Columbia Grain International promotes Kurt Haarmann to president and CEO

Columbia Grain International announced the promotion of Kurt Haarmann to president and CEO, effective immediately. The appointment was made by the company's parent, Marubeni Corporation (Tokyo: 8002), a Japanese integrated trading and investment business.

Haarmann joined Columbia Grain International in Colfax, Washington in 1993 after earning a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Washington. He worked in procurement, domestic and export trading, contract execution and operations management from 1996 to 2014 for wheat and later for oilseeds. He was promoted to chief commercial officer on April 1, 2025, with oversight of all commodities, freight and logistics.

"Our mission at Columbia Grain is to safely cultivate high quality ingredients from our local farmers that feed the world," Haarmann stated. "It's our purpose to cultivate growth for all members of our community – from our farmers to our partners throughout our supply chain."

Columbia Grain International, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, operates as a global leader in the origination, processing, logistics and distribution of bulk grains, pulses, edible beans, oilseeds and organics for U.S. domestic and worldwide export markets since 1978.

The company operates grain elevators, processing plants and agronomy centers across the western United States, with relationships spanning croplands in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska and North Dakota. Columbia Grain International owns Montana Specialty Mills, which operates facilities in Great Falls and Conrad, Montana.

You May Also Be Interested In

• Kohl's names Ryan Waymire as chief merchandising officer
• Greenbrier names Brian Comstock as next CEO as Tekorius retires
• UPS names new leaders as executive retires after 37 years