ICGA Announces Leadership Change

January 20, 2022
Four men in suits and shirts are standing next to each other in a room.

Today, the IL Corn Growers Association named Matt Rush, a Fairfield, IL farmer, the new Vice President of the association. Rush will serve until November 2022 after Terry Smith of Clayton, IL was unable to complete his term as Vice President. “We’re thrilled to have Matt step in as Vice President, says Marty Marr, ICGA President, “We will benefit from his leadership and strategic thinking skills.”
 

During his six-year tenure on the ICGA Board of Directors, Smith served as Industrial Committee Chair, Exports Committee Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. He also served a term on the Market Development Action Team for the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) from 2020-2021 and the NCGA Feed, Food and Industrial Action team in 2019. The association is extremely grateful for Smith’s contribution to Illinois corn farmers, specifically his extensive knowledge of ethanol issues and thanks him for his service.

The shift caused other leadership changes for the association. Don Guinnip of Marshall steps up as Chair of the Industrial Committee, Kate Danner of Aledo will serve as Chair of the Exports Committee and Dave Rylander of Victoria will serve as Chair of the Grassroots Committee. Joe Murphy of Harrisburg will remain Secretary and Mark Bunselmeyer of Maroa will remain Treasurer.

 

ICGA is left with a vacancy in District 9, serving farmers in Adams, Brown, Hancock, McDonough, Pike, and Schuyler Counties. Members who are interested in serving on the IL Corn Growers Association Board from one of these counties can express their interest by calling or emailing the IL Corn office at 309-846-6622 or kgallagher@ilcorn.org

Pictured above from left to right. Mark Bunselmeyer, Marty Marr, Matt Rush, Joe Murphy.

thumbnail Mark Lambert
By Tara Desmond March 26, 2026
IL Corn's Mark Lambert reflects on decades of ag communications from stealing the office computer to Captain Corn and DC Metro takeovers.
Oliver
By Tara Desmond March 26, 2026
Marine veteran Oliver Kragelund lost his foot in a grain bin accident in Illinois. Now he's turning that tragedy into a mission for agricultural safety.
Evan Marr, Dan Parker, Don Guinnip, Tim Thompson, Marty Marr at Illinois Capitol
By Lyndi Allen March 26, 2026
The 56th Annual Illinois Agriculture Legislative Day was held on Tuesday, March 24. ICGA leaders attended the event, then met with eight key legislators to discuss IL Corn’s priorities.
A red tractor with a large sprayer attachment moves through a field of green corn plants on a cloudy day.
By Lyndi Allen March 26, 2026
Ag Groups Urge Action on Phosphate Fertilizer Duties Impacting Farmers, filed a letter with the Department of Commerce and the nation's two largest fertilizer producers
A hand reaches for a gas pump nozzle at a station with fuel grade buttons labeled 87, 89, and 91.
By Lyndi Allen March 26, 2026
The U.S. EPA announced on March 25, 2026, that it will use its existing authority to prevent drivers from losing access to lower-cost and lower-emission E15, a higher ethanol blend
NEWS release
By Lyndi Allen March 26, 2026
ICGA Statement on E15 Waiver
Show More