鈥淥ver those many years, we have developed friendships that have added value to our membership and helped us move business forward,鈥� Westendorf said. 鈥淭he Association provides vital connections for innovative farm equipment manufacturers to learn from one another and from leading industry experts. You cannot leave an Association event without new ideas. They come from every direction.鈥�

The Board of Directors elected him Wednesday, Oct. 28, to a one-year term to begin immediately. Serving alongside Westendorf will be:

First Vice President Tim Burenga, vice president of sales and purchasing at Worksaver, Inc., in Litchfield, Ill.

Second Vice President Ben Hellbusch, vice president of sales and marketing at Duo Lift Manufacturing Co. and general manager at Busch Equipment Co., both in Columbus, Neb.

Treasurer Paul Jeffrey, general manager at MacDon in Kansas City, Mo.

Secretary Randy Reinke, CEO of Custom Products of Litchfield, Inc., in Litchfield, Minn.

Ex officio Janea Danuser, vice president and co-owner of Danuser Machine Company in Fulton, Mo., who preceded Westendorf as president.

The officer election followed an annual business meeting and presentation in which Association members re-elected Westendorf, Danuser, and Reinke to three-year terms as directors. Members also re-elected and elected these executives to three-year terms:

Mark Lamboley, vice president of HCC, Inc., in Mendota, Ill., to a second term.

Jeff Daniel, OEM/export manager for Yetter Mfg., in Colchester, Ill., to a first term.

The companies these officers and directors represent have a collective 334 years of membership in the Association.

Daniel, who is beginning his first term on the board, described the election as a 鈥減rivilege鈥� and said the 鈥渆ntrepreneurial spirit of the member companies鈥� will guide the board as it seeks to expand the Association鈥檚 footprint in North America and collectively strengthen the shortline industry and member companies.

In addition to the elections, member executives heard thoughts from former Trump administration insider Ray Starling on what issues they should watch closely as the U.S. moves past the presidential election and North America continues to navigate the challenges of COVID-19.