Jim Seibert, manager of regulatory affairs, education and training at NGFA.

WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — Randy Gordon, president of the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA),  announced on Aug. 22 creation of an executive staff position of manager of regulatory affairs, education and training. Jim Seibert was hired to fill the position.

Previously a grain and crop inputs production supervisor for Cargill in Ravenna, Nebraska, U.S., Seibert has more than six years of experience managing facility production and regulatory compliance inspections, and conducting ongoing safety education and process improvement projects at grain elevator facilities and feed mill locations.

Gordon said that in this new role, Seibert will be responsible for developing new education and training materials to assist NGFA members in complying with safety, health and other regulatory requirements. He also will be involved in reviewing and updating the NGFA's inventory of employee safety education, training and information materials, as well as addressing grain, feed and processing facility operations issues. 

"We're very fortunate to find someone with Jim's credentials and experience in grain facility management and operations," Gordon said. "During his career with Cargill, he has developed many creative and innovative approaches to education and training, and has a genuine passion and strong commitment to employee safety and promoting excellence in operations. He will be able to hit the ground running in providing valuable tools to assist grain elevator and feed mill managers in enhancing their safety and operations programs, and creating a safety culture that is second to none."  

Gordon said creation of the new staff position responds to growing demand from the industry for continued leadership from NGFA in providing practical information needed to address regulatory compliance and operations issues. At NGFA, Seibert will report to — and work most directly with — David Fairfield, NGFA’s senior vice-president for feed services and Jess McCluer, NGFA’s vice-president of safety and regulatory affairs.

Seibert began his career working on his family's farm in south central Nebraska, U.S. He graduated from Oklahoma State University's College of Agriculture with a bachelor's degree in plant and soil sciences. After a military deployment immediately following his college education, he began work in the alfalfa feed production industry before moving into the grain operations and crop input sector. During his time in management and supervisory positions, Seibert developed a passion for regulatory compliance and safety.