Illinois farmer re-elected chair of group

During the United States Identity Preserved Alliance Annual Meeting in Chicago, three board directors were reelected – Jake Noll with Richland IFC, Chuck Kunisch of Michigan Agricultural Commodities and Curt Petrich with H.C. International – and officers were selected for 2026-27, with Bryan Severs reappointed chair. 

“I’m excited to lead this organization for another year,” said Severs, who raises soybeans, corn and cattle in Illinois. “The U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance is doing vital work in the identity preserved industry and I’m looking forward to continuing to work alongside my fellow board members to be a voice for industry stakeholders.”

U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance, formerly known as the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance, is the leading voice for the industry that delivers traceable, high-quality, variety-specific field crops to food markets worldwide. Noll was reelected vice chair, with Jordan Atchison remaining as secretary/treasurer.

“Over the past year, I’ve really enjoyed my time serving as vice chair of this organization,” Noll said. “I appreciate the confidence that my fellow board members have in me and for giving me the opportunity to continue serving as vice

chair.”

Atchison, who was elected to the U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance board of directors in 2024, is eager to continue advancing the identity preserved agriculture industry in the next year.

“The identity preserved agriculture industry is critical to growers, exporters and food suppliers around the world,” Atchison said. “Representing USIP Alliance as secretary/treasurer has been a gratifying experience and I’m excited to continue my tenure alongside my peers.”

For the sixth year, U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance recognized individuals who have made significant and sustaining contributions to the identity preserved agriculture industry in 2025 with its Alliance Honors. Janna Fritz, who most recently served as chair of the U.S. Soybean Export Council, received the Alliance Honor for Stewardship while Tina Lyons, founder of Double River Forwarding, received the Alliance Honor for Advancing Transportation. 

Chuck Kunisch was given the Alliance Honor for Advancing U.S. IP Alliance. While he was unable to attend the Annual Meeting to receive his award, Japanese food manufacturer Shinsuke Yamada accepted his Alliance Honor for Advancing IP while attending the U.S. Identity Preserved International Summit in Vietnam March 22-24.

“These awards recognize stewardship, as well as advancements in transportation, identity preserved agriculture and the U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance,” said Severs.

The annual meeting will be followed by U.S. Identity Preserved Alliance’s Transportation Go! conference on Wednesday and Thursday in Chicago.