Anshu Singh, Director, Sustainability and Conservation, Corn Belt Ports
Chris Smith, Operations Director, Corn Belt Ports
Robert “Bob” Sinkler, Executive Coordinating Director, Corn Belt Ports

 

Prior to 2019 there were no U.S Inland Ports in the Heart of the Corn Belt. Between 2020 and 2022 four new regional top-ranked Corn Belt Ports were created and federally recognized that now handle nearly 100 million tons of freight. Since 2022, Corn Belt Ports attracted over two billion dollars in multi-modal and natural infrastructure investment from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and other funding sources. The recognition of the Corn Belt Ports has clearly enabled Rural (Downstate) Illinois to be more competitive for direct and indirect investment.  Join us for an overview of new investment and impacts, and conversations around economic development for the Upper Mississippi Region.

 

Presenters:

Dr. Anshu Singh has over 20 years of experience in wetland science, soil characterization, plant (aquatic and terrestrial) identification and urban landscaping. She brings extensive experience in large aquatic ecosystems, analyzing and interpreting surface water quality issues. During her PhD program, she conducted research at Nahant Marsh, one of the largest urban wetlands on the Upper Mississippi River. She assessed and evaluated the presence and distribution of metals in water, soil, sediment, and [aquatic and terrestrial] plants to support informed restoration decision-making. In addition to scientific studies, she also provided technical support for the development of Phase 1 and 2 Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) of the property and contributed to an important conservation effort in the Quad Cities that also had implications for site assessment and remediation at historically contaminated sites located along the Mississippi River corridor. Beyond her contributions to aquatic environmental science, Anshu has experience as a horticulturist and an entrepreneur. She is an Iowa Master Gardener and is a regular participant in conservation initiatives across the Quad Cities region – Like the entire Corn Belt Ports team, she invests in the environmental well-being of our communities. Anshu is Director of Sustainability and Conservation for Corn Belt Ports and involved in planning projects, building teams and coalitions to improve ecosystem sustainability in the Upper Mississippi River system (Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers).

Chris Smith is currently Operations Director for the Corn Belt Ports. His career has focused on working in complex environments with wide ranging cultures, organizations, and people.  Most recently Chris managed the implementation and improvement of a program supporting the Army education system affecting 35,000 soldiers annually.  He built coalitions with a shared vision, drafted policies and business rules and designed a methodology to measure the program’s effectiveness. Previously, Chris was the Director of Operations for a company that provided services throughout the U.S and along with his team managed in a one-year period over 75 wide ranging projects.   He steered the planning, budget, and management of daily activities for the three business units. While in the military he led an organization that conducted over 35 projects throughout the U.S. and Pacific region in a one-year period.  He managed a $10 M budget and with his team implemented projects which involved coordination with industry, non-governmental organizations, state, federal, and foreign government agencies. Chris also served as Director of Operations for a Special Forces organization and in this position, over a one-year period, he and his team managed and supported the implementation of over 100 projects throughout the U.S. and in 17 countries involving coordination with a diverse range of organizations.  

Robert “Bob” Sinkler is the Executive Coordinating Director of the Corn Belt Ports.  Most recently Bob was the Vice President for Government Programs in the biotech company Allonnia, focused on solving large environmental challenges with nature. Prior to that he was Chief Operating Officer for Streamside Systems, Inc. Streamside is a Veteran-led company that provides innovative and environmentally superior technologies and solutions to address the Nation’s most complex water resources problems.  Bob also was the Vice President, Technology and Commercialization in the Environment Sector at INTREXON Corporation. INTREXON provided technology solutions to leading companies for the deployment of biologically based products that addressed some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Bob served as the director of water resources infrastructure for The Nature Conservancy’s North America Water Program. In this position, he and his team focused on implementing interagency integrated water resources management in large watersheds, —particularly with the nation’s largest river systems, and delivering water infrastructure projects. Prior to joining the Conservancy, Bob served as principle strategic advisor to the Chief of Engineers and Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), where he assisted the Chief of Engineers in setting the strategic direction for USACE, the world’s largest public engineering, design, and construction management agency. He also served as Chief of Army Environmental Programs in the Pentagon where he developed and managed $1.5 B in annual environmental programs that enabled the Army to maintain compliance with environmental laws worldwide and execute environmental clean-up and remediation actions. From 2009 to 2011, Bob commanded a USACE task force responsible for designing and constructing the segment of the $14.4 billion Hurricane Storm Surge System for the greater New Orleans area in the places hardest hit in 2005 by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (primarily Orleans and St. Bernard Parishes). Bob also commanded the Rock Island District (USACE) where he led the planning for, operations and maintenance of, and construction to support more than $30 billion of Federal navigation, flood risk reduction, hydropower, environmental and recreational infrastructure in parts of the five Upper Mississippi River Basin states. He led the on the ground execution of the Corps’ response to the devastating Midwest floods in 2008. Bob has served as the federal representative on the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East Coastal Advisory Committee, the Illinois River Coordinating Council, and the Iowa Water Resources Coordinating Council. He was a founding member of the Executive Board for America’s Watershed Initiative: Charting a Course for the Future of the Mississippi River Watershed, and on the steering committee for the Caterpillar, Inc. sponsored Natural Infrastructure Market Initiative. Since 2013, Bob has been a Senior Advisor at Dawson & Associates, the nation’s premier firm for resolving complex challenges involving Federal water resources and environmental regulatory policy and procedures. Bob also serves as the Water Resources Infrastructure Director for the Heart of Illinois Regional Port District on the Illinois River and Waterway.