April 10, 2026

WASHINGTON — The Commodity Futures Trading Commission today announced the members of the Agricultural Advisory Committee. 

“I’m proud to re-launch the CFTC’s Agricultural Advisory Committee to ensure that our agricultural growers and producers have a seat at the table and have their voices heard,” Chairman Michael S. Selig said. “The AAC’s work will help ensure the CFTC’s decisions are informed by the perspectives of the agricultural industry.”

Chairman Selig is the sponsor of this committee and nominated Emma Johnston as the committee’s designated federal officer.

The AAC serves as a vital information source to promote and advise on sound policy that impacts millions of farmers and ranchers across the country. Having a direct line of communication to market participants in all aspects of the agricultural sector is essential to ensure the agency’s regulations are adapting to market and consumer needs. The following individuals have been appointed as ACC members:

  1. Gabe Afolayan, Vice President, Soybean Merchandising & Trading, Cargill 
  2. Buddy Allen, President & CEO, American Cotton Shippers Association 
  3. Dr. Melissa Bailey, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service, United States Department of Agriculture 
  4. Joe Barker, Representative, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
  5. Dr. Justin Benavidez, Chief Economist, Office of the Chief Economist, United States Department of Agriculture 
  6. Chris Betz, Representative, Michigan Agri-Business Association
  7. Robbie Boone, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and General Counsel, Farm Credit Council
  8. Gerry Corcoran, Chief Executive Officer, R.J. O’Brien, a StoneX company 
  9. Patrick Coyle, Representative, National Grain and Feed Association
  10. Daniel Diez, Representative, Cocoa Merchants Association of America 
  11. Neil Donovan, Director of Trading North America Soybeans, Bunge 
  12. Mike Drinnin, Chairman of the Live Cattle Marketing Committee, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association 
  13. Ed Elfmann, Senior Vice President, Agricultural & Rural Banking Policy, American Bankers Association
  14. Robert Froom, Representative, North American Export Grain Association 
  15. Matt Frostic, First Vice President, National Corn Growers Association 
  16. Tommy Hayden, Jr., Representative, Commodity Markets Council
  17. Ahmet Hepdogan, Representative, American Bakers Association 
  18. Tom Hoffman, Portfolio Manager, Citadel 
  19. Bryan Humphreys, Chief Executive Officer, National Pork Producers Council
  20. Sudhir Jain, Partner, Patomak Global Partners 
  21. Jeff Lloyd, Manager, Global Oilseed Risk Desk, Archer Daniels Midland
  22. Corey McCray, Vice President of Government Relations, National Oilseed Processors Association 
  23. Mark McHargue, Board of Directors, American Farm Bureau Federation
  24. Nelson Neale, Board Member, Futures Industry Association 
  25. Ethan Ongstad, Interim President, MIAX Futures Exchange, LLC
  26. Kimberly Parks, Representative, National Milk Producers Federation 
  27. Ed Prosser, Senior Vice President of Emerging Businesses, The Scoular Company
  28. Derek Sammann, Global Head of Commodities, Options, and International Markets, CME Group, Inc.
  29. Mark Scanlan, Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Rural Policy, Independent Community Bankers of America 
  30. Liam Smith, Representative, PTG
  31. Curt Strubhar, Representative, Grain and Feed Association of Illinois
  32. Brad Sullivan, Chief Operating Officer, ICE Futures US
  33. Justin Tupper, Vice President, Board of Directors, U.S. Cattlemen’s Association
  34. Wes Uhlmeyer, Senior Advisor, Greenfield Holdings, LLC
  35. Ryan Weston, Representative, American Sugar Alliance
  36. Jason Wheeler, Representative, USA Rice Federation
  37. Brandon Wipf, Director, American Soybean Association

-CFTC-