Neil Caskey, the current head of communications and industry relations efforts for the National Corn Growers Association, has been chosen as the group’s next CEO.
Caskey will assume the new role on Monday; he succeeds Jon Doggett, who left NCGA at the end of 2022 after 20 years with the organization, first in its government affairs office before four years as CEO. Caskey joined NCGA when Doggett was promoted to CEO in 2018.
Prior to his time at NCGA, Caskey was an executive vice president with the OBP Agency, an agricultural, food and tourism marketing firm. His career also includes working in industry and public relations for the American Soybean Association, as an environmental affairs representative for Ameren Corp and as a staffer on Capitol Hill for Rep. Kenny Hulshof, R-Mo., from 1997-2001.
“Neil’s experience in agriculture is extensive, and he is well known as someone who gets the job done well,” NCGA President Tom Haag said in a statement. “The board and I are certain that Neil will usher in new ideas and take the organization to new heights.”
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Ag industry officials were closely watching the search for NCGA's next CEO; the opening was seen as a rare vacancy at the helm of a major commodity group heading into farm bill reauthorization.
Caskey said being chosen to lead NCGA is “quite an honor.”
“We have a great team in place, and I look forward to forging full-speed ahead and pushing for wins on some of our top issues,” he said, specifically citing the ongoing dispute with Mexico over its planned ban on GMO corn imports, legislation to expand ethanol use, and lobbying on the upcoming farm bill.
“NCGA is on the move,” he added.
The group currently boasts nearly 40,000 members and has offices in St. Louis and Washington, D.C.
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