K. Bailey honored for service

ST. PAUL, MINN. (Dec. 8, 2017) – Keith Bailey has been honored by CHS, Inc., the nation's leading farmer-owned cooperative, for contributing 25 years of service to strengthening and growing the cooperative system. He is CEO of AgVentures NW, LLC, of Odessa, Wash. and general manager for its owner companies, Reardan Grain Growers and Odessa Union Warehouse, which serve farmers through more than 20 locations.

He also serves as chief operating officer of newly formed HighLine Grain Growers, Inc., a grain marketing and transportation business comprising five partnering country elevator companies operating in 55 locations, in addition to a shuttle train loader that began operations in April of 2016.

Bailey was recognized at the CHS Annual Meeting held in Minneapolis December 7-8, 2017. Jay Debertin, president and CEO of CHS, congratulated a group of 15 general managers who joined the Cooperative Leadership Circle during a ceremony at the annual meeting.

"Individuals like Keith have led the way in helping the cooperative system succeed," said Debertin. "His service shows a true dedication to helping today's farmers and ranchers grow, while also strengthening rural communities for the next generation."

Since 1973, CHS and its predecessors have honored more than 1,100 cooperative general managers and CEOs for their long service. The Cooperative Leadership Circle recognizes those cooperative leaders who have served 25 or more years in the cooperative system. Each Cooperative Leadership Circle honoree receives a commemorative watch.

CHS Inc. (www.chsinc.com) is a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States. Diversified in energy, grains and foods, CHS is committed to helping its customers, farmer-owners and other stakeholders grow their businesses through its domestic and global operations. CHS, a Fortune 100 company, supplies energy, crop nutrients, grain marketing services, animal feed, food and food ingredients, along with business solutions including insurance, financial and risk management services. The company operates petroleum refineries/pipelines and manufactures, markets and distributes Cenex® brand refined fuels, lubricants, propane and renewable energy products.

Bailey is a native of Washington state and was raised on a wheat and cattle ranch in eastern Washington south of Cheney. His career in agriculture includes nine years with Great Western Malting as Director of Grain and Transportation, in addition to over 25 years in management and development of country grain elevator companies.

Bailey represented the malting industry to the Washington Barley Commission, is a past Commissioner of the Washington Grain Commission, serves as a board director and past chairman of the Wheat Marketing Center in Portland, Ore., served as a director for the Pacific Northwest Grain & Feed Association, served on the Country Elevator Committee of the National Grain & Feed Association and currently serves on the NGFA board of directors.

Bailey first attended the University of Idaho, then transferred to and earned a bachelor's degree from Washington State University.