New Appointment and Leadership Elected for the Nebraska Corn Board

New leadership was recently elected to the Nebraska Corn Board at the August meeting. (L-R), Jay Reiners, past chairman; Brandon Hunnicutt, chairman; Andy Groskopf, vice chairman; and Ted Schrock, secretary/treasurer. They assume the roles immediately.

Gov. Jim Pillen recently appointed Lisa Lunz to serve as the District 4 director of the Nebraska Corn Board (NCB), which represents Knox, Cedar, Dixon, Dakota, Thurston, Burt, Dodge, Washington, Colfax, Stanton, Cuming, Wayne, Madison and Pierce counties. Lunz, from Wakefield, is replacing Debbie Borg, from Allen, who served on the board since 2013 and chose not to seek reappointment.

Lunz is a fourth-generation farmer from north of Wakefield, Nebraska. With 37 years of farming experience alongside her husband Jim, Lisa has deep roots in the agricultural community. The Lunz family grows corn and soybeans.

Lisa is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in animal science. Beyond her farm, she has served in various leadership roles, including as the Dixon County Supervisor, school board member and member of the Nebraska Soybean Board. She has also held leadership positions in the Dixon County Farm Bureau and Ag Builders of Nebraska. Lisa’s commitment to the corn industry extends beyond her farm, demonstrating her dedication to promoting Nebraska’s corn growers.

“I’m pleased to welcome Lisa Lunz to the Nebraska Corn Board,” said Brandon Hunnicutt, chairman of NCB. “With her extensive farming experience and leadership background, Lisa will be a valuable addition to our organization. We’re looking forward to her insights and contributions as we work together to promote the interests of Nebraska’s corn growers. I also want to thank Debbie Borg for her time serving on NCB. She is a big thinker who challenges the status quo, and helped push the organization further into success.”

Lunz’s position is effective immediately following her appointment by Gov. Pillen. Additionally, Dan Nerud of Crete, and Adam Grabenstein of Farnam were reappointed to serve as district 1 and 5 directors, respectively.

NCB also elected three farmers to serve leadership roles at its recent board meeting on August 19. The leadership roles are effective immediately and are year-long in duration, with the possibility of being reelected.

Brandon Hunnicutt, District 3 director, was reelected as chair of NCB. Hunnicutt farms near Giltner with his father and brother. On his farm, Hunnicutt grows yellow corn, white corn, non-GMO corn, popcorn and soybeans. He earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural business from UNL and has served on the board since 2014. Hunnicutt has also served on the National Corn Growers Association board of directors, Field to Market and in various national leadership roles.

Andy Groskopf, District 8 director, was reelected vice chair of the board. Groskopf farms near Scottsbluff, where he farms irrigated corn and dry edible beans. He has been farming for over 20 years and is the fourth generation managing the family farm. He attended Western Nebraska Community College for automotive technologies. Groskopf has been with NCB since 2018.

Ted Schrock, District 6 director, was reelected secretary/treasurer of the board. Schrock farms near Elm Creek where he farms with his father, brother, uncles, cousins and son where they grow corn, soybeans, alfalfa, wheat and run a cow-calf operation. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Schrock has served on NCB since 2018.

Jay Reiners, At Large director, continues the role of past chairman of the board after serving as chairman. Reiners lives near Juniata, where he manages the family operation. He has been farming for over 30 years and is the fourth generation managing the family farm. He graduated with an associate’s degree in general agriculture from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). Reiners has been with NCB since 2017.

“The leadership elected take on great responsibility, leading Nebraska’s corn checkoff organization in executive roles, representing all 36,000 corn farmers in the state,” said Kelly Brunkhorst, executive director of NCB. “Their continuity and experience will serve us well as we continue to promote Nebraska’s corn industry and drive initiatives that benefit our state’s corn producers.”

The full board is comprised of nine corn farmers from across the state. Eight members represent specific Nebraska districts and are appointed by the Governor of Nebraska. The Board elects a ninth at large member. Board members serve three-year terms with the possibility to be reappointed.