The North American Millers’ Association (NAMA) announced that D. Ford Mennel, president of the Mennel Milling Company, was elected as the chairman of the NAMA Board of Directors for the 2020-2022 term, succeeding Robert Harper of Hopkinsville Milling Company.
“We are thankful for the decades of service Robert Harper has given the industry.
As chairman, he drove NAMA forward as an organization while maintaining our strength representing a diverse membership,” said Jane DeMarchi, NAMA president.
Ford Mennel is president of The Mennel Milling Company in Fostoria, Ohio. He is the fifth-generation
member of the Mennel family to lead the business. The company produces wheat flour, baking mixes, popcorn, and other food ingredients and operates seven flour mills, two bakery mix manufacturing facilities, a popcorn plant, and logistics and distribution companies in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina and Virginia.
Mr. Mennel holds a Bachelor’s degree from Mercyhurst University and an MBA from Averett University. He previously served as vice-chairman of NAMA and is active in SNAC International, American Bakers Association, and Baking Industry Alliance.
Mr. Mennel also sits on the board of directors of Sutton Bank, is currently the chairman of the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation and serves on the board of trustees of Tiffin University.
“NAMA has been very fortunate to have Robert Harper as our chairman for the last two years. Robert
has given selflessly to the affairs of the association, helping us all to make our industry stronger and
more vibrant,” said Mennel. “It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve the North American Millers’ Association as chairman.
We are fortunate to have so many active members who give generously of their time and resources to further the interests of the industry.
The association will be well served by the new chairman and board”, said Harper.
Brian Doyle, president of King Milling Company (Lowell, MI) was also elected as NAMA vice chairman,
for the 2020-2022 term. Trey Sebus, Bartlett Milling Co. and Dan Fetherston, SEMO
Milling LLC, were also elected to three-year terms (2020-2023) on the NAMA executive committee.
NAMA is the trade association of the wheat, corn, oat, and rye milling industries.
Member companies operate mills in 31 states, Canada and Puerto Rico, representing more than 90 percent of total industry production capacity.