Austin Carpenter is Board President; Chuck Kunisch is Chairman.

Honored for his service while in Fort Worth, TX for GEAPS Leadership Conference earlier this year, Chairman Chris Blair officially turned over the gavel to incoming Chairman Chuck Kunisch. Photos courtesy of GEAPS.
Honored for his service while in Fort Worth, TX for GEAPS Leadership Conference earlier this year, Chairman Chris Blair officially turned over the gavel to incoming Chairman Chuck Kunisch. Photos courtesy of GEAPS.

Austin Carpenter, GEAPS Board President. 

With a new fiscal year comes new leadership. GEAPS is happy to announce Austin Carpenter will serve as GEAPS Board President. Carpenter, a member of GEAPS for nearly 15 years, is sales manager for Clear Creek & Associates, Inc., Goshen, Indiana. 

“A position I never thought possible, at a time that couldn’t be better! Exciting things are happening at GEAPS including membership growth and Exchange growth with more to follow. I look forward to supporting the policies and vision the International Board of Directors has had over the past several years and paving the way for future leadership,” Carpenter said.

Chuck Kunisch, who served as GEAPS president for the last year, now assumes the role of Chairman of the Board. Kunisch serves as Safety Director at Michigan Agricultural Commodities (MAC). Kunisch, from GEAPS Michigan Southern Ontario chapter, has been with GEAPS for more than 20 years.  

“Being president of GEAPS this last year was one of the best experiences of my life,” Kunisch said. “The high point had to be Exchange ‘24. It was almost an unbelievable success. The people I have met and worked with as president will forever be part of my life. Did I have challenges and was it sometimes frustrating? Sure! But what we were able to accomplish made it all very worthwhile and I will certainly miss it. I know the organization will be in great hands with Austin Carpenter taking over the reins as president of GEAPS. He will have a lot of support from GEAPS’ board, all the GEAPS volunteers and a fantastic staff, including our new Executive Director John Caupert.” 

Additionally, Board Treasurer Bob Horvat, Cargill, was elected to fill the role of First Vice President and Alex Westlind, The Weitz Company, was elected to serve as Second Vice President.

With Horvat’s new position, Director Jon Brown was appointed board treasurer.

Others elected to the board include Sarah Fakhari, Cadrien Livingston and Ruchi Ryley. With Second Vice President Jori Templeton and Board Director Holly Betten’s job changes making them ineligible to serve, candidates Adam Geers and Danny Lien will assume director roles for the next year.

GEAPS encourages all members to get involved with the organization through volunteer opportunities. See the whole list of GEAPS Board of Directors here.  

Jessica Waltzer
Communications Manager