Learn About Midwest Market Management and Meet Our Team

Pat McLaughlin

I learned a lot of things growing up on my family's farm near Donahue, Iowa. Like my father, I did not want to work in a factory doing something I didn't enjoy. And like my father, I loved agriculture… so much so that I took my first job working for Farm Service for $2.15/hour rather than going to the nearby factory for almost four times as much pay. Looking back, it was one of the most important decisions I ever made, putting me on a path toward a career that would provide far more than money.

Intrigued by the process of grain merchandising, I set out to learn everything I could about the buying and selling of grain products. Through 20+ years of managing elevators and merchandising grain, I developed a thorough understanding of the tools and techniques that go into a successful grain marketing program. I also discovered a passion for helping farmers make their operations more profitable and less stressful.

Today I’m pleased to be working with my son, Clint, not telling farmers what to do, but teaching farmers what they can do to make the most of their farms, for their families, and their futures.

Clint McLaughlin

Growing up I worked on a Texas ranch and an Iowa farm. I grew to appreciate the way ranchers and farmers pour their hearts and souls into their work. I learned how being part of a team means working as hard as those around you to ensure success. And while I did not yet understand the financial challenges of agricultural business, I did understand it wasn't easy.

Pursuing the rank of Eagle Scout, I gained an even greater sense of teamwork and leadership. Scouting also reinforced what my parents always taught; always do the right thing. While earning an Agricultural Economics degree at Texas State University, I created a successful novelty longhorn photography business that taught me about organization, goal setting, and independence. I discovered I liked working for myself because it meant I could do things the right way. This discovery led me back to Iowa to share my Dad's vision of working to help farmers with their grain marketing.

Today, I live in Kaukauna with my sons Riley and Westin. When I'm not enjoying time with my family, I'm working with my Dad doing what we love to do. We believe there is no greater service we can provide than to help hard-working American farmers. And we hope you will consider giving us a chance to introduce ourselves, explain our approach, and earn your trust.

We look forward to meeting you!

Stewart Hughes

I grew up on a small farm located in northwest Ohio. During high school, I got involved in FFA, and I had the opportunity to participate in the state Grain Marketing and Ag Economics contest. During this contest, I learned what Corn Basis was and started to gain an understanding of the industry before I graduated high school. For me, this was where my interest in the Grain industry started.

After High School, I attend and graduated from The Ohio State University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Ag Economics and Ag Communication. My first job out of college was with ADM, and that brought me to Gladbrook, Iowa, and I stayed in this part of the Midwest ever since. I started out in the seed cleaning equipment business for several years and prior to joining Midwest Market Management, I was in the Co-op system for 18 years. This was where I had established a relationship with Pat and Midwest Market Management.

The transition to Midwest Market Management was easy to make for me. I enjoy being involved with grain trade and each season is unique and has its own different set of challenges and opportunities. I want our clients to be engaged and treat our relationship as a team, trying to navigate the market together.

I currently reside in Conrad, Iowa, and have a daughter, Olivia, and a son, Jack. In my spare time I enjoy snowmobiling and working on fix-it projects.

Rich Berg

I grew up on a farm near Arcadia, Iowa, and have been involved in agriculture my whole life. On the family farm we grew corn, soybeans, oats, and hay. We also raised stock cows. I received a two-year accounting degree from DMACC and started my career at Enterprise Farmers Elevator Co. While at the Elevator Co., my jobs included accounting, merchandising, and management. From there I went to work for Cargill, Inc as a bean merchant originating soybeans from producers and elevators for their locations in Iowa Falls, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines. The last nine years of my career with Cargill, I was a Grain Marketing Advisor with their full-service Grain Advisory program. Now with Midwest Market Management I have the opportunity to use my experience to assist producers with marketing, basis trading, and managing risk. I will be that second set of eyes to look for opportunities and hopefully take some of the emotion out of their marketing. I live in an empty nest in Ames with my wife Kristie and have two children, Jeremy and Kelli. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family and golf.