Joe Smentek is Executive Director of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA). For the past 12 years, he has used his environmental law expertise to help advance the productivity and profitability of Minnesota's soybean farmers.  

Joe holds a J.D. from Hamline University School of Law and an LL.M. in Environmental Law from Pace University School of Law. He focuses much of his time working with state lawmakers and regulators to help craft legislation and rules to protect Minnesota's farmers and prevent harmful regulations. Working with lawmakers and agency officials in St. Paul, he helped lead Minnesota's adoption of the country's only 20% volume biodiesel mandate.  

In Washington D.C., Joe and MSGA work with the American Soybean Association on renewable fuel standards, farm bills, endangered species act issues and more. He has worked on non-tariff trade barriers in the EU and Asia, helping to ensure robust export markets for Minnesota's soybean crop.  

Joe lives in Mankato, Minn., with his wife, Dr. Katie Smentek, and their three children. Before joining MSGA in 2013, he spent several years as an assistant county prosecutor in two southern Minnesota counties.  

Fun fact: Joe is a level 50 Pokémon Go Trainer, the game's highest attainable title.