About Us > Leadership

Get to know the Italgrani team. With countless years of experience in grain origin, processing, quality control and marketing and sales, we've got the expertise - whatever your durum or grain needs may be.

Jim Meyer, President

After graduating from the University of Missouri with an accounting degree, Jim worked for nine years at Arthur Andersen in St. Louis, in the audit division. In 1988, he became the Chief Financial Officer of Italgrani USA and in 1989, he was promoted to Chief Executive Officer of the company.

Giovanni Zago, Director of Milling Operations

Giovanni graduated from the University of Turin (Italy) with a degree in engineering. He began working for an affiliated company of Italgrani in Italy, and transferred to the United States in the 1980s to further develop the milling operations here in America.

Mike Emert, Superintendent

Mike is a graduate of Kansas State University. His degree is in Milling Science and Management. Mike is an active member of the International Association of Operative Millers. Prior to joining Italgrani Mike was the Senior Head Miller for Ardent Mills in Alton, IL

Tyson Giles, Executive Vice President, Mayco Export

Born and raised in an agriculture community of the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota. Graduated from the University of North Dakota with a degree in Finance and Master's degree in Business Administration. Began career originating and trading wheat for CHS in the northern plains, specifically from the Dakotas and Minnesota.

Bob Huson, Sales By-Products

Armed with a degree in economics from Colgate University, Bob started working at Cargill in Albany, NY, as a feed ingredient merchandiser. Transferring to Kansas City, Mo, Bob held positions at ADM Milling, Pillsbury and CSC before moving to St. Louis to handle the mill feed and 2nd clear flour merchandizing for US Durum Milling.

Patrick Prochno, Sales By-Products

Patrick graduated from Purdue University in 2011 with a Bachelor's degree in Agribusiness Management. He obtained his Certified Grain Merchant's certificate from Arkansas University/White Commercial Corp, Stuart, FL. Prior to joining Italgrani in 2017, Patrick was the Assistant Manager and Senior Merchandiser for ENCOMPASS Grain & Rail Coop.

Pat Beem, Director of Sales

Pat joined Italgrani in February of 1996. He started his career with ConAgra in the Feed Ingredient Merchandising Division, followed by 13 years at Pillsbury in the Commodity Specialists Feed Ingredient Merchandising Division. Pat is a graduate of Kansas State University with a degree in the Engineering Option of Milling Science and Management.

Matt Torti, Bagged Flour Sales and Organic Products

Matt graduated from Colgate University where he majored in History and minored in Sociology and Anthropology with a concentration in Economics. He was a member of the Colgate Ice Hockey team and played professionally in the ECHL. Prior to coming to Italgrani in June of 2014, Matt worked in Logistics and Sales for almost 5 years where he managed accounts and arranged shipments of commodities ranging from food ingredients to furniture.

Lisa Rucker, Treasurer

Lisa graduated from Pittsburg State University in 1983 with an undergraduate degree in accounting. She obtained a Masters degree in accounting from the University of Missouri in 1984. She began her professional career with Arthur Andersen in 1984 and joined Italgrani in 1988 as the controller.

Lisa Scharf, Director of Transportation

Lisa has spent her entire career in the transportation and logistics area. She started her career at Pillsbury, followed by six years at Consolidated Grain and Barge, involved in rail fleet and logistics issues. She joined Italgrani in 1993 and was promoted to Director of Transportation in 2004.

Subrahmanyam Nukala, Director of Quality Control

Subrahmanyam obtained a Master's Degree from the Grain Science & Industry Department at Kansas State University, and started his US career with ConAgra while working at various locations as a QA manager. He joined Italgrani in 1997, and is primarily responsible for customer service and quality control across all of our product lines.