CHS Executive and Leadership Team

Olivia Nelligan, the Executive VP, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Strategy Officer at CHS, manages the financial health and long-term strategic direction of the cooperative. Nelligan oversees capital allocation, risk management, and investment planning to ensure sustainable growth across energy and grain markets. By analyzing global economic trends, the Executive VP, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Strategy Officer identifies opportunities for market expansion and operational efficiency. This leadership role involves frequent engagement with the Board to align financial performance with the needs of farmer-owners. Olivia Nelligan drives the development of strategic initiatives that strengthen the balance sheet while supporting essential infrastructure projects. Through disciplined fiscal oversight, Nelligan ensures that the cooperative maintains the liquidity required to navigate volatile commodity markets. The Executive VP, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Strategy Officer provides the analytical foundation for all major business decisions, securing the financial future of the organization while delivering consistent value to the agricultural community.

Leon Westbrock, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Crop Inputs at CHS, directs the procurement and distribution of essential agricultural supplies. Westbrock manages the complex logistics required to deliver fertilizers and crop protection products to farmers across North American markets. By optimizing supply chain efficiency, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Crop Inputs ensures that producers maintain high yields throughout the growing season. This leadership role involves close collaboration with regional cooperatives to align product availability with seasonal demand cycles. Leon Westbrock drives the strategic expansion of input services, enhancing the competitive position of the cooperative within the global agribusiness sector. Through rigorous oversight of inventory management and vendor relationships, Westbrock secures the necessary resources to support large-scale farming operations. The Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Crop Inputs remains focused on delivering value to members by streamlining the path from manufacturing to the field.

David Black, the Executive VP, Enterprise Transformation & Chief Information Officer at CHS, architects the digital infrastructure supporting global agribusiness operations. Black oversees the integration of advanced data analytics and information systems to modernize internal business processes. By implementing scalable technology solutions, the Executive VP, Enterprise Transformation & Chief Information Officer enables real-time decision-making across the entire supply chain. This leadership role requires constant alignment with corporate goals to ensure that digital tools enhance productivity for farmers and energy customers alike. David Black drives the enterprise-wide shift toward automated workflows, reducing operational friction in international grain marketing. Through the deployment of secure, high-performance computing environments, Black protects critical data assets while fostering innovation. The Executive VP, Enterprise Transformation & Chief Information Officer maintains a focus on long-term technological agility, ensuring that the cooperative remains at the forefront of the digital agricultural revolution while supporting diverse energy and food supply chain requirements.

Laura Reinhardt, the Chief Operations Officer at CHS, directs the day-to-day execution of grain marketing and logistics services. Reinhardt oversees the movement of agricultural commodities through a vast network of terminals, rail assets, and shipping channels. By optimizing the physical supply chain, the Chief Operations Officer ensures that grain reaches global markets with maximum efficiency and minimal delay. This leadership role requires constant coordination with regional managers to maintain high safety and performance standards across all facilities. Laura Reinhardt drives operational excellence by implementing lean processes that reduce waste and improve throughput in grain handling. Through the management of complex logistics, Reinhardt supports the cooperative's mission to connect producers to international buyers. The Chief Operations Officer focuses on maintaining the reliability of the infrastructure, ensuring that the organization meets the demands of a global food supply chain while upholding the highest standards of operational integrity and service quality.

Brandon Smith, the Executive VP & General Counsel at CHS, manages all legal affairs, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance matters. Smith oversees the legal framework governing international trade, energy contracts, and cooperative membership agreements. By providing strategic counsel to the executive team, the Executive VP & General Counsel mitigates risk and ensures adherence to complex agricultural and energy regulations. This leadership role involves navigating the legal challenges associated with global market operations and cross-border supply chain logistics. Brandon Smith drives the development of policies that protect the interests of farmer-owners while fostering ethical business practices. Through the oversight of litigation and contract negotiations, Smith secures the legal standing of the organization in diverse jurisdictions. The Executive VP & General Counsel maintains a focus on proactive compliance, ensuring that all business activities align with legal requirements while supporting the overarching mission of the cooperative to provide essential services to the agricultural sector.