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Meet the Team
Get to know our team.
Alan Knobloch, President
Alan was born and raised in the Wyoming, IL area on a second-generation grain farm. Shortly after he was married to his wife, Mary Ann, in 1985, he moved to Annawan and managed the production side of a 1,800-acre corn and soybean farm for an elderly individual who was close to retirement. After a four-year stint in Annawan, Alan moved back to the Peoria area and started working for Akron Services, a privately owned chemical, fertilizer, and grain dealer. Alan was offered the opportunity to step into the grain merchandising role in 1990, an opportunity he took to immediately.
In 1995, Akron Services decided it would be beneficial to offer marketing and grain merchandising support to its cash grain clients. Alan facilitated a partnership with Ida Hurley and opened the "Hurley and Associates" branch office in Brimfield. After a six-year relationship, the direction was changed as Larry Clay became a partner, and Cornbelt Marketing, Inc. was formed.
Alan's main responsibilities are with Akron Services, managing the company's merchandising, which mostly serves the Illinois River market stretching from Hennepin to Havana, as well as truck markets in the surrounding area. Alan brings this valuable insight to merchandising recommendations for Cornbelt Marketing, Inc., and its client base, serving as a key component for successful marketing.
When not at work, Alan stays occupied with family, particularly his grandchildren, church activities, and tending to duties serving his family's Clydesdale stock and show business, Alamar Acres.
Sam Hudson, Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer
Sam was born and raised on a fifth-generation corn and soybean farm in Central Illinois, remaining active on the farm until his father's retirement in 2019. Since then, Sam has turned his focus toward Cornbelt Marketing, Inc., taking company ownership and leadership responsibilities as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer.
Sam has been Series 3 licensed since 2008 and enjoys working closely with agricultural producers across the company in the field of commodity marketing and risk management.
With an array of marketing tools to choose from, Sam emphasizes not only the importance of sound decision-making but the authority in doing so. These partnerships allow clients to manage risk with a healthy approach while still managing inventory along the way.
Sam offers radio and television commentary on occasion for a variety of networks, including "U.S. Farm Report" and RFD-TV.
Sam resides in Brimfield, and when not at work, enjoys spending time with his wife, Hiral, and two children, Charlie and Juliana.
Larry was raised on a grain and livestock farm outside of Princeville, IL. Upon entering his freshman year in high school, his family moved to town, but Larry continued to work part-time for a local farmer in his spare time.
Larry attended Illinois Central College and began working at a country elevator in 1974, and by 1975 was starting to get into grain merchandising.
After attending Illinois State University and studying Ag Business, Larry graduated in 1981. Upon graduating, he went to work for Archer Daniels Midland in Peoria as a grain merchandiser and commodity broker.
In 1998, Larry partnered with Alan Knobloch in what is now Cornbelt Marketing, Inc., and continues to work as an Associated Person.
Larry and his wife, Deb, reside in Peoria. They have two daughters and grandchildren to keep them busy in their spare time.
Brock Beadle, Associated Person & Branch Manager in Bancroft, IA
Brock grew up a couple of miles from the Iowa-Minnesota state line on a farm that his family has proudly farmed for more than 75 years. After attending Iowa State University, Brock went to work full time, buying grain at the farm level with a local elevator and an ethanol plant. After encountering the frustration that farmers experienced with marketing, he decided to help on the farmer side of the fence and started a branch office location with Cornbelt Marketing, Inc. in 2019.
Brock has always enjoyed educating producers about the tools available to capture different opportunities in the marketplace. Market knowledge has always been a priority for him. He believes having a solid understanding of the "how," "why," and "when" is important when executing any marketing plan.
When Brock's away from his desk, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Calee, son Casey, and Daughter Josie, as well as helping out with the family farm, and chasing roosters with his bird dog.
Tyler Endress, Associated Person & Grain Merchandiser
Tyler was raised on a family corn and soybean farm in rural Galva, IL, where he grew a love for all-things agriculture. After high school, Tyler received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and worked at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria for eight years as an RN. Feeling an inward pull to get back to his farming roots, he accepted a job with Akron Services Inc. and Cornbelt Marketing Inc. in the Summer of 2020. As a commodities broker and grain merchandiser, Tyler has a strong desire to build relationships with clients and help them manage their marketing risk for their farming operations.
In his spare time, Tyler enjoys spending time with his wife Leah, sons Jesse and Grady, and daughters Jacie and Carlie. He also enjoys spending time helping on the family farm, traveling to visit family and friends, and participating in his church’s activities.
