John Engelen Joins CHS Inc

CHS Inc., the nation's leading farmer-owned cooperative, announced John Engelen has been named vice president of Government Affairs, effective Feb. 20. Engelen will lead the company's federal and state government affairs, serving as CHS lead representative on a wide range of energy, grain, agriculture, cooperative and other issues with Congress, and federal and state agencies. He will also manage the company's Washington, D.C., government affairs office. Engelen will be based at CHS headquarters in St. Paul and report to Patrick Kluempke, executive vice president, Corporate Services.

"We are very pleased to have John join CHS," said Kluempke.  "He brings significant insight and experience on many issues that are important to CHS diverse energy.

Engelen brings more than 25 years experience managing a wide range of legislative issues at the federal, state and local level. Most recently, he served as vice president, Office of Governmental and Community Affairs, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga., where he focused on policy issues, including health care, higher education, research, energy, food safety, public and global health, animal welfare and transportation.  Prior to joining Emory University, he directed federal relations for the University of Minnesota where he implemented a comprehensive federal relations program to advance advocacy for the land-grant research university.  He has also held government relations positions at two Fortune 500 companies, and served on U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger 's (R-MN) legislative policy staff.

Engelen earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn.