Columbia Grain International appoints Kurt Haarmann as President and CEO

USA – Columbia Grain International (CGI) has announced that Kurt Haarmann, the company’s current chief commercial officer, will assume the role of president and chief executive officer on September 1.

Haarmann takes over from Jeff Van Pevenage, whose tenure as president and CEO concludes with the expiration of his contract.

The leadership transition was confirmed on August 21 by CGI’s parent company, Japan-based Marubeni Corp., together with the company’s board of directors.

 In a statement, Marubeni and CGI emphasized that the move “reflects a refreshed strategic direction for CGI and is not a reflection of performance.”

“We are grateful for his decades of service, vision and dedication to our employees, customers, farmers and partners,” the board said, noting that his leadership had been instrumental in building CGI’s reputation in both domestic and export markets.

Van Pevenage’s career at CGI spans more than three decades. He joined the company in 1990 while completing his studies at Washington State University and steadily rose through the ranks. His roles included vice president and manager in 2008, senior vice president in 2013, and president and CEO in 2016.

During his leadership, CGI expanded its storage network, strengthened its grain merchandising operations, and deepened its partnerships with farmers and food processors across the United States.

Haarmann, a seasoned grain executive with more than 30 years in the industry, brings his own extensive history with CGI and the Marubeni Group to the role. He began his career at CGI in Colfax, Washington, in 1993 before moving to Portland, where he oversaw international bulk grain merchandising and team management.

In 2014, he left to lead the wheat team at Pacificor, LLC as senior vice president of merchandising, but returned to CGI in 2018 as senior vice president of grain and oilseeds. He played a central role in reorganizing the company and, earlier this year, was promoted to chief commercial officer, where he managed merchandising, freight, and logistics.

“He brings with him a strong commitment to the employees, customers, farmers and shareholders of Columbia Grain and Marubeni Corporation,” CGI said in its announcement.

Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, CGI is a major player in the U.S. grain and oilseed supply chain. The company originates, processes, and distributes bulk grains, pulses, edible beans, organics, and oilseeds to domestic and global markets.

With 79.4 million bushels of licensed storage capacity across 56 facilities, CGI ranks as the 22nd largest grain storage company in North America, according to Sosland Publishing Co.’s 2025 Grain & Milling Annual.

Beyond storage and merchandising, CGI is majority owner of Montana Specialty Mills, which operates an oilseed crushing facility in Great Falls, Montana, and a mustard seed facility in Conrad, Montana.

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