ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, U.S. — CHS Inc. announced Nov. 22 it has named veteran agribusiness leader Carl Casale as its new president and chief executive officer, effective Jan. 1, 2011.

Casale, who most recently was executive vice-president and chief financial officer for Monsanto Company, will succeed John Johnson who will retire Dec. 31. In his previous role, Casale was responsible for finance, strategy and information technology resources.


"The CHS board believes that in Carl Casale we've found an individual whose impressive depth of domestic and global agribusiness knowledge, strategic ability, financial acumen, and leadership experience will carry CHS forward," said Michael Toelle, CHS board chairman and a Browns Valley, Minnesota, U.S., farmer.

"Most of all, we believe we've selected a candidate whose rural roots, active involvement in agriculture, personal style and values are compatible with our culture and our strong, producer-focused company," he said

Toelle said the CHS board of directors selected Casale to lead the nation’s largest producer-owned cooperative following an extensive search which included both internal and external candidates.

"I feel privileged and excited to be part of a company owned by farmers and ranchers and to help CHS embrace new opportunities to add value for producers in a dynamic global marketplace," Casale said.

Before assuming his most recent position as CFO in 2009, he was executive vice-president, strategy and operations, overseeing its strategy, manufacturing and information technology organizations. Previously he served as executive vice-president, North American commercial operations.