KANSAS CITY — Robert Petersen has been named executive director of the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City, effective immediately.

Mr. Petersen will be the first executive director of the group, which was established in 2003.

Chairmen of the council since then have been Mike Beam with the Kansas Livestock Association and Mr. Petersen. Mr. Petersen, in turn, was succeeded by Elvin Hollon, an executive with Dairy Farmers of America.
Naming Mr. Petersen as executive director was “a natural,” said Mr. Hollon.

“Bob Petersen has helped the Agricultural Business Council elevate its profile and activity level tremendously during his two years as chairman,” he said. “We are pleased to be able to retain him and his firm, Petersen Consulting Services, to act as our executive director.”

Mr. Petersen has been involved in the grain and agricultural fields for decades. Before launching his consulting business, he was president of the Kansas City Board of Trade between 2000 and 2004 and was president of the National Grain Trade Council in Washington from 1980 to 2000.

The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City, in addition to filling its role as an advocate for agricultural and agribusiness, last year honored several regional leaders with its first Jay B. Dillingham Award for Agricultural Leadership and Excellence.

Inaugural honorees were R. Crosby Kemper, Jr., UMB Financial Corp.; Morton I. Sosland, Sosland Publishing Co.; and Joerg Ohle, Bayer Animal Health. In addition, the group honored Gina Bowman, CVR Energy, as its outstanding volunteer of the year. Ms Bowman was the founder of the council.

The Council's mission is to enhance greater understanding about agriculture by bringing together Kansas and Missouri agricultural organizations, agribusinesses and other key leaders.

The alliance includes more than 300 individuals, businesses and organizations associated with the extensive agricultural and food industry.