About Us

CEO

Jim Emter

Jim started with Van Ahn and Company, Inc. in 2003. Jim was born and raised in the Alexandria, MN area and attributes much of his hard work ethic and discipline to a great upbringing. Jim attended college at NDSU where he graduated with honors majoring in Business Administration, minoring in Agricultural Economics, and received a concentration in Marketing. Jim is married and has three children (2 girls and a boy). Jim enjoys digging deeper in the Bible, time with his wife, kids, and family. He also enjoys hunting, working out, and spending time on the lake.

A Comment from Jim: “Marketing can often be one of the most frustrating components of farming. We have developed a 4 step approach to help you focus in on what needs to happen to be successful in marketing grain and/or livestock. At the end of the day, marketing comes down to focusing in on price, basis, carry, and our 4 step approach. If you want to improve on your marketing, take a step in the right direction today with the team at Van Ahn and Company, Inc.”

COO

Kristi Van Ahn

Kristi started with Van Ahn and Company, Inc. part time in 2009 while she finished her last year of college at North Dakota State University. Kristi graduated with a degree in finance and a minor in Ag business. Kristi is very proud that she gets to carry on a family business and hopes that it continues to flourish for generations to come. Kristi is married with three daughters (just like how she grew up). Kristi’s hobbies include golfing, being outdoors, watching her girls grow, date nights with her husband, and spending time with all her family- no event is too chaotic.

A comment from Kristi: “There are many things that I love about my job, but what I love the most is the integral part of relationship building we get to do with our producers for marketing. It is very important to remove the emotion involved in marketing and someone helping you do that along the way, is key.”

Financial Manager

Kaylee Emter

Kaylee is a third-generation owner of Van Ahn and Company, Inc., alongside her two sisters. She is married to Jim, Van Ahn and Company, Inc.’s CEO. She currently works part time as the Financial Officer for Van Ahn and Company Inc., Inc while raising her three children as well as caring for her three nieces (Kristi’s daughters). She enjoys summers at the lake, iced coffee, being active in her church, and watching her kids partake in their many activities.

A comment from Kaylee: “I love working at Van Ahn and Company, Inc., because it is a family operation, allows me great flexibility with my family, and the staff is second to none.”

Secretary

Sue Emter

Sue started with Van Ahn and Company, Inc. in September of 2011 after having a long career in the beauty industry. Although Sue was hired as a secretary she has become so much more. Everyone in the office agrees we could not survive without her. Sue’s official title is Office Manager and boy is that the truth. Many of you know her as Jim’s mom. Sue enjoys staying busy by hanging out with her six grandchildren, spending time outdoors with her husband Terry, and traveling with her sisters.

A comment from Sue: “I enjoy the personal relationships I get to build with Van Ahn and Company, Inc. clients when I talk to them on the phone. I enjoy staying busy doing various tasks in helping clients open accounts and any requests they need fulfilled. “

Marketing Director

Ross Nadgwick

Ross has been employed with Van Ahn and Company, Inc. since 2009. Before becoming a licensed commodity broker, he operated a crop and livestock based farming operation that he still does part time today. Some of his greatest assets include the strong team of individuals that surround him within our office and the relationships that have been built with producers. Ross is married to Holly and is blessed with four children lead by a strong background in faith. Outside of work, Ross can be found helping around the farm, chasing kids, hunting, fishing, and spending time with family.

A comment from Ross: “Securing a solid net return on investment in today’s farming economy can be very difficult as the extremes in both price and production appear to be amplified year over year. I have a passion to help producers identify and set realistic targets to secure margin in ways that meet each producers’ goals.” Ross works with growers and end users in the grain and livestock enterprise. This provides him a solid balance on both ends of pricing opportunities.

Marketing Specialist

Isaac Dorn

Isaac started with Van Ahn and Company, Inc. in the spring of 2017. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Isaac prides himself in his ability to communicate with producers, making sure they understand all aspects of marketing. He is also a part of Van Ahn and Company, Inc.’s decision making team for investments. Isaac is married and has two children – 1 girl and 1 boy. He loves spending time at the lake with his family and friends. He also enjoys many outdoor activities, including hunting, and fishing.

A comment from Isaac: “I enjoy teaming up with clients to customize a marketing plan that works for their operation by utilizing multiple resources we have available for them. We believe in a team approach to actively analyze the markets and breakdown our 4-pillar strategy to guide our marketing recommendations.”

Marketing Specialist

Steve Witt

Steve has been with Van Ahn and Company, Inc. since May of 2017. Steve lives a half hour north of Alexandria on his family’s farm where he was born and raised. Steve alongside his mother and brother ran a 3rd generation dairy farm. After graduating from Alexandria Tech, with a degree in Diesel mechanics, Steve returned to the farm and continued to milk until October of 2009. He continues to farm the land in a corn, soybean, alfalfa, and small grain rotation. Steve is married and has two daughters. With his farming background, he feels he can relate to his producers marketing needs for their grain and livestock operations. When he is not at work with Van Ahn and Company Inc., he is putting in the afterhours as a producer.

A comment from Steve: “In addition to being part of the team at Van Ahn and Company, Inc., I also value the relationships I continue to build with my producers. With Van Ahn and Company, Inc. being a close-knit team, I believe, we give our producers peace of mind in knowing we have their best interests in mind. If your operation has marketing needs, and you want to learn as your operation grows, please consider Van Ahn and Company, Inc. to assist your operation. “

Aaron Walsh

Aaron started with Van Ahn and Company, Inc. in the summer of 2021. He grew up on a dairy farm north of Alexandria where his parents still raise cattle and crops. He graduated from Jt. John’s University with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Aaron enjoys working with the team at Van Ahn and Company, Inc. analyzing markets and developing marketing strategies. He currently lives in Alexandria where he enjoys helping out on the family farm, sports, hunting, and outdoor activities with family and friends.

A comment from Aaron: “Growing up on a farm has given me a great appreciate for the work that is requited of producers to provide for themselves and their families. I enjoy the opportunity to work with clients to help them develop and implement a marketing plan, because planning and risk management are important aspects in every farm operation.”

Reece Kramer

Reece started at Van Ahn and Company, Inc. in the fall of 2021. Reece attended Concordia College and played baseball for the Cobber’s while studying finance and business management. Prior to working for Van Ahn and Company, Inc. he worked within the commercial grain elevator industry. He learned first hand how futures , basis, logistics, and physical cash trade played out their roles in the grain markets, expanding his knowledge in agriculture and grain marketing. He prides himself on a good work ethic, relationship building, and the ability to help producers manage risk while easing the stress of marketing. Reece enjoys hanging out with family and friends, spending time at the lake, golfing, working out , and watching sports.

A comment from Reece: “I believe by joining our team at Van Ahn and Company, Inc. we can help take your marketing to the next level. By applying our structure marketing plan with our process driven approach, we can take the emotions out of marketing, all while managing risk and maximizing profitability.”

Marking Specialist

Josh Rieland

Josh started with Van Ahn and Company in October 2023; Josh graduated from Alexandria Tech with a degree in Sales & Marketing Management. Prior to working for Van Ahn and Company, he managed a commercial grain elevator for the last 10 years, where he handled logistics, grain procurement, cash bids, custom marketing plans and all the other things that go with grain elevator life! He prides himself in his ability to communicate with producers and strong work ethic. Josh and his wife Kadee live in Sauk Centre, they have 3 daughters. He is involved in the Sauk Centre Conservation Club & Sauk Centre School Board. Josh’s hobbies include golfing, fishing, hunting, gardening, and watching sporting events with his family.

Josh feels that by joining the Van Ahn team as a client you are joining a team of well trained & experienced marketing specialists, that cares about the success of your operation. You are not just a number; you are part of the family. We will take the time to get to know your operation, along with you as an individual that will bring us together to make decisions that are best for YOU! By using our 4 Pillar approach & marketing strategies, we can minimize risk and put you in control of your marketing plan.