The Credential Effect

The Credential Effect

From Fairways to Feed Bins

Eric Gilbert's career didn't begin in agriculture-or anything close to it. In fact, in 2018 he was more familiar with a nine-iron than a grain auger. Fresh out of college with a degree in sport management, Eric found himself drawn to spending his days outdoors and began working on a golf course grounds crew in Ohio. But a chance encounter changed everything.

A local elevator owner, who happened to be a member of the golf course, struck up a conversation and offered Eric a job in grain operations. At the time, Eric had never set foot in a grain elevator and couldn't define a bushel. But the offer came at the right time, and he jumped at the opportunity.

The Credential That Builds Leaders

The CGOM credential is one of GEAPS' professional designations for grain handling and grain processing professionals. It's designed to give operators a deeper understanding of their work and help them advance into leadership roles.

To earn this credential, participants complete a series of online courses that cover both the fundamentals and the complexities of grain operations.

The curriculum includes six courses:

• Management Basics for Grain Facility Supervisors
• Grain Facilities Planning and Design I
• Grain Quality Management
• Quality Management Systems for Bulk Materials Handling Operations
• Entry Level Safety
• Materials Handling I

For Eric, the program was more than a checklist. It was a chance to connect the dots between the "how" he had learned on the job and the "why" behind it.

"I've always believed in education," he said. "I wanted to understand the science behind the work-the data that supports the decisions we make. The credential helped me marry that knowledge base with real-world application."

A Year of Study-Amid Harvest Seasons

Knowledge Meets Application

The lessons from the credential have already shown up in Eric's day-to-day work. Safety training reinforced the lockout/tagout procedures he and his crew rely on every day. Courses on grain quality and drying came to life during a critical moment last year.

"We were running the dryers, and the grain wasn't within spec," he explained. "I knew we couldn't just crank up the heat. That would make the grain brittle and less marketable. The coursework reminded me to take a methodical approach. It gave me the rationale to guide our team through it step by step."

The CGOM credential is not only a tool of growth for regular GEAPS members, but associate members benefit as well. GEAPS board director and structural engineer at Keen Project Solutions, Matthew Schmitt, is another proud recipient of this credential.

"I started the credentialing process when I was still in grad school," Matthew recalled. "At the time, I was working for a company that served the ag sector. I wanted cross-functional training-something that would help me understand the facilities I was designing for."

He found the CGOM especially valuable as a baseline. "It gives everybody a good foundation for the grain industry-safety, grain quality, facility design." Matthew has often found himself referring back to the material in the courses.

He notes that through this education, associate members can better understand clients' businesses and the decisions that drive them. "You can't overvalue the benefit of being able to speak the same language as your clients and colleagues. GEAPS credentials make that possible," said Matthew.

A Passion for Continuous Growth

Both Eric Gilbert's and Matthew Schmitt's career trajectories reflect a pattern beyond their shared involvement in the grain industry. They are both passionate about learning and apply newfound knowledge to conquer any challenges that arise.

"Anywhere I can keep learning, I will," said Eric. "You can't know too much in this industry. Every bit of knowledge makes me better at my job and helps me support my team."

That passion for growth has fueled his rise from a complete newcomer to a leader responsible for guiding crews through complex operations at a modern facility.

For Matthew, as someone outside day-to-day elevator operations, the courses provided an inside look at the systems and decisions driving the industry. From graduate student to structural engineer (and now as a GEAPS board director), he has built his career on a blend of engineering expertise and commitment to enhancing his grain industry knowledge.

Who Should Earn the CGOM?

Having recently completed the program, Eric Gilbert has a clear idea of who might benefit most. "It's perfect for someone ready to move operations to a supervisor," he said. "It helps when you already have some basic knowledge and want to make this a career."

His advice for anyone considering it? "If you want to do it, do it now. Don't wait for the perfect time-because there won't be one."

And from GEAPS' multi-credentialed leader, Matthew Schmitt recommends credential programs to those early in their careers as well. "The first two years out of school is when these courses can make the biggest impact. They give you that essential industry context you just don't get in a degree program."

The practicality of the GEAPS credentialling program also shows up on resumes. "It's not practical to list a dozen different courses," Matthew explained. "But in saying I have a credential in Grain Operations Management, I can communicate a whole skill set in one line. The CGOM credential bundles the knowledge in a way that makes sense."

The "Elevator" Pitch: Why Credentials Matter

These two stories highlight a broader truth in the grain handling and processing industries: most new hires enter with little or no experience. In Eric Gilbert's case, his journey started with no agriculture background. For Matthew Schmitt, his civil engineering degrees led him to a path analyzing structures with grain facilities as his professional canvas.

Structured learning, like GEAPS' credential programs, is a path to give professionals the confidence and competence to build long-term careers. For companies, investing in credentials helps strengthen safety culture, improve operational efficiency, and support workforce retention.

"It's going to help more than it's going to hurt you," Eric said. "The time you put in will be worth it." His journey is proof that the right mix of opportunity, mentorship, and education can open unexpected doors. His CGOM credential is more than a piece of paper-it's a milestone in a career built on curiosity, persistence, and the drive to keep learning.

And he's not done yet. As Eric put it: "Why stop now? Every time I learn something new, it makes me better. And there's always more to learn."

For individuals interested in pursuing a GEAPS credential or companies or facilities looking to enroll up-and-coming leaders, reach out to [email protected].

Visit https://www.geaps.com/training-education/credentials/ to learn more.