Kevin R. Peterson, business development director – Titan Series, Vortex, has received the Outstanding Service Award from Kansas State University's Department of Grain Science & Industry.

"We are very proud to have Kevin recognized for Vortex's involvement with the students, faculty and staff at KSU's Grain Science program," said Lee Young, co-founder and executive chairman at Vortex. "It exemplifies the passion our employees have to help further grain science education." 

Peterson's involvement with the KSU Grain Science Department began several decades ago from his acquaintanceship with KSU faculty member, Fred Fairchild. The two of them agreed that an annual campus visit with the Vortex Mobile Display Unit (MDU) would be a great introduction for grain science students to learn more about Vortex equipment. Peterson personally conducted those MDU presentations for many years, and the presentations continue today.

When the Hal Ross Flour Mill was being considered, Peterson championed a sizable donation of slide gates and diverter valves on behalf of Vortex. Vortex again stepped forward when Peterson and Fairchild worked on an even larger donation of slide gates and diverter valves for the O.H. Kruse Feed Technology Innovation Center.

Additionally, Vortex supports the Grain Science Department by hosting tours at their manufacturing facility in Salina, Kansas, USA. Vortex also donates funds for students to travel to the annual Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) Conference, giving them the opportunity to network with industry professionals.

Peterson has spent most of his life working with grains. After graduating from Bethany College with a degree in business and economics, he was a sales representative for a grain handling equipment manufacturer. He later promoted hybrid seed, prior to his partnership in a grain brokerage firm. The firm purchased and transported Kansas farm-stored grains to feedlots, flour mills and rail terminals. For the past 20 years, Peterson has worked at Vortex in different capacities, including marketing director and regional sales manager.

In addition to his responsibilities at Vortex, Peterson has served on various committees for the Kansas Grain and Feed Dealers' Association and the International Association of Operative Millers (IAOM). He is also a contributing member of the International Milling Education Foundation (IMEF).