Iowa Soybean Association

Director of Communications & External Relations
Iowa Soybean Association
Raised on a crop and livestock farm in northwest Iowa, Aaron Putze has always respected and appreciated farmers and the significant role Iowa plays in feeding, clothing and fueling our nation and the world!
These passions serve him well as Director of Communications and External Relations for the Iowa Soybean Association. Located in Ankeny, the association works to improve the competitiveness of the Iowa soybean industry. It does this by serving Iowa’s 42,000 soybean farmers in the areas of production research, environmental stewardship, market development and public affairs.
Aaron lends a hand in all aspects of ISA’s communications and consumer relations activities. They include media relations, serving as an association spokesperson, authoring content, conducting editorial board visits and managing relationships with key industry stakeholders. He also assists with the Iowa Food & Family Project, a consumer-facing initiative that’s building trust in modern agriculture.
Aaron obtained degrees in communications, public relations and journalism from the University of Northern Iowa. He’s also an accredited public relations practitioner. Aaron authored the just-released book, “Destined for Greatness: The Story of Chuck Long and Resurgence of Iowa Hawkeyes Football.” He was recently named Outstanding Public Relations Professional by the Central Iowa Public Relations Society of America.
Aaron serves on the U.S. Animal Ag Alliance board of directors, is a member of the Waukee Rotary and an active parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi in West Des Moines. He enjoys family time, sports, barbecuing and spending time outdoors. Aaron and his wife Crystal and children Garrett, Grant and Jaelyn (JAY-lynn) live in Waukee.

Grant Kimberley, Iowa Soybean Association market development director:  He farms near Maxwell, hosted Chinese President Xi when he visited Iowa in 2012 and has traveled to China and other international destinations more than a dozen times.