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Starbuck Today
By the People, for the People
AURI Elects New Board Members
Agricultural nonprofit organization adds business leader and state legislator to its board.
Published on Feb. 20, 2026
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The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI), a Minnesota nonprofit that has helped agribusinesses generate over $188 million in new annual sales, has elected two new members to its 11-person board of directors. Brian Hansen of Scoular and Rep. Paul Anderson, a fourth-generation farmer, will join the board and contribute their expertise to AURI's mission of expanding agricultural markets and supporting the state's agricultural ecosystem.
Why it matters
AURI plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and growth in Minnesota's agricultural industry. The addition of Hansen and Anderson to the board brings valuable business and policy experience that can help guide AURI's strategic direction and maximize its impact on the state's farmers, agribusinesses, and rural communities.
The details
Hansen, the general manager of Scoular's Food Innovation business, has nearly two decades of experience across the food and pharmaceutical industries. He will serve a three-year term on the AURI board. Anderson, a fourth-generation farmer and Minnesota state representative, will represent the Minnesota House Agriculture Committee on the board for the remainder of the current legislative session. The board also re-elected Lauren McNamara of SunOpta and Joe Serbus of the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council to three-year terms.
- AURI held its annual meeting in January 2026 where the new board members were elected.
- Hansen and Anderson will begin their board terms immediately.
The players
Brian Hansen
General manager of the Food Innovation business at Scoular, with nearly two decades of experience in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Rep. Paul Anderson
A fourth-generation farmer and Minnesota state representative who has served on the House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee since 2008.
Lauren McNamara
Senior Vice President of Business Management at SunOpta, re-elected to a three-year term on the AURI board.
Joe Serbus
Director of the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, re-elected to a three-year term on the AURI board.
Federico Tripodi
Chair of the AURI Board of Directors.
What they’re saying
“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.”
— Federico Tripodi, AURI Board of Directors Chair
“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.”
— Brian Hansen
The takeaway
The addition of business leader Brian Hansen and state legislator Paul Anderson to AURI's board brings valuable expertise that can help the nonprofit organization continue to drive innovation and growth in Minnesota's agricultural sector, benefiting farmers, agribusinesses, and rural communities across the state.
