NCGA Announces New Leadership in Market Development, Production and Sustainability Departments

The National Corn Growers Association is excited to announce that Jim Bauman, the current Director of Market Development, has been promoted to the position of Vice President of Market Development. Nathan Fields, who previously served as the Vice President of Market Development, will serve as Vice President of Production and Sustainability.

“We are very pleased that both Jim and Nathan accepted our offers,” said NCGA CEO Jon Doggett. “Both of these exceptional leaders understand fully the challenges facing our industry and are excited to advance opportunities to meet them. Given their proven track records of success, I am confident that they will make significant contributions to advancing our mission of creating and maintain opportunities for U.S. corn farmers as they work to sustainably feed and fuel a growing world.”

Bauman joined NCGA in 2016 as Director of Market Analysis, working in the areas of corn ethanol and livestock, coordinating projects and analysis with the public policy team as well as supporting state organizations. Over his tenure, his work has spanned the full spectrum of corn’s demand, including ethanol, animal feed, food, industrial products and transportation.  His invaluable experience supporting our efforts to defend the RFS, grow ethanol demand, and an ability to build cross-functional relationships with stakeholders across corn’s value chain will serve him well in the new role.  Most recently he has proven to possess a passion for identifying and supporting new uses of corn-based bio-products.  His team’s work on the inaugural Consider Corn Challenge highlighted a small portion of the potential this growing industry represents for future corn demand.  

Fields joined NCGA in 2004 as Manager of Research, working initially on research and development for new uses for corn. In the intervening years, he has led the organization’s work on many issues including biotechnology, crop inputs, trade and economic analysis. During his tenure, Fields has been serving NCGA and its state-affiliated organizations on many issues of critical importance to the bottom line of corn farmers nationwide. From helping to defend key crop protection chemicals to working diligently on biotech regulations at home and abroad, his leadership in situations with significant public scrutiny have shown his steady nature, sharp insight and distinct intellect will allow him to succeed in this new role.

Prior to joining NCGA, Bauman most recently worked for Anheuser-Bush, as its director of commercial planning and performance management- trade marketing. Previously, he also held other positions within that division and worked at both Ferrellgas Inc. and John Hancock Financial Services. His 16 years of experience includes leadership roles focused on project management, financial analysis, and new product development across the propane, beverage alcohol, and agricultural industries. 

He earned a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Northwest Missouri State University at Maryville. 

Prior to his employment with NCGA, Nathan worked in the Bio-Pharmaceutical industry managing Research and Development, Production and Process Development of pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical excipients, custom bulk molecule synthesis, protein/DNA extraction and purification. His post-undergraduate work included involvement with the private sector effort on sequencing the human genome.

Fields graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in biology and completed his MBA at the Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville.