IPSA Board Of Directors Candidate Bios
For 2009-2010
John Hennenfent, Munson Hybrids Inc., Galesburg, IL
John Hennenfent is president of Munson Hybrids Inc of Galesburg Illinois. Munson Hybrids is celebrating its 75th year in the seed industry. John began working for the company in 1987 in the production division. John has taken leadership rolls in the production, sales, and management of the company prior to 1999 when he and his wife Holly purchased the business from Lyle "Bud" and Alice Davis. They are the third owners of the company founded by Carl Munson.
Munson Hybrids produces hybrid seed corn and soybeans for its retail sales in Illinois and Wisconsin. They are also a contract producer and conditioner of seed corn and soybeans.
John Graduated from Western Illinois University in 1982 with a BS in Agriculture Business with a specialty in Professional Farm Management. Prior to joining Munson Hybrids John worked in the Farm Supply industry and managed a grain and livestock farm. John currently serves on the Illinois Foundation Seed board of directors, IPSA research committee (past chair), Knox County Corn Growers Board, Knox Ag Round Table, Galesburg FFA Boosters, and is a Trustee of their church. John and Holly have been married 27 years and have a daughter Katie, daughter Stephanie and son in law George.
Chuck Cornelius, Cornelius Seed, Bellevue, IA
Chuck Cornelius is president of Cornelius Seed, a family owned business located in the rolling hills of eastern Iowa. Cornelius Seed will celebrate their 75th anniversary in 2010. Chuck is the third generation of Cornelius' to manage the business and has been in that position since 1995. Cornelius Seed is a regional seed corn company that services corn growers in eastern Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Production, processing and retail are all a part of who Cornelius Seed is.
Chuck is a member of IPSA, ASTA and the Iowa Seed Association. He has served as a Board Member for the Iowa Crop Improvement Association. Locally Chuck has served on the Andrew School Board (president), Salem Lutheran Church Council (president, treasurer, and trustee) and a director with the Preston Mutual Insurance Association.
Chuck holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University in Agronomy and is a Certified Crop Advisor. Chuck's wife Chris of 25 years is active in the family business. Chuck and Chris have two sons. Will graduates from Iowa State University in May and plans to join the family business. James (JC) is a sophomore also at Iowa State. Chuck enjoys bow hunting, golf, "old guys" basketball and Cyclone sports.
Carl Peterson, Peterson Farms Seed, Harwood, ND
Carl Peterson manages Peterson Farms Seed, a corn and soybean seed company, serving the upper plains of North Dakota and Minnesota. Founded in 1994, Peterson Farms Seed has enjoyed continuous growth beginning with branded soybeans and adding branded corn in 2003. In addition to branded seed, the company performs extensive contract replicated testing across the region, as well as contracted varietal increase plots.
Carl earned a B.S. from Iowa State University, an M.S. in Ag. Economics from Purdue University and a M.B.A. from The Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Carl has served in leadership positions with the ND Soybean Growers Association, County Farm Bureau, as well as on church and local boards.
Carl and his wife Julie, have three children, one who is still in high school. His hobbies include reading, skiing, and music and he plays keyboard and sings in his church's worship band.