Futures Experience. Industry Insight. Markets Knowledge.
International Futures Group (IFG) was founded in 1994 by principals Steven Erdman, Thomas Fritz, and Lee Gaus. Together we have over 100 years of cumulative experience in the commodity futures industry. We credit our Midwestern values and ethics for our record of longevity in this volatile and ever changing industry.
This is who we are.
Traders. Brokers. Contributors. Advisors. Speakers. Authors. Partners. Leaders.
Steve Erdman
President
Steve grew up on the family farm in central Illinois before graduating from the University of Illinois. He began his career in 1980 with ADM as a cash trader and commodity broker in the Peoria office. In 1984 Steve was transferred to ADM Investor Services-Chicago where he was promoted to Vice-President of Sales. A member of the Chicago Board of Trade, Steve used his experience as a cash and futures trader to work with customers from around the country. In 1994 he co-founded IFG where he brings vast experience in the area of options trading and continues to educate traders through hosted webinars.
Lee Gaus
Vice-President
A 1974 graduate of Illinois State University Lee began his career working for Cargill and subsequently accepted a position as grain merchandiser-commodity broker with Archer Daniels Midland of Decatur. From 1974 to 1983 Lee traded cash commodities and futures from the Decatur and Kansas City offices. In 1983 he was transferred to Chicago and promoted to Sr. Vice-President of Marketing for ADM Investor Services and co-founded IFG in 1994. Lee is author of Futures Trading Lessons Learned: A Lifetime of Futures and Commodities Trading Education. Specializing in trends and reversals, Lee also hosts webinars examining models, commodity trends, and numbers.
Thomas Fritz
Secretary/Treasurer
Tom Fritz is a third generation commodity futures trader. His grandfather and his father were traders on the exchange. Tom began his career in 1971 with Tabor Grain which was later acquired by Archer Daniels Midland. Prior to co-founding IFG in 1994 Tom was the lead Chicago Board of Trade floor analyst for ADM. He produces Just My Opinion, a daily grain commentary that is well respected and viewed all over the world.