Kenlon Johannes

CEO – Kansas Soybean Association | Administrator – Kansas Soybean Commission

Kenlon Johannes serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Kansas Soybean Association and Administrator of the Kansas Soybean Commission. In that role, under the direction of soybean farmer boards of directors, he manages and implements production and utilization research, domestic and international market development and education projects for the Commission and federal and state lobbying programs for the Association.
After careers as a teacher and farmer, he served as the Executive Director of the Missouri Soybean Association and Merchandising Council and the Wisconsin Corn and Soybean Program.

In these positions, he administered farmer-funded programs to enhance farmer profitability through research, market development and educational programs. Mr. Johannes was instrumental in the initial development of the biodiesel industry in the United States serving as the first Executive Director of the National Biodiesel Board.

After his stint with the National Biodiesel Board, he worked in private industry serving as the Director of Development for a biodiesel manufacturer; and for a re-refiner of motor oil. He returned to serving soybean farmers through the Kansas soybean program in March 2001.

He has participated in market development trips to Europe, Asia, Africa, and Central and South America working with national organizations and governmental agencies to assess and overcome the barriers and opportunities for the export of soybeans and soybean products to countries on these continents.