Chairman’s Message

SDTA’S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BOB WILLEY,, CHAIRMAN JUSTIN ANDERS, VICE CHAIRMAN TOM MURPHY, TREASURER RYAN VIESSMAN, SECRETARY JERRY OLLERICH, PAST CHAIRMAN RICK HOOGENDOORN, ATA VICE PRES. CHRISTINE ERICKSON, PRESIDENT

SDTA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS JEFF BENNETT STEVE BENNING PHILLIP CHRISTIAN DAVE DAILEY SHANNA GRAY PETE HALVERSON ERIC HAMIEL JEFF HANNAHS STEVE HOFFMAN LARRY KLAAHSEN TIM KOTALIK JUSTIN LARSON CHRIS LUTICK MATT PARKER BRETT SNOOZY RYAN VIESSMAN

SDTA’S PAST CHAIRPERSONS STAN ANDERS LARRY ANDERSON ROBERT APPELWICK DAVID BULTSMA TED BULTSMA RICH BURNS ROBERT CHRISTIAN DARROLD DEAN BERNARD FELDHAUS MIKE HABECK RICK HOOGENDOORN JERRY OLLERICH ALTON PALMER JEFF PARKER GENE PHILLIPS MICHELLE SCHIPPER RANDY THOMPSON WAYNE VIESSMAN

As I sit in my office writing my first ever column this evening after returning from the SDTA Convention in Deadwood, where I was handed the reigns and named your new Chairman, I wonder, “What have I gotten myself into?” The convention was a great success. We had great attendance and informative sessions! It is always good to renew friendships. I would like to touch on the Wholestone foods issue. From my perspective, it looks like Mr. Jeff Broin is biting the hand that feeds him. If I were a corn or pork producer, I would have to reevaluate where I sell my products. If you want to do business with agriculture, you should support them instead of trying to discourage the development of a new market. If I was on Poet’s Board of Directors, I would be asking some very hard questions. I want to thank Jerry Ollerich as he completed his position as Chairman of the Board at the Annual Convention. Jerry passed the gavel my way after serving eight of his ten year term on the Executive Board of Directors. He still has two years left to serve as the Past Chairman. I look forward to the time I will serve as your Chairman of the Board. Please let me know if there is anything you need from me or from the Association. Sincerely,

Bob Willey, SDTA Chairman

Bob Willey Trucking Gettysburg, SD