The North American Millers’ Association (NAMA) announced that Robert Harper, president, Hopkinsville Milling Company (Hopkinsville, KY) has been elected vice chairman of the NAMA Board of Directors, fulfilling the 2016-2018 term, vacated by D. Wade Ellis, formerly of Bunge Milling (St. Louis, MO).

“I am pleased to announce the election of Robert Harper as NAMA vice chairman,” said Jim McCarthy, NAMA president & CEO. “His service to NAMA as a member of the board of directors, chair of the Corn Dry Milling Conference Planning Committee and former chair of the Ad-Hoc Bylaws Committee has been invaluable. The leadership, vision and experience he brings to the vice chairman’s role will be equally valuable as NAMA and its members chart our industry’s future in the coming weeks and months.

“NAMA plays a critical role in our industry’s marketplace and public policy success,” said Harper. “I look forward to working with my board colleagues, the NAMA staff and our member companies to address the opportunities and challenges we face together.

Harper is president of Hopkinsville Milling Company, a miller of flour, corn meal, and grits for retail and food service customers. Harper began his work in the milling industry in 1993 and was previously director of operations and director of new product development at Hopkinsville Milling Company and is the fifth generation of family to work at mill. Harper is a former member of the NAMA Executive Committee and is currently the program chairman for NAMA Corn Dry Milling Conference. Harper also represented the American Corn Millers Federation in merger discussions with Protein Grain Products and Millers National Federation in the formation of the North American Millers’ Association in 1998. Harper is the secretary for Hopkinsville Christian County Habitat for Humanity, is the former chairman of Workforce Development board at Hopkinsville-Christian County Chamber of Commerce, and is the former president of Hopkinsville Rotary Club.

Harper received his BA from Yale University and an MBA from Northwestern University.