www.auri.org
CROOKSTON, Minn. (February 12, 2026) — The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) – the Minnesota nonprofit organization that has helped Minnesota agribusinesses generate more than $188 million in new annual sales in the last five years – elected new members to its board of directors during the organization’s annual meeting in January.
Newly elected members, Brian Hansen of Scoular and Rep. Paul Anderson, will serve on AURI’s 11-person board, which is made up of representatives of the state’s farm organizations, commodity groups, agribusinesses, as well as at-large roles and members of the Minnesota House and Senate agriculture committees.
“We are excited for Brian Hansen and Rep. Paul Anderson to join the board of directors and share their knowledge and expertise to advance AURI’s mission to expand agricultural markets to benefit Minnesota agriculture,” says Federico Tripodi, AURI Board of Directors Chair. “Their leadership will contribute to shaping AURI’s future and, in turn, the success and vitality of the agricultural ecosystem consisting of farmers, agribusinesses, ag entrepreneurs, and so many others across the state.”
Hansen brings nearly two decades of experience from across the food and pharmaceutical industries. He is based in Minneapolis and is general manager of the Food Innovation business at Scoular, where he leads strategy and growth for the company’s food ingredients business. Under his leadership, the business delivers innovative ingredient solutions to leading CPG companies across North America. Scoular’s broad portfolio includes proteins, fibers, fats and oils, sweeteners, and other functional ingredients. Hansen oversees teams responsible for developing and commercializing new ingredient solutions, maintaining close alignment with customer needs, market trends, and the practical realities of scaling innovation in the food industry. Prior to Scoular, Hansen held business development and commercial roles at Hormel (Century Foods), Novo Nordisk, and Boehringer Ingelheim.
Hansen notes: “Minnesota’s agricultural ecosystem is uniquely positioned to lead in food and bioindustrial innovation. I’m excited to work alongside the board and AURI’s team to help expand markets, support entrepreneurs, and drive long-term economic vitality across our rural communities.”
Anderson is a fourth-generation farmer and a graduate of the University of Minnesota. With help from extended family, he and his wife operate a 750-acre grain farm in Starbuck, Minnesota, in Pope County. Alongside farming, Anderson has represented his rural West Central Minnesota district in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2008, advocating for policies that support the region’s agricultural heritage, rural way of life, and economic vitality. He currently serves as co-chair of the Minnesota House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee, where he plays a key leadership role in shaping legislation that impacts Minnesota’s farmers, rural communities, and food systems. Prior to serving in the Legislature, Anderson was involved in local government, serving as a county commissioner, a member of the school board, and a township officer.
Hansen will serve a three-year term, while Anderson will represent the MN House Ag Committee for the remainder of this legislative session.
Additionally, Lauren McNamara, Senior Vice President of Business Management at SunOpta, and Joe Serbus, MN Soybean Research and Promotion Council Director, were each re-elected to three-year terms representing an agribusiness and commodity council role on the AURI Board.
To learn more about AURI board members or the work of the nonprofit organization, visit its website at www.auri.org.
AURI news release
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