CHS appoints general counsel, executive VP

Smith

U.S. agribusiness cooperative CHS named Brandon Smith executive vice president and general counsel.

Smith will join CHS in late March. He succeeds James Zappa, who served as the company’s executive vice president and general counsel since 2015. Zappa will assume another leadership role in the company, CHS says.

According to the company, Smith brings more than 15 years of experience. Most recently, Smith served as senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary at Tenneco, a multinational industrial company based in Lake Forest, Illinois. Prior to joining Tenneco in 2008, Smith was an attorney with Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Chicago.

Smith earned a juris doctor degree from Cornell Law School and a bachelor’s degree from Hiram College. He is an active community volunteer, CHS says, including serving as a board member for The 100 Club.

“We are excited to bring Brandon’s energy and global experience to CHS,” says Jay Debertin, CHS president and CEO. “He is a smart leader who brings a proven record of success in building relationships, delivering results and thriving in a collaborative business environment.”

Smith will be a member of the CHS strategic leadership team and will report to Debertin, according to the company.

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