The United Soybean Board announced today that Courtney Knupp will join the organization as its chief executive officer starting October 1. The Iowa native currently serves as director of global supply chain at the National Security Council, where she coordinates U.S. policy to strengthen the resilience of the agriculture and food sectors.
“Courtney is the right leader at the right time to advance the work of the Soy Checkoff℠ and our vision of delivering sustainable soy solutions to every life, every day,” said Brent Gatton, chair of the United Soybean Board. “She brings the strategic vision, deep agricultural understanding and proven leadership our farmer-leaders set out to find, along with a genuine commitment to increasing return on investment for U.S. soybean farmers. We look forward to the momentum she will bring to our mission.”
She replaces former CEO Lucas Lentsch, who resigned from the organization in February. Darryl Chatman, USB’s executive vice president of compliance, has served as interim CEO.
Knupp brings nearly two decades of experience spanning agriculture, international trade, public policy and market development. She previously served as senior policy advisor to the U.S. Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Agriculture on trade and food safety. Her checkoff and export experience includes serving as vice president of international market development at the National Pork Board, where U.S. pork exports grew to $8.6 billion, and as director of global animal and aquaculture nutrition at the U.S. Soybean Export Council, where she led strategy to increase the value of U.S. soybean and soybean meal exports. Earlier in her career, Knupp held chief of staff roles at the USDA, international trade policy for the National Pork Producers Council and held commercial roles at BASF and Elanco Animal Health. She grew up on her family’s farm in Iowa, where she remains engaged, and earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and international agriculture from Iowa State University.
“Soy touches every life, every day, from the food we eat and the feed that powers animal agriculture to fuel and industrial uses,” said Knupp in a release. “The checkoff exists to deliver value back to the farm gate, and that mission is personal to me. I grew up on our family farm in Iowa, where we still grow soybeans, and it is an honor to work alongside USB’s farmer-leaders, staff and partners to position U.S. Soy for success in a competitive global marketplace.”
Knupp will relocate to the United Soybean Board’s headquarters in Chesterfield, Mo. Knupp will remain a federal employee until early September and has recused herself from soybean matters. Her anticipated start date will be October 1.
