NGFA Chairman Hal Reed has appointed Laurie Hiler, manager/owner of Seneca Transportation LLC, Creve Coeur, Mo., as the new chairman of the NGFA's Waterborne Commerce Committee.
The committee interacts with Congress, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other federal agencies to advocate improvements to the inland waterways system and ports to facilitate the cost-effective transport of U.S. agricultural commodities and products for domestic and export use.
Hiler, who has served as a member of the committee for the past 12 years, also has chaired the NGFA's Barge Freight Trade Rules Committee since 2000. She began her industry career with Consolidated Grain & Barge Co. in 1980, and has been with Seneca Transportation LLC since 1999. She is a graduate of the University of Kansas with degrees in economics and political science, and received an executive MBA degree from Washington University. Among numerous civic activities, she has served as an officer and president of the St. Louis Agribusiness Club.