The American Sugarbeet Growers Association (ASGA) is proud to announce that after a competitive search process, Zack Clark has been named incoming CEO and Executive Vice President, beginning September 8, 2026.
Clark began with the association in 2019 and currently serves as Vice President of Government Affairs. Prior to joining ASGA, he worked in a variety of roles across Washington including the National Farmers Union, the US House, and US Senate. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and his master’s degree from the National Defense University.
“There are tremendous challenges that currently face the sugar industry. Weather, low prices, high input costs, a flood of foreign sugar, and outdated trade policy combine to create disastrous economic conditions for our industry. Zack enters this role at a very challenging time. Yet he knows our industry well and has worked tirelessly to deliver support to our growers over the past seven years. The board knows and trusts Zack to continue to deliver results for the American sugarbeet grower.” said Clint Hagen, President of ASGA.
“Our industry’s future depends on strong farm programs and fair-trade policies. Given a level playing field, our growers can outcompete anyone in the world. I’ve seen them do it for over forty years,” said Luther Markwart, CEO of the ASGA. “It’s clear Zack greatly respects the American sugarbeet grower and all they provide our nation and their communities. Since coming to ASGA he’s combined his background in public policy with his passion for the American farmer to deliver outcomes for the association’s growers. I am thrilled with the board’s decision, and I know that I leave this association in capable hands when retiring at the end of this year.”
“Working for sugarbeet growers for the last seven years has been a great privilege. It’s difficult to put into words what it means to be selected to lead the grower’s association into the future. This isn’t just about an organization, it’s about their family farms, their coops, and their communities.” said Clark. “I’m grateful for the opportunity and their trust. I look forward to continuing my work alongside talented colleagues to drive policy that contributes to a sustainable future that allows American sugarbeet growers to do what they do best: produce homegrown American sugar.”
ASGA’s mission is to promote the common interest of our members through sound policy, science, and a commitment to future generations. ASGA’s work reinforces the U.S. beet sugar industry’s status as a global leader in technology and sustainability.
Sugarbeets are grown on over 1.1 million acres in 11 states by 10,000 family farmers who, as members of various farmer-owned cooperatives, own all 20 processing factories in the upper Midwest and West. Our factories are run with 100% union labor. The sugar produced from the beet sugar industry is approximately 54% of all the sugar grown in the United States and is essential to the food security of our nation.
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ASGA – 2026
