The Pour Over!
At NIOP, we don't want you to have to pour over tons of information to know what's going on with the association. Instead, we're hoping to provide a monthly quick click that gives updates, details, and reminders of association benefits and upcoming events. By clicking the links within, you have easy access to details on topics of interest.
02-04 ANNOUNCING OUR NEW LOGO PAGE 04-06 WELCOME NEW NIOP PRESIDENT PAGE 07-08 SPONSOR ENCORE SERIES PAGE 09-11
NIOP is proud to introduce its newly refreshed logo a thoughtful update that reflects both our history and our future. Our previous logo served the organization well for many years, becoming a familiar and trusted symbol since its debut in 1991 As NIOP continues to grow and evolve, leadership and the Communications/Marketing Committee recognized that it was time for a refresh—one that brings our visual identity up to speed with where NIOP is today.
Under the leadership of Sara Repa, the committee engaged in a collaborative and intentional process, reviewing multiple concepts, variations, and drafts before ultimately landing on the design you see today. While the update is subtle, it was purposefully crafted to maintain the core elements that make NIOP recognizable, while introducing a cleaner, more modern look.
This new logo represents NIOP’s commitment to staying current, relevant, and forward-thinking while remaining grounded in the strong foundation that has guided us for decades
A very special thank you to the Communications/Marketing Committee for their time, input, and involvement on this special project!
Ann Marie Galbo - American Specialty Oils Co.
Jackie Hartnett - Spack International Inc
Breth Hathaway - Flowers Foods, Inc.
Paige Kennebeck - Moving Parts
Sara Repa - Bunge
Beth Westemeyer - Veracity Edible Oil Solutions
David Zaslavsky - Fuji Vegetable Oil, Inc.
Cheers to the next chapter of the NIOP logo— honoring our past while celebrating what’s ahead!
As the Communications/ Marketing Committee Chair, I’m incredibly excited to share this refreshed logo with the NIOP community This initiative was an important part of our broader effort to modernize and strengthen NIOP’s brand, ensuring that our visual identity reflects the innovative, forward-thinking organization we are today. From the very beginning, our goal was to create something that felt fresh and current, while still honoring the history and recognition our logo has carried for decades.
This was a truly collaborative and thoughtful process The committee spent considerable time reviewing multiple concepts, exploring variations, and refining each detail to ensure the final design was both meaningful and versatile across all platforms. I’m proud of the dedication, creativity, and care this group brought to the process.
The result is a logo that not only represents NIOP today, but also positions us for the future I’m grateful for the committee’s hard work in bringing this vision to life and excited for our members to see it come to life across everything we do.
Sara Repa
Bunge - Senior Manager - Customer Operations
WELCOME NIOP PRESIDENT
We are pleased to welcome Nate Smithson as NIOP’s new President!
Nate currently serves as Vice President at Moving Parts LLC, a long-time and supportive NIOP member company that provides comprehensive risk management and cash vegetable oil brokerage services within the agricultural trading markets. Through tailored solutions, Moving Parts helps clients navigate the complexities of commodity trading and optimize their market positions.
NATE SMITHSON ARRIVAL
With over 20 years of experience in agriculture, including 16 years at CHS focused on vegetable oil sales, canola processing, and risk management, Nate brings a deep understanding of the industry to his leadership role.
Nate has also been actively involved within NIOP, serving on multiple committees including the Communications Committee, Convention Committee, Nominating Committee, Oils University, as well as the Executive Committee. His long-standing engagement and commitment to the association position him well to lead NIOP forward.
We look forward to Nate’s leadership and the continued growth and success of the organization under his guidance.
ANOTE FROM
L2026-2028 NIOP President
et me take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Nate Smithson, and I am honored to have recently been elected as president of NIOP. I grew up in Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota, and my journey has taken me through 17 years with CHS before joining Moving Parts in 2017, and I have been a member of NIOP for 22 years. Today, I live in New Prague, Minnesota, with my wife Robyn and our two kids, Ben, who is 17, and Ellie, who is 14.
Our industry has experienced tremendous change in the past decade, from increased demand driven by biofuels, dietary changes due to GLP 1s, to tariffs, new capacity, and remarkable growth. Alongside these shifts, we’ve welcomed more fresh faces into the industry, which has brought new energy and perspectives.
I am genuinely excited to represent NIOP as your president over the next two years.
Through it all, NIOP has consistently provided valuable educational opportunities and engaging speaker content at our conventions, earning great feedback from attendees As we look to the future, the pace of change isn’t slowing down, and NIOP must ...
continue adapting to provide meaningful resources to our membership
We’ve established strong relationships with FOFSA and CODEX to ensure our voice is heard on product specifications and quality questions Additionally, we are actively working to build closer connections with other industry associations and stakeholders, strengthening our network and influence.
I am thrilled to take on this role and look forward to working together to guide NIOP through the next chapter Thank you for your support and engagement!
In recognition of the sustained commitment shown by our sponsors— many of whom have supported NIOP for five years or more through convention participation and sponsorship—we are proud to introduce the Sponsor Encore Series. This new feature highlights the organizations whose enduring partnerships have helped shape our programs, elevate our events, and strengthen our community year after year.
Through this series, we’ll spotlight the voices behind these long-standing relationships, offering insight into why their continued support of NIOP matters not just to their organizations, but to the future of the industry as a whole.
This month, we are pleased to feature who shared their perspective on the value of investing in the profession!
Here’s what Todd Biedenfeld (Director of Vegetable Oils and Sunflower Trading at CHS) had to say on the value of investing in NIOP
Why is it important for CHS and other companies to invest in the future through associations like NIOP?
No single company can move the industry forward alone. For CHS, supporting NIOP represents a collective investment in the people, ideas, and leadership that will shape the future of the profession. By working together through a shared platform, organizations can drive meaningful progress that benefits the entire industry.
How does supporting NIOP reflect your organization’s leadership in the industry?
Leadership requires a long-term perspective. CHS views its support of NIOP as a natural extension of that mindset By investing in the organization, CHS reinforces its commitment to helping guide the future of the vegetable oils industry and to fostering innovation, collaboration, and growth across the sector.
We thank CHS, Inc. for their continued partnership and for helping advance the mission of NIOP. Stay tuned as we continue to spotlight the sponsors whose enduring support makes our work possible.
A look back at last week’s
oilseed industry training (OIT)
We caught up with Dennis Strayer, long time OIT presenter and industry expert, on his perspective on the annual class. Check it out here!
A hallmark to NIOP, our annual Oilseed Industry Training wrapped up last week with a highly engaged and dynamic group of attendees.
transportation, and consumer trends. A highlight of the program continues to be the interactive format, where presenters not only lead sessions but also engage directly with attendees, helping connect concepts to real-world applications. This year’s class brought together 32 participants representing 18 NIOP member companies, with experience levels ranging from just a few months in the industry to more than 20 years. That mix of perspectives contributed to thoughtful discussion, indepth questions, and meaningful knowledgesharing throughout the program.
Our agenda provided a comprehensive overview of the oilseed industry from market dynamics and biofuels to processing,
But don’t just take our word for it.
Here’s what a few of our participants had to say
My most valuable takeaway was seeing so many different parts of the industry represented in one place and being part of the conversations that help drive our day‑to‑day work. It reinforced how interconnected the oilseed industry really is and how important collaboration is across the industry.
There was tremendous value in interacting directly with both presenters and other attendees. Being able to ask questions, hear different viewpoints, and learn from others’ experiences made the content even more impactful and memorable. As someone newer to networking in an industry setting like this, I was pleasantly surprised by how approachable and supportive everyone was, regardless of where they were in their careers.
I would describe OIT as a great opportunity to build industry knowledge, strengthen professional connections, and gain a clearer understanding of how our day‑to‑day roles fit into the bigger picture. Experiences like this bring excitement and passion into everyday work, which I think is incredibly important.
The interaction with presenters and other attendees was
one of my favorite aspects of the event. We had opportunities to learn from each other and connect during the event and outside of it. Being new in the industry, I found this part very beneficial to grow my network and meet people outside of my company.
Sometimes in your role, it can be easy to forget about the other aspects of the industry, but they are all connected in one way or another. Having a broader understanding makes my decisions more informed and can help me to do better at my job.
Raven Kinnetz
Cargill - Price Risk Solutions Associate
The opportunity to connect with other professionals in Oils across crushers, journalists, food customers, etc. was insightful, and everyone had their own unique insights!
As someone that works daily with futures / hedging / nonedible oil, it was a very nice reinforcement of subjects I had some prior experience in. The biofuels presentation was personally particularly helpful!
Paige Hercules
Bunge - Assistant Product ManagerPalm & Specialty Ingredients
Matt Sebaly
Bunge - Associate Crude Oils Trader
From Tara Ryan, OIT Committee Chair
The 2026 NIOP Oi Industry Training (OIT) was highest-rated class to date
We revamped the program incorporating feedback fro prior year’s attendees, cond the class into one 24-hour with a larger group, and fo increased engagement opportunities between spe attendees.
The prior evening’s networking event gave attendees and presenters a chance to get to know each other ahead of the course, setting the stage for a relaxed learning environment the following day, where questions and conversation flowed freely.
This year’s attendees had the widest range of industry expertise that we have seen in years, proving that OIT has a little something for everyone, especially those who are new to the industry. I hope attendees walked away from the course with an appreciation for all facets of the o
I hope attendees walked away from the course with an appreciation for all facets of the oilseed industry and a few more friends.
A special thanks to The CME Group for being fantastic hosts once again this year!
Tara Ryan Cargill - Senior Risk Manager
Production
Markets
Logistics,
Future
Oil
Food
Non-Food/Chemical
Biofuels/Renewables
Future
MISSING YOUR FELLOW NIOP MEMBERS?
We are too.
If you’re already missing the conversations, connections, and time spent with fellow NIOP members, you’re not alone and we have something to look forward to. Mark your calendars now for
March 21 - 24, 2027 | The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
While details are still to come, the convention remains our premier opportunity to bring the industry together for networking, insights, and meaningful discussion. We hope you’ll plan now to join us there!
