Celebrating the Newly Elected WBFI Board Members & Research Foundation Trustees
At the Wild Bird Feeding Institute’s Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, held in November 2025, members and industry partners gathered to celebrate progress, share insights, and chart the future of the backyard wild bird feeding industry. As part of the meeting, WBFI members confirmed the WBFI Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
These leaders represent companies across our diverse industry—from seed and feed suppliers to packaging innovators and retail distributors—and they bring invaluable experience, insight, and passion to the work ahead. We are proud to introduce and honor the 2025–2026 WBFI Board of Directors and Executive Committee:
WBFI Executive Officers
President: Rob Gunstone, Ambassador
Vice-President: Jim Lesch, Wild Birds Unlimited
Second Vice-President: Farrukh Zain, Agritel
Past President: Chris Teprovich, All Star
Treasurer: Craig Brummell, Essex TopCrop
Secretary: Emma Krutsinger, WBFI Executive Director
The following individuals were existing board, members and were re-elected for an additional 3-year term:
- Keith Harrington, Central Bag Company – up for election in 2028
- Jax Mann, All-Star Trading - up for election in 2028
- Marc Audet, Ordena Ag - up for election in 2028
- Donald Corr, Wagner’s, LLC - up for election in 2028
The following members met the required qualifications, and were newly elected to the board:
- Prima Shi, Birdfy
- Sarine Weingarten, Northern Bag & Box
The following individuals whose terms do not expire in 2025, and are continuing their terms:
- Andy Impastato, Gold Crest Distributing - up for election in 2026
- Jim Lesch, Wild Birds Unlimited - up for election in 2026
- Curtis Kuntz, Red River Commodities - up for election in 2026
- Farrukh Zain, Agritel Grain - up for election in 2026
- Erin Lenz, Central Garden & Pet - up for election in 2026
- Charlie Sayner, Cereal Byproducts - up for election in 2026
- Kacy Gehrig, Mountain State Oilseeds- up for election in 2027
- Ryan Zantingh, Armstrong Milling Co. - up for election in 2027
- Dave Netten, All Seasons Wild Bird Store - up for election in 2027
- Craig Brummell, Essex TopCrop- up for election in 2027
- Josh Stasik, Sweet Seed – up for election in 2027
WBFI has a subsidiary 501(c)3 organization: WBFI Research Foundation, that manages and supports research related to the wild birding industry. The following members are Trustees of the organization:
- Josh Stasik, Sweet Seed - President
- Matt Young, FiRN - Vice President
- Holly Merker, Ornitherapy - Second Vice President
- Emma Krutsinger, WBFI – Secretary / Treasurer
- Brian Cunningham, WBU
- Rob Gunstone
- Stephanie Egger, USGS
- Tatsiana Thompson, Brome
- Don Corr, Wagners
Looking Ahead
WBFI is poised for a year of growth—expanding consumer education, supporting scientific research, advocating for industry standards, and fostering collaboration across all sectors of the wild bird feeding community.
We extend our gratitude to these leaders for their dedication and service. Together, we look forward to building a vibrant future for the industry and for everyone who enjoys the simple joy of feeding backyard birds.