Ankeny, Iowa— The Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) elected its officers during the organization’s annual meeting in Anaheim, California, on November 20, 2025.
During the annual meeting, Raylen Phelon of Melvern, Kansas, was elected chairman. Phelon has served as the STC vice chairman over the past year. He and his wife, Karen, have three children and raise soybeans, corn, wheat, cattle, and hay. Phelon also serves as vice chairman of the Kansas Soybean Commission.
“I appreciate the opportunity to serve as chairman of the Soy Transportation Coalition,” said Phelon. “One of the reasons I am so enthusiastic about serving in this role is that the STC is an organization that gets real things done and continues to keep its focus where it should be – helping farmers be more successful. I look forward to helping continue this record of success.”
C.J. Chalfant, a soybean and corn farmer from Hartford City, Indiana, was elected vice chairman. He and his wife, Abbey, have two children. Chalfant served as STC secretary-treasurer over the past year. He also serves as a director on the Indiana Soybean Alliance.
“One of the most effective ways to improve the competitiveness of soybean farmers is to improve our transportation system,” said Chalfant. “The Soy Transportation Coalition continues to explore and pursue opportunities to enhance rural roads and bridges, highways and interstates, our freight railroads, our inland waterways, and our ports. Each link in the supply chain is important. I look forward to continuing to help move the needle in these areas on behalf of my fellow soybean farmers.”
Nathan White, a soybean and corn farmer from Norborne, Missouri, was elected secretary-treasurer. Nathan is married to his wife, Kylie. He also serves as a director on the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council.
“I appreciate the opportunity to continue serving my fellow soybean farmers in this new capacity,” said White. “The soybean industry is currently experiencing a lot of challenges and uncertainty. By improving the transportation system farmers rely upon, we can make a positive difference. I look forward to continuing to serve on this very effective organization.”
In addition to the business meeting, the STC board toured the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach and met with senior leaders from both organizations. The STC continues to explore and pursue opportunities to collaborate with the Ports at Los Angeles and Long Beach to enhance the cost-effectiveness, reliability, and competitiveness of the soybean supply chain.
Mike Koehne of Greensburg, Indiana, concluded his service on the STC board due to term limits. Koehne served as chairman of the STC over the past year. During the annual meeting, the STC board recognized Koehne for his years of service to the organization – particularly as a past chairman. Koehne will continue his service to the soybean industry as a director on the American Soybean Association, and the U.S. Soybean Export Council.
“Serving on the Soy Transportation Coalition has been a highlight during my time volunteering for the soybean industry,” said Koehne. “I look forward to watching the organization continue to be an effective advocate for U.S. soybean farmers. My congratulations to Raylen, CJ, and Nathan as the newly elected officers of the STC. I will always look back on my time with the STC and be grateful to have served with a fantastic organization.”
“It is a true pleasure and honor to work on behalf of such a group of exceptional farmer leaders,” explains Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition. “I look forward to working with Chairman Phelon, Vice Chairman Chalfant, and Secretary-Treasurer White in continuing to build on our momentum. I sincerely appreciate the years of service of Mike Koehne. He is a passionate and effective leader on behalf of the soybean industry. He helped make the STC better.”