Scoular promotes Van Court to President in strategic leadership transition
The transition is part of a structured succession plan, with some responsibilities shifting from David Faith, who currently holds the dual roles of president and chairman of the board.
USA – Scoular has promoted Phil Van Court to president, effective June 1, 2026, as part of a structured succession plan at one of America’s most established grain and commodities firms.
Van Court, who currently serves as vice president and general manager of Scoular’s Grain Division, will succeed David Faith, who will retain the role of chairman of the board while stepping down from day‑to‑day presidential duties.
The move is framed as a structured succession plan to align Scoular’s executive structure with its long‑term growth strategy.
In his new role, Van Court will report directly to the chief executive officer (CEO), Paul Maass, and will support the CEO on enterprise‑level direction, including capital allocation, expansion of growth initiatives, and governance‑related matters.
He will also represent Scoular in relationships with key customers, partners, government officials, and industry leaders, drawing on more than a decade of experience in various leadership and board positions within the company.
Van Court’s ascent to the presidency is the culmination of a 23-year career within the company.
He began his journey at Scoular in 2003 as a trainee, where he gained first-hand experience in the “shuttle train” business by loading grain trains in Downs, Kansas.
Over the following two decades, he moved through a series of increasingly senior roles, including merchandiser, facility manager, regional manager, and vice president of operations.
Since 2021, he has successfully led the Grain Division’s facility operations, managing a sprawling network of more than 65 facilities across the American Midwest, including major hubs in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois.
The transition reflects Scoular’s commitment to internal talent development and organizational continuity.
CEO Paul Maass praised Van Court as a “values-driven leader” whose deep operational experience and commitment to the company’s mission make him the ideal choice to lead the next chapter of Scoular’s growth.
Some of the achievements include the acquisition of three grain facilities inCentral Kansas, the commissioning of a new oilseed processing facility in Kansas, and CHS’s acquisition of the Scoular facility in Nebraska.
Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Scoular has been a prominent player in the agricultural sector since 1892.
The company employs approximately 1,250 people across more than 100 offices and facilities worldwide, providing logistics, trading, and supply chain solutions for grain, feed, and food ingredients.
This leadership shift ensures that Scoular remains anchored in its foundational values while aggressively pursuing its modern “Accelerate” growth objectives in the global commodities market.
Recently, Orenda Commodity Services Ltd. completed the acquisition of Scoular’s sunflower business and wild bird food blending business, transferring ownership of a processing facility in Winkler, Manitoba, Canada.
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