MANHATTAN, KANSAS, March 27, 2024 – After 25 years of service to the Kansas Crop
Improvement Association (KCIA), Executive Director Steve Schuler is retiring, effective March
31.
“Steve has had the interest of the association and its membership first all the time,” said Dustin
Miller, owner of Kauffman Seeds, Inc., and president of the KCIA Board of Directors. “He has
kept the association as one of the best in the nation and also helped put the pieces together for
KCIA to continue to be a leader in certification for the future.”
Schuler joined KCIA in 1999 as a Field Inspections Manager. In 2010, he took over as Executive
Director in 2010 while maintaining his field role.
“When I took over as the executive director, I was really focused on building up reserves to
have capital to support and invest in the organization,” Schuler said. “As I retire, I get
satisfaction from the fact that we are in good financial shape and have also deployed digital
systems to support the 122-year-old organization as it heads into the future.”
Schuler notes that his accomplishments leading the organization weren’t achieved by him
alone. He credits the KCIA staff and members for their quality work and commitment to the
association.
“I don’t think you can find a better cross-section of people anywhere than the members I serve
and the staff I work with,” Schuler said. “Our members have imposed stricter purity standards
on ourselves than the industry in general. That’s part of why I’m proud of our membership.
We’re reliable, honest, and have a great reputation for quality seed.”
The respect is mutual for members who have been affiliated with KCIA through Steve’s tenure.
“Steve has advanced KCIA into the 21st century by investing in software systems that create a
more accurate and transparent system,” said Shane Ohlde, CEO of Ohlde Seed Farms, Inc., and
member of the KCIA Board of Directors. “I’ve always admired and learned from Steve. His
ability to adapt and work for the best possible outcome is a leadership quality that stands out
most to me.”
Colleagues and KCIA members alike agree that Schuler can tackle business needs and
understand highly technical topics, all while maintaining a sense of humor and notable work
ethic.
“Steve’s work ethic and leadership is a large contributing factor to the current health of the
organization,” said Alex King, senior agronomy manager at Mid Kansas Coop, board member atlarge and V.P. of research for KCIA. “He’s approachable and knowledgeable and has done a
great job serving the membership.”
Eric Fabrizius, associate director and seed laboratory director at KCIA knows Schuler well.
Fabrizius joined the association about a year after Schuler and the two have developed a strong
working relationship and friendship over their 20+ years of service together.
“We have worked extremely well together,” Fabrizius said. “The decision-making at KCIA has
been very collaborative and team-oriented. Steve’s no-nonsense approach means we know our
directive as an organization and focus on doing that efficiently and accurately. While he had
high expectations of everyone to do their job well, he has also made it fun. The way he cuts up
with us around the office leaves us in stitches.”
As Schuler looks toward retirement, he’s most excited about spending time on his home
acreage and tackling the never-ending to-do list associated with land stewardship. He and his
wife recently purchased horses to re-ignite a love for equine that that they had growing up.
“I’m looking forward to slowing down and smelling the roses a bit more,” Schuler said. “I’m
going to miss the people I’ve been working with – I’ve had the perfect lifestyle and enjoyed
what I was doing with KCIA – but I’m looking forward to a good, relaxing life in this next
season.”
In regard to leaving the association in a state of transition, Schuler is not at all concerned.
“It’s never one person that makes for a successful reputation,” Schuler said. “The association
members and staff I’m leaving behind are fantastic and I look forward to watching KCIA thrive
in the future.”
Search Begins for New Executive Director
With Schuler’s retirement, the KCIA Board of Directors is actively searching for its next
Executive Director. The Board has named a screening committee to work in partnership with
Roots & Legacies Consulting to identify qualified candidates.
As part of the leadership transition, other organizational changes have been announced,
including Fabrizius’ promotion to Director of Operations. Fabrizius will serve as the interim
Executive Director until Schuler’s replacement is named and will assume responsibilities of his
new role once the search process is completed and new leader instated.
For more information on KCIA, visit www.kscrop.org. For questions related to the Executive
Director position, please contact Emily Lehning, emily@rootsandlegacies.com.
About the Kansas Crop
