Duane Simpson was named the President and CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) in May 2025. As the organization’s chief executive, Duane leads NCFC’s efforts to advance the interests of America’s farmer cooperatives by promoting sound agricultural policy, enhancing rural economic development, and ensuring market access for co-op members. His leadership is focused on modernizing NCFC so it can drive innovation, sustainability, and long-term success across the cooperative landscape.

Duane brings to NCFC a distinguished career in public affairs, agricultural policy, and executive leadership. Prior to joining the Council, he served as Vice President, Head of Agricultural Affairs & License to Operate for North America, Australia, and New Zealand at Bayer Crop Science. He guided policy strategy and external engagement across those countries, enabling regulatory and public acceptance of agricultural technologies while aligning commercial goals with societal expectations. He also was instrumental in the successful integration of Monsanto and Bayer following their historic merger.

Over his career, Duane has played a central role in shaping key agricultural initiatives. His achievements include securing over $300 million in state and local economic development incentives, leading bipartisan coalitions to influence state and federal legislation, and protecting market access for products generating more than $1 billion in annual sales. He has navigated complex legislative and regulatory environments, directing responses to hundreds of policy challenges each year.

Duane’s influence extends beyond corporate leadership. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) Board of Directors, chaired BIO’s Agriculture & Environment Section, and held leadership roles with CropLife America and the American Chemistry Council. He has also served on the boards of directors of numerous state agribusiness, biotechnology and business organizations. Prior to joining Bayer, he served as the Chief Operating Officer for the Kansas Grain & Feed Association and led their lobbying efforts and those of their sister organization, the Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association. He also has almost a decade of legislative and political campaign experience.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, graduating magna cum laude from Fort Hays State University. He has completed executive education programs in agribusiness at Harvard Business School and in strategic leadership at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland.

Duane lives in Falls Church, Virginia, with his wife Lisa and their daughter Hailey, who will begin her studies at Florida State University in the fall.