2026 Speakers
Matt Roberts - Keynote Speaker
Matt Roberts is founder of The Kernmantle Group, an economics research and training consultancy. Dr. Roberts is a nationally-renowned expert and speaker on the grain and energy markets. He has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Tribune, Associated Press, and Forbes, and has been interviewed on CNBC. Roberts received a B.A. in Economics from William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, and a Ph.D. in Economics from North Carolina State University. Prior to graduate school, Roberts worked as a commodity and energy derivatives broker in Vienna, Austria and as a market research consultant to the pharmaceutical industry in North Carolina. From 2001 through 2016, Roberts was an Assistant and Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at The Ohio State University. Dr. Robert sis also CEO of 5.Life, a chain of 4 indoor rock climbing gyms in Ohio and Pennsylvania. He has four children and a grandchild.
Bob Logan - Keynote Speaker
Bob Logan has walked many paths in life, both literally and figuratively. He is clearly comfortable taking risks and going against the flow, and he believes whole-heartedly in the transformative power of embracing change. In fact, that is one of his key messages – take the road less traveled, and you will marvel about what you learn from the people, places and opportunities along the journey.
Follow Bob as he shares stories about coaching football in Italy, raising millions of dollars for philanthropy, serving the community through nonprofit board leadership and finally taking the spiritual pilgrimage of the 500-mile Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain.
He provides insights on how to push your own boundaries and approach life from a totally different perspective. He works with your team to truly understand the balancing act of life and feel empowered to live in a dramatically different way.
Bob takes the audience through his personal journey of loss, recovery and rediscovery. He believes that building and maintaining strong relationships with family, friends and faith is a cornerstone to happiness and success. His humorous and friendly delivery draws audiences in and wins them over. Join Bob on his journey and you may just find the inspiration to pursue a new path yourself.
Don Day Jr.
Don Day Jr. is president and chief meteorologist of DayWeather, Inc., a Cheyenne, WY based weather forecasting/consulting firm.
For over 30 years, Don and his DayWeather meteorologists have provided customized broadcast weather services to over 70 radio stations across the west as well as specializing in weather forecasting and analysis for agriculture, construction, transportation and stratospheric balloons, airships, and very high-altitude experiments.
Don was the chief meteorologist for Felix Baumgartner’s record and groundbreaking Red Bull Stratos Stratospheric sky dive (2012) and also was chief meteorologist for Google’s Alan Eustace stratospheric jump in 2014 (Stratex). Don was also the lead weather adviser for skydiver Luke Aikins’ “Heaven Sent – No Parachute Jump” Fox Network 2016 as well as weather advisor/producer for Magician David Blaine's Ascension (Youtube 2020).
Andrew Fontaine - Spokane Seed Company
Andrew Fontaine - Spokane Seed Company
Andrew Fontaine - Spokane Seed Company
Pea and Lentil Report
Born and raised in the Seattle area, Andrew became a loyal alumnus of Washington State University in 2000, graduating with an Advertising/Marketing degree. As the President / G. M. for Spokane Seed Company, Andrew is responsible for all daily operations as well as all Domestic and International trading for the 118-ye
Pea and Lentil Report
Born and raised in the Seattle area, Andrew became a loyal alumnus of Washington State University in 2000, graduating with an Advertising/Marketing degree. As the President / G. M. for Spokane Seed Company, Andrew is responsible for all daily operations as well as all Domestic and International trading for the 118-year-old company. Spokane Seed Company prides itself on supreme processing that permits them to supply the largest and most recognized food companies in the world.
Andrew is a fourth-generation pulse trader with 25 years’ experience selling Peas, Lentils and Chickpeas. He is a very active member of the US Dry Pea and Lentils Council. Andrew serves on the board of the American Pule Association as well as Domestic Marketing Committee Chairman. In his spare time, he enjoys many outdoor activities and spending time with his wife and three sons.
Landon Cross - Bunge Canada Inc.
Andrew Fontaine - Spokane Seed Company
Andrew Fontaine - Spokane Seed Company
Canadian Crop Report
Originally from Brandon, Manitoba, Landon graduated from the University of Regina with a bachelor’s in Business Administration, majoring in finance, and obtained certificates in Economics and local government authority.
Landon is in his sixth year at Bunge Canada Inc., with the first two years spent on the oilseeds des
Canadian Crop Report
Originally from Brandon, Manitoba, Landon graduated from the University of Regina with a bachelor’s in Business Administration, majoring in finance, and obtained certificates in Economics and local government authority.
Landon is in his sixth year at Bunge Canada Inc., with the first two years spent on the oilseeds desk, managing the logistics while trading flax. Landon actively trades special crops including mustard, edible beans, and canary seed.
Danny Raulerson - US Dry Bean Council
Andrew Fontaine - Spokane Seed Company
Danny Raulerson - US Dry Bean Council
Danny Raulerson is the new Executive Director of the US Dry Bean Council. He is a 6th generation Floridian that has roots in US Agriculture dating back to the mid 1700's before the Revolutionary War. He grew up in Southwest Florida working on various agriculture operations ranging from vegetable farms to citrus groves. He also financ
Danny Raulerson is the new Executive Director of the US Dry Bean Council. He is a 6th generation Floridian that has roots in US Agriculture dating back to the mid 1700's before the Revolutionary War. He grew up in Southwest Florida working on various agriculture operations ranging from vegetable farms to citrus groves. He also financed his college career by day-working on cattle ranches in South Florida. He graduated from the University of Florida with two B.S. degrees in Agriculture majoring in Animal Science and Ag Operations Management, both specializing in production management. His professional career began with the Florida Farm Bureau Federation in Ag Policy and Field Services. Since then he has held positions in vegetable seed sales, and advocated for the specialty crop industry for the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association. Danny also held the position of Bureau Chief of State Farmers Markets with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Prior to joining the USDBC, he was the Executive Director of the Cranberry Marketing Committee, a Federal Marketing Order representing the US cranberry industry. Danny continues to live in Florida and has two children, a son who is active military in the Army, and a daughter who is enlisted in the Florida Air National Guard.
Raul Caballero - US Dry Bean Council
Raul Caballero - US Dry Bean Council
Danny Raulerson - US Dry Bean Council
Raul Caballero, a native Mexican majored in business and marketing from Mexico´s Tech University is the CEO of Mercalimentos Consultores, a Mexican trade marketing and communications agency specializing in food and agriculture. With its wife and partner Violeta Picazzo, they have represented the USDCBC for 30 years, serving on all the
Raul Caballero, a native Mexican majored in business and marketing from Mexico´s Tech University is the CEO of Mercalimentos Consultores, a Mexican trade marketing and communications agency specializing in food and agriculture. With its wife and partner Violeta Picazzo, they have represented the USDCBC for 30 years, serving on all the strategic needs that the US dry bean industry has required to successfully enjoy the largest single market for US dry bean exports. Caballero and Picazzo also represent the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council, the USA Sunflower Association, Food Export Association Midwest and Northeast and the Cherry Marketing Institute.
Jose Barrios - US Dry Bean Council
Raul Caballero - US Dry Bean Council
Jose Barrios - US Dry Bean Council
Jose is the Co-founder of Merkato, an agribusiness company focused on trade development, market research, market access, and brand building for U.S. agricultural products in the Americas. With over 15 years of experience and representing the U.S. Dry Bean Council since 2018, he has led efforts to grow exports of beans, chickpeas, corn, s
Jose is the Co-founder of Merkato, an agribusiness company focused on trade development, market research, market access, and brand building for U.S. agricultural products in the Americas. With over 15 years of experience and representing the U.S. Dry Bean Council since 2018, he has led efforts to grow exports of beans, chickpeas, corn, soy, genetics, and U.S. meats across LATAM countries.
He holds a Master of Science in Sustainable International Agriculture with a specialization in International Agribusiness and Rural Development from the University of Göttingen and the University of Kassel, as part of a double degree program with the University of Talca, Chile.