Agribusiness Council of Indiana (ACI) has announced that Melissa Rekeweg will be serving as the organization’s new president and CEO beginning in October.
Rekeweg has more than 25 years as an Indiana ag leader, with experience in ag education, policy, and organizational management.
As President and CEO, Rekeweg will lead ACI’s efforts to serve Indiana’s grain, feed, seed, plant food and ag chem sectors, fostering collaboration across the supply chain and strengthening the state’s position as a national leader in agriculture.
“I’m honored to join ACI and build on its strong legacy of service to Indiana agribusiness,” said Rekeweg. “Working together with our members and partners, we can strengthen the state’s agricultural economy and secure a strong footing for the agribusiness sector for the future.”
Most recently, Rekeweg served as managing director of the National Council for Agricultural Education, where she led national initiatives in agricultural education, strategic planning, governance and partnerships. Previously, she held senior leadership roles at the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, where she oversaw a $4.2 million agency, chaired major statewide councils and represented Indiana in national agricultural policy forums.
She also has served in leadership roles with the National FFA Organization, AgriNovus Indiana, Indiana Department of Education, as well as other positions in Indiana’s financial and education sectors.
An Indiana native, Rekeweg holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from Purdue University, a master’s degree in management and leadership from Western Governors University and a certificate in nonprofit executive leadership from Indiana University. She is also a graduate of the Indiana Agricultural Leadership Program.
“Melissa’s breadth of experience, from state government to national organizations, paired with her lifelong dedication to Indiana agriculture, makes her the ideal person to lead ACI into its next chapter,” said Brett Jones, chair of the ACI board of directors. “Her ability to bring people together, create strategic clarity and drive meaningful results will be a tremendous asset to our members and the entire Indiana agribusiness community.”
Rekeweg replaces Bruce Kettler, who left the organization in July. He had served as President and CEO of ACI since January 2023. Kettler had also previously served as Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) from January 2018 to December 2022.
