Approximately 200 milling industry professionals and guests attended the North American Millers’ Association’s (NAMA) annual Spring Conference, March 8-11, at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, Scottsdale, AZ.

The Spring Conference is NAMA’s largest annual education conference. “NAMA’s Spring Conference unites the entire milling value chain like no other event,” said NAMA President Jane DeMarchi. “This year’s event highlighted how the milling sector will navigate changes in the marketplace and D.C. in 2025 and beyond.”

Robert Harper (left), Hopkinsville Milling, and Jeff Zyskowski (bottom, right), Ardent Mills, with Tedd Kruse, ADM and NAMA chair, were recognized for committee service. Photos courtesy of NAMA.

During the meeting, NAMA honored committee chairs who have collectively served the association for decades:

  • Finance Committee – Robert Harper, Hopkinsville Milling.
  • FMD Committee – David Silver, Didion Inc.
  • Corn Dry Milling Conference Planning Committee – Hayes Charles, Iowa Corn Processors.
  • Supply Chain Committee – Jeff Zyskowski, Ardent Mills.
  • Technical Committee – Dave Katzke, General Mills.

Educational Presentations

The three-day program included education sessions addressing a variety of topics of interest to wheat, corn, and oat millers, including the annual Soft Wheat Forecast (see p. 24) and Canadian Crop Outlook. Other presentations included:

  • Global Oat Market Outlook – Randy Strychar, CEO, OatInformation.
  • Oats from Farm to Fork – Lorne Boundy, merchandiser, Paterson Grain.
  • Regenerative Ag and Oats – Michael Ferguson, co-founder, Collective Impact.
  • Grain Gains: Exploring Corn and Oats in Snack Evolution – David Walsh, vice president, SNAC International.
  • Corn Markets in 2025 – Mark Talaski, broker, Advance Trading Inc.
  • Post-Election Economic Outlook – Scott Colbert, executive vice president, Commerce Bank.
  • Innovation and Collaboration in the Baking Industry – Bill Quigg, CEO, Richmond Baking Co., and chair, American Bakers Association.
  • A Vision for the Future – Dr. Joseph Awika, department head-Department of Grain Science and Industry, Kansas State University.
  • Translating Consumer Trends into Opportunities – JP Frossard, vice president-Consumer Foods, Rabobank.

Several NAMA committees and the Soft Wheat, Corn, and Oat Divisions also met.

2026 Spring Conference

The 2026 Spring Conference will be March 9-13 at the Hilton Marco Island resort, Marco Island, FL.

For more information on upcoming NAMA meetings and events, go to namamillers.org/our-events.