SAN ANTONIO — Kansas wheat farmer Paul Penner was elected as the new president of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) at the association’s board of directors meeting on Feb. 27. He succeeds Bing Von Bergen, who becomes immediate past-president.

“I’m very excited to serve as NAWG president and am looking forward to a productive year,” Mr. Penner said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as president and will work hard to live up to the expectations set forth.”

Mr. Penner farms near Hillsboro, Kas., where he owns and manages a cash grain farm and serves as treasurer of Risely Township. His principal crops are wheat, soybeans, grain sorghum, corn and grass hay. He also operates a custom farming enterprise.

Prior to becoming a NAWG officer, Mr. Penner held multiple leadership positions at the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, including serving as the association’s president.

He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics with a concentration in accounting from Tabor College. He is also a graduate of the wheat industry’s two leadership training programs, the Wheat Industry Leaders of Tomorrow program and the Wheat Organization Leaders of the Future program.

Other NAWG officers elected and installed at the meeting include:

• Brett Blankenship, Washtucna, Wash., as first vice-president;

• Gordon Stoner, Outlook, Mont., second vice-president;

• David Schemm, Sharon Springs, Kas., secretary-treasurer; and

• Mr. Von Bergen, Moccasin, Mont., immediate past-president.