CFTC Reintroduces Agricultural Advisory Committee and Announces Members

Release Number 9209-26

CFTC Announces Agricultural Advisory Committee Members

April 10, 2026

WASHINGTON — The Commodity Futures Trading Commission today announced the members of the Agricultural Advisory Committee.

“I’m proud to re-launch the CFTC’s Agricultural Advisory Committee to ensure that our agricultural growers and producers have a seat at the table and have their voices heard,” Chairman Michael S. Selig said. “The AAC’s work will help ensure the CFTC’s decisions are informed by the perspectives of the agricultural industry.”

Chairman Selig is the sponsor of this committee and nominated Emma Johnston as the committee’s designated federal officer.

The AAC serves as a vital information source to promote and advise on sound policy that impacts millions of farmers and ranchers across the country. Having a direct line of communication to market participants in all aspects of the agricultural sector is essential to ensure the agency’s regulations are adapting to market and consumer needs. The following individuals have been appointed as ACC members:

1. Gabe Afolayan, Vice President, Soybean Merchandising & Trading, Cargill
2. Buddy Allen, President & CEO, American Cotton Shippers Association
3. Dr. Melissa Bailey, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service, United States Department of Agriculture
4. Joe Barker, Representative, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
5. Dr. Justin Benavidez, Chief Economist, Office of the Chief Economist, United States Department of Agriculture
6. Chris Betz, Representative, Michigan Agri-Business Association
7. Robbie Boone, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and General Counsel, Farm Credit Council
8. Gerry Corcoran, Chief Executive Officer, R.J. O’Brien, a StoneX company
9. Patrick Coyle, Representative, National Grain and Feed Association
10. Daniel Diez, Representative, Cocoa Merchants Association of America
11. Neil Donovan, Director of Trading North America Soybeans, Bunge
12. Mike Drinnin, Chairman of the Live Cattle Marketing Committee, National Cattlemen's Beef Association
13. Ed Elfmann, Senior Vice President, Agricultural & Rural Banking Policy, American Bankers Association
14. Robert Froom, Representative, North American Export Grain Association
15. Matt Frostic, First Vice President, National Corn Growers Association
16. Tommy Hayden, Jr., Representative, Commodity Markets Council
17. Ahmet Hepdogan, Representative, American Bakers Association
18. Tom Hoffman, Portfolio Manager, Citadel
19. Bryan Humphreys, Chief Executive Officer, National Pork Producers Council
20. Sudhir Jain, Partner, Patomak Global Partners
21. Jeff Lloyd, Vice President, Global Oilseed Risk Desk, Archer Daniels Midland
22. Corey McCray, Vice President of Government Relations, National Oilseed Processors Association
23. Mark McHargue, Board of Directors, American Farm Bureau Federation
24. Nelson Neale, Board Member, Futures Industry Association
25. Ethan Ongstad, Interim President, MIAX Futures Exchange, LLC
26. Kimberly Parks, Representative, National Milk Producers Federation
27. Ed Prosser, Senior Vice President of Emerging Businesses, The Scoular Company
28. Derek Sammann, Global Head of Commodities, Options, and International Markets, CME Group, Inc.
29. Mark Scanlan, Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Rural Policy, Independent Community Bankers of America
30. Liam Smith, Representative, PTG
31. Curt Strubhar, Representative, Grain and Feed Association of Illinois
32. Brad Sullivan, Chief Operating Officer, ICE Futures US
33. Justin Tupper, Vice President, Board of Directors, U.S. Cattlemen's Association
34. Wes Uhlmeyer, Chief Executive Officer, Greenfield Holdings, LLC
35. Ryan Weston, Representative, American Sugar Alliance
36. Jason Wheeler, Representative, USA Rice Federation
37. Brandon Wipf, Director, American Soybean Association -CFTC-