Matt Rice has joined the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Assn. as membership director.

Rice, of Godrey, Ill., comes from the office of Congressman John Shimkus (R-Ill.), where he served as director of projects and grants.

“His work on behalf of the residents of the congressman’s district gave him a unique understanding of the farm equipment industry, agriculture and the rural Midwest,” said Vernon Schmidt, the Association’s executive vice president. “Matt has a great respect and appreciation for the companies this Association represents, and we are thrilled he has joined us.”

The Farm Equipment Manufacturers Assn., which is headquartered in St. Louis, represents about 700 companies from throughout North America that manufacture shortline equipment, a segment of the farm machine industry that designs and produces equipment to complement mass-produced lines — sprayers, for example, or tillage equipment. The Association serves as the collective voice and resource for companies in each link of the shortline supply chain.

“I’ve always been curious about how things are made and have enjoyed visiting manufacturing plants to meet constituents,” Rice said. “I look forward to getting to know the people who are developing innovative, time-saving tools for farmers and working with them to provide Association services to support them as they thrive.”