Current Chapter Leadership
President and Midwest Director: Randy Walker 
President-Elect: Bruce Arentson 
Past President: Joanne Knapp 
Secretary-Treasurer: Wendy Flatt 
Directors: Amber Moffett, Phil Krueger, Chris Hostetler, Don Martell, Judy Reynolds, Chad Risley, and Aaron Park

The Midwest Chapter of ARPAS, which was started in 2011, had approximately 161 members as of March 2016. The chapter continues to be active in building and supporting ARPAS membership through the University and Industry Relations Committees as well as through targeted sponsorships and ARPAS presentations. 

Since our last newsletter in January, the Midwest Chapter and National ARPAS have co-sponsored several events at the Midwest ADSA-ASAS Meetings in March, including symposium sponsorship, the Graduate Student Learn and Breakfast, ARPAS exam administration (5 exams taken), and a town-hall–style meeting for chapter members.

At the Tri-State Dairy Nutrition Conference in April, the Midwest ARPAS Chapter hosted a Meet-n-Greet Dinner on Monday evening, April 18, following the Student Research Showcase. Over 75 people attended the buffet dinner, including 36 students and their advisors. After the dinner, Dr. Joanne Knapp gave a short presentation on the value of ARPAS membership, and Mr. Greg Zuver, Ms. Larissa Deikun, and Dr. Normand St-Pierre spoke briefly on why ARPAS membership was important to them as individuals and to their career development. We received many positive comments about the event and plan to continue it in the future. Co-sponsors included Mycogen, Provimi, Cumberland Valley Analytical Services, Ajinomoto Heartland, and Perdue AgriBusiness.

Future and continuing activities are as follows:
June 4, State Nutrition Conference—sponsorship of the overall program, manning the ARPAS display booth, and ARPAS exam administration. 

September, Minnesota Nutrition Conference—sponsor a program speaker, give a 10-minute presentation on the value of ARPAS, and administer ARPAS exams.

In addition to those activities, The Midwest Chapter of ARPAS is in the early planning phase of creating a professional development symposium, which will likely be held in conjunction with an existing event, such as the Minnesota Nutrition Conference.

Midwest Chapter Elections will be held in May to June. We are currently seeking candidates for Directors (3-year term). Interested Candidates within the Midwest Chapter geographical area should contact Dr. Bruce Arentson (bruce.arentson@effem.com) as soon as possible.