Weinzierl Wins Award

June 15, 2023

The 2023 Rail & Maritime Summit, a prominent event that unites distinguished professionals from the rail and maritime sectors, has proudly presented the esteemed Diolkos Award to Rod Weinzierl, Executive Director at IL Corn, for his exceptional vision, leadership, and significant contributions to the supply chain industry and his community. The award, named after the historic Diolkos Wagonway of Ancient Greece, recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exemplary achievements in shaping the supply chain landscape, reminiscent of the world's first supply chain and early rail transport system.

 

The Rail & Maritime Summit serves as a crucial platform for industry leaders in both the rail and maritime sectors, fostering collaborative cooperation and encouraging innovative strategies to enhance profitability and operational efficiency. By bringing together influential figures from the brown and blue water industries, the summit creates an ideal environment for networking, knowledge sharing, and exploring new avenues for growth.

 

Mr. Weinzierl's invaluable contributions and achievements within the industry have set him apart as a trailblazer and catalyst for positive change. His dedication to improving efficiency, reducing costs, and sstrategic collaborations has garnered widespread recognition and admiration from peers, experts, and stakeholders alike.

 

"I am truly humbled and honored to receive the prestigious Diolkos Award at the 2023 Rail & Maritime Summit," said Rod Weinzierl. "This recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of the entire ag community and the unwavering support of my colleagues and mentors. I am committed to continuing my pursuit of excellence, driving innovation, making a lasting impact on the ag industry and consistently representing what's important to farmers in Illinois."

 

The Rail & Maritime Summit has once again proved to be a pivotal gathering, fostering collaboration, and inspiring future-oriented strategies for growth and sustainability. The event serves as a catalyst for industry-wide progress, offering a platform for influential leaders like Mr. Weinzierl to exchange ideas, address challenges, and shape the future of rail and maritime operations.

thumbnail of aul
By Tara Desmond December 30, 2025
Illinois waterways move over 70M tons of goods each year — including corn. 🚢🌽 Learn why aging locks & dams need urgent modernization.
video icons
By Tara Desmond December 30, 2025
Watch the top 10 most-viewed videos of 2025, featuring farmer stories, trade insights, and the moments shaping Illinois agriculture.
icons floating above cornfield
By Tara Desmond December 30, 2025
Explore the most-read Illinois corn stories of 2025, from policy and markets to innovation and farmer impact, plus weekly updates and member stories.
Mark Bunselmeyer
By Lyndi Allen December 30, 2025
Meet IL Corn Growers Association President, Mark Bunselmeyer of Decatur, IL. Mark farms in Macon County, where he grows corn and soybeans.
captain next to a tree
By Tara Desmond December 23, 2025
This season, we pulled together a few fun reminders of how corn connects farm life to Christmas traditions — both on and off the farm.
harvest
By Tara Desmond December 23, 2025
Illinois farmers and farm families were well represented in the 2025 Fields of Corn Photo Contest, hosted by the National Corn Growers Association.
Show More