Little leaves NBB to lead Kansas Soybean Association

Little

Kaleb Little, a longtime familiar face in the Jefferson City, Missouri-based communications office at the National Biodiesel Board, is leaving the organization to lead the Kansas Soybean Association and Kansas Soybean Commission as CEO and administrator, respectively.

Little joined NBB in 2010 as a communications and member specialist, then he moved up to communications manager. After Jessica Robinson left her role as communications director in 2018, Little took over the position in which he led a team of two staff members and 18 contractors.

“I am extremely excited for the opportunity to serve the soybean farmers of my home state of Kansas and to return closer to my agricultural roots,” Little told Biobased Diesel Daily.

Little, a native of Rossville, Kansas, will fulfill his new roles beginning Jan. 4, following the retirement of Kenlon Johannes, longtime KSA CEO and biodiesel pioneer.

“It will be an immense challenge to follow a tremendous leader like Kenlon as he retires this spring,” Little said, “but I am up to the challenge with a great staff and board leadership in place at Kansas Soybean. Delivering a strong return on soybean checkoff investment and maintaining KSA’s leadership role in state and national ag policy efforts will remain top priorities moving forward. While I am sad to see my decade-plus time with the National Biodiesel Board come to an end, this is a special opportunity and I can’t wait to get started.”

The NBB noted Little has led high-level communications strategy and messaging on behalf of the biodiesel industry and has been instrumental in the annual National Biodiesel Conference & Expo over the years.

“We hate to see Kaleb leave NBB but couldn’t imagine a better fit for him, his family, and his leadership mindset than this position at Kansas Soybean,” said Donnell Rehagen, NBB CEO. “I am extremely confident he will succeed in this new role and will provide valuable leadership to the farmers of his home state and on the national level.”