By Jamie Martin
The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City will honor Greg Krissek, CEO Emeritus of Kansas Corn, and Don Nikodim, retired Executive Vice President of the Missouri Pork Association (MPA), with the prestigious Jay B. Dillingham Award for Agricultural Leadership and Excellence.
According to Council spokesman Zach Helder, “Greg and Don are richly deserving of the Council’s recognition. In addition to their decades of advocacy on behalf of Kansas and Missouri agricultural producers, their leadership helped shape the economic and policy landscape for corn and meat production and fuel Kansas City’s growing status as the agricultural capital of the U.S.”
The formal recognition will occur at the Council’s annual awards luncheon on May 15, 2025.
Greg Krissek, a Kansas City, Kansas native, served as CEO of Kansas Corn from 2014 to 2023, transitioning to CEO Emeritus and Senior Advisor. With over 35 years of experience in agriculture, ethanol, renewable energy, and public policy.
Krissek has held leadership roles at the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Kansas Corn, ICM Inc., and Kennedy and Coe, LLC. He has served on numerous agricultural boards, including ethanol plant boards, Growth Energy, and the US Grains Council.
Don Nikodim served as Executive Director of the Missouri Pork Association from December 1983 until 2024. During his tenure, he oversaw the construction of new office facilities and the Pork Place restaurant at the Missouri State Fair.
Nikodim focused on promotion, research, consumer information, leadership, youth activities, and producer education. He also served as a lobbyist and on various committees for national and state agricultural organizations.
Each year, the Council presents the Dillingham Award to two leaders-one from Kansas and one from Missouri-who “embody the entrepreneurial spirit and drive the economic growth of the Heartland’s agribusiness industry.” This award recognizes their significant contributions to the agricultural sector and their lasting impact on the region.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-stockseller_ukr
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