JDH Executive and Leadership Team

November, 2026

Leadership Overview

JDH has 7 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, operational management, and commodity trading.

Rooted in a legacy of commodity excellence, JDH maintains a commitment to high-integrity feed solutions and logistical precision across North American markets, fostering long-term partnerships within the agribusiness sector.

Leadership Roles at JDH

  • Chief Executive Officer - Ryan Pellett
  • Chairman & Chief Executive Officer - Jefferson Hillman
  • Independent Industry Consultant and JDH President and Chief Executive Officer - Duane Fischer
  • Chief Financial Officer - Joshua Ludington
  • President & Chief Operating Officer - Aaron Reid
  • President, Hawkeye Gold - Chris Arnold
  • President - Scot Hillman
  • Ryan Pellett - Chief Executive Officer

    Ryan Pellett, the Chief Executive Officer at JDH, directs the overarching strategic vision for commodity trading and feed distribution. Pellett manages the decentralized operational model, ensuring regional decision-making remains agile across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. By prioritizing logistical excellence, the Chief Executive Officer optimizes supply chain efficiency for food and beverage manufacturers and bio-fuel producers. Ryan Pellett maintains a safety-focused culture, driving internal standards that protect both employees and the broader agribusiness ecosystem. This leadership role involves constant engagement with market fluctuations to secure reliable access to grains and co-products. Through rigorous oversight of corporate performance, Pellett sustains the long-term viability of the organization. The Chief Executive Officer balances immediate market demands with the historical integrity of the firm, ensuring consistent value delivery to all clients. Pellett reinforces the company mission by fostering honest, consultative partnerships that define the JDH market presence.

    Jefferson Hillman - Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

    Jefferson Hillman, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at JDH, governs the strategic direction and long-term governance of the enterprise. Hillman oversees the alignment of family-owned values with modern commodity trading requirements, ensuring the firm remains a leader in animal feed solutions. The Chairman & Chief Executive Officer drives the expansion of market reach throughout North America, focusing on high-integrity relationships with key agribusiness stakeholders. Jefferson Hillman manages the board-level interactions, setting the tone for corporate culture and safety initiatives. By architecting the high-level business model, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer ensures that JDH maintains its competitive edge in grain and co-product distribution. This role involves navigating complex industry landscapes to provide reliable, consultative support to bio-fuel producers and manufacturers. Hillman secures the future of the organization by emphasizing decentralized operational excellence and consistent, honest communication across all regional divisions, ultimately strengthening the market position of the company.
    Jefferson Hillman

    Duane Fischer - Independent Industry Consultant and JDH President and Chief Executive Officer

    Duane Fischer, the Independent Industry Consultant and JDH President and Chief Executive Officer at JDH, executes critical operational strategies to enhance commodity trading efficiency. Fischer directs the integration of specialized industry knowledge into the daily feed solutions provided to clients across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. The Independent Industry Consultant and JDH President and Chief Executive Officer manages the intersection of consultative partnerships and logistical execution, ensuring timely product delivery for food and beverage manufacturers. Duane Fischer drives the implementation of safety-focused protocols, maintaining the high standards expected within the agribusiness sector. This leadership role involves analyzing market trends to optimize grain and co-product availability. By coordinating with other executive leaders, Fischer ensures that the decentralized model functions effectively to meet regional demands. The Independent Industry Consultant and JDH President and Chief Executive Officer supports the company mission by refining operational processes, thereby securing reliable access to essential commodities for all partners.

    Joshua Ludington - Chief Financial Officer

    Joshua Ludington, the Chief Financial Officer at JDH, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies necessary for sustained commodity trading growth. Ludington oversees financial reporting, risk management, and investment planning to support the decentralized operations across North America. The Chief Financial Officer drives the financial stability of the organization, ensuring that resources are effectively deployed to maintain logistical excellence in grain and animal feed distribution. Joshua Ludington collaborates with the executive team to align budgetary goals with the long-term mission of providing high-integrity solutions to agribusiness clients. This role involves monitoring market volatility and implementing hedging strategies to protect the company from commodity price fluctuations. By maintaining rigorous financial controls, the Chief Financial Officer supports the safety-focused culture and operational efficiency of the firm. Ludington ensures that the financial infrastructure remains robust, enabling the company to continue delivering reliable, consultative partnerships to bio-fuel producers and manufacturers throughout the region.

    Aaron Reid - President & Chief Operating Officer

    Aaron Reid, the President & Chief Operating Officer at JDH, directs the day-to-day operational activities and logistical frameworks that define the company. Reid oversees the movement of grains and co-products, ensuring that the decentralized model delivers consistent results to clients in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. The President & Chief Operating Officer drives the implementation of safety-focused culture initiatives across all regional facilities. Aaron Reid manages the operational teams responsible for maintaining high-integrity feed solutions for food and beverage manufacturers and bio-fuel producers. This leadership role involves optimizing supply chain workflows to enhance reliability and speed of delivery. By coordinating with other executives, Reid ensures that operational capacity aligns with strategic market goals. The President & Chief Operating Officer focuses on building honest, consultative relationships with customers, reinforcing the reputation of the firm. Through meticulous management of internal processes, Reid sustains the operational excellence required to thrive in the competitive agribusiness landscape.

    Chris Arnold - President, Hawkeye Gold

    Chris Arnold, the President, Hawkeye Gold at JDH, leads the specialized division focused on high-quality commodity products and market-specific feed solutions. Arnold directs the strategic growth of the Hawkeye Gold brand, ensuring that product offerings meet the rigorous demands of food and beverage manufacturers. The President, Hawkeye Gold manages the regional operations and logistical networks that support the broader company mission of providing reliable access to grains and co-products. Chris Arnold drives the development of consultative partnerships, ensuring that clients receive tailored solutions that enhance their own production capabilities. This leadership role involves overseeing the safety and quality standards that define the brand within the agribusiness sector. By focusing on operational excellence, the President, Hawkeye Gold ensures that the division contributes effectively to the overall success of the firm. Arnold maintains a commitment to honest relationships, fostering trust with customers across North America while navigating the complexities of the commodity market.

    Scot Hillman - President

    Scot Hillman, the President at JDH, oversees the execution of corporate strategy and the maintenance of high-integrity business practices across the organization. Hillman directs the expansion of regional operations, ensuring that the decentralized model effectively serves clients in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. The President manages the alignment of commodity trading activities with the long-term mission of providing reliable feed solutions to agribusiness sectors. Scot Hillman drives the development of consultative partnerships, ensuring that food and beverage manufacturers and bio-fuel producers receive consistent, high-quality service. This leadership role involves fostering a safety-focused culture that protects employees and enhances operational efficiency. By coordinating with the executive team, the President ensures that the firm remains responsive to market changes and logistical challenges. Hillman reinforces the commitment to honest relationships, which serves as the foundation for the market impact of the company. Through strategic oversight, the President sustains the legacy of the firm while driving future growth.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding JDH Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads JDH?
    JDH is led by Ryan Pellett (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Jefferson Hillman (Chairman & Chief Executive Officer) and Duane Fischer (Independent Industry Consultant and JDH President and Chief Executive Officer).
    Who is part of JDH’s executive team?
    The executive team of JDH includes leaders such as Ryan Pellett (Chief Executive Officer), Jefferson Hillman (Chairman & Chief Executive Officer), Duane Fischer (Independent Industry Consultant and JDH President and Chief Executive Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does JDH have?
    JDH has 7 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in JDH’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of JDH includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Independent Industry Consultant and JDH President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President & Chief Operating Officer.