will continue to lead the company's Enterprise Strategy functions as well as the newly aligned Ag Business platform which includes International, North America and Agronomy. 

"Shirley brings significant global strategic and enterprise experience to her expanded role," said Casale. "Aligning our Ag Business and Enterprise Strategy platforms under Shirley's leadership will position us well for continued growth on behalf of our owners."

Newly named leaders for CHS Ag Business platform include: 
• Stefano Rettore, senior vice-president, International, responsible for CHS South America, CHS Asia-Pacific and CHS Europe. 
• Gary Anderson, senior vice-president, North America Grain Marketing and Processing and Food Ingredients, responsible for North America Grain Marketing, Terminals and Transportation, Business Development, Processing and Food Ingredients, and Ethanol manufacturing. 
• Rick Dusek, vice-president, Agronomy, leading Crop Nutrients Supply and Trading, North America Crop Nutrients and Agronomy, which will include additional product and technology offerings.

Cunningham retains responsibility for CHS Information Technology, Human Resources, Enterprise Strategy and Marketing and Communications functions. She assumes her new role on Sept. 1.