North Dakotan Jim Pellman Takes Gavel As Chairman Of U.S. Wheat Associates

Left to right: Clark Hamilton (ID), past chairman; Mike Carstensen (WA), secretary-treasurer; Jim Pellman (ND), chairman; Gary Millershaski (KS), vice chairman; Mike Spier, president and CEO.


ARLINGTON, VA. -- Jim Pellman, wheat farmer from McCluskey, ND, took the gavel as chairman of the U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) Board of Directors at the organization's summer meeting on July 17, 2025, in Boise, ID.

"Jim brings a broad skill set in agriculture and wheat production to the USW officer team," said USW President and CEO Mike Spier. "Jim deeply believes in the mission of USW to build export demand in a very competitive global market. We look forward to his continued contributions to our work that benefits wheat farmers in his home state of North Dakota and beyond."

Pellman and his wife, Candace, have two children and grow wheat, barley, canola, corn and soybeans on the farm they started in 1990 near McClusky, ND. After earning a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from North Dakota State University, Pellman worked as an ag lender and county supervisor with Farmers Home Administration and then several years as a community banker. He served as chief of his community's volunteer fire department and as chairman of a local non-profit housing organization. Pellman represents Sheridan County on the North Dakota Wheat Commission (NDWC).

"Over the last year as vice chairman, I've had the opportunity to travel and meet USW staff in a few of our 13 foreign offices, and what I have learned is that the insight they provide to our to our customers and the technical services that they provide are invaluable," said Pellman. "In my role as chairman, I plan to meet more of our customers to emphasize the importance U.S. farmers put on raising quality wheat."

The full slate of officers for USW's 2025/26 fiscal year (July to June) was elected at the winter board meeting on Jan. 15, 2025, in Washington, D.C. In addition to Pellman, Gary Millershaski of Lakin, KS, moved up in the officer rotation to vice chairman and Clark Hamilton of Ririe, ID, moved to the past chair position. Mike Carstensen of Almira, WA, was installed as the newest USW board officer as secretary-treasurer. The officers all started their official terms on July 17 following installation.

USW state wheat commission members and USW staff also gathered for updates during committee and work group meetings, discussing the USW budget, long range planning, transportation and wheat quality. In addition to officer installation, the full USW Board of Directors meeting included updates on the U.S. and world markets, food aid and industry partners as well as reports from new USW leadership staff.

About U.S. Wheat Associates

U.S. Wheat Associates' (USW) mission is to "develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance wheat's profitability for U.S. wheat producers and its value for their customers." USW activities in more than 100 countries are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 17 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service. USW maintains 15 offices strategically located around the world to help wheat buyers, millers, bakers, wheat food processors and government officials understand the quality, value and reliability of all six U.S. wheat classes. For more information, visit www.uswheat.org.


Source: U.S. Wheat Associates news release