————————————I joined Husker Genetics as Director in 2003. Throughout my tenure, I performed in several additional and concurrent positions that influenced our growth, profitability, and overall impact in the dynamic and always-evolving agricultural / seed market.————————————Delivered innovative products and seed technologies to the marketplace by promoting wheat, triticale, barley, soybeans, sorghum, dry beans, millet, and grasses to qualifying seed companies. Managed and streamlined operations across multiple locations. Directed business functions for the organization to maximize budgets, increase efficiency, and motivate staff. Partnered with the Agricultural Research Development Center’s Marketing and Promotional Manager to execute new and existing programs.# Introduced new business methodologies.# Turned around operations for stability and then profitability.# Established a culture that aligned with the organization’s vision.# Hosted international trade teams (including Chinese and Egyptian government teams) focusing on intellectual property rights, the Plant Variety Protection Act, and other topics.Identified and capitalized on marketing, commercialization, and licensing opportunities:# Expanded the Husker Genetics brand to represent all agricultural germplasm.# Licensed multiple Roundup Ready soybean lines to mainstream seed brands.# Commercialized the organization’s first Clearfield wheat variety; launched in two market segments.# Developed key partnerships in wheat and soybeans by building the relationship with Bayer CropScience.# Commercialized winter triticale for forage and grain into national and international market segments.

Served as trusted liaison and promoted partnerships with Nebraska commodity boards and grower associations as Commodity Board Liaison for Wheat and Sorghum (2005 to present) with concurrent responsibilities as Commodity Board Liaison for Corn and Soybean (2012 to 2014).# Solicited insights and feedback from the commodity board on current and emerging issues and strategies.# Attended Commodity Board meetings.# Coordinated with the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources International Liaison.

Represented the organization and University to the Nebraska Seed Trade Association, American Seed Trade Association, Biotechnology Industry Organization, Nebraska Crop Improvement Association, and Association of Official Seed Certification Agencies.# Established lines of communication with genetic suppliers such as SoyGenetics and Corn States.# Developed and managed relationships with Monsanto, BASF, Dow, and Bayer.# Contributed to industry, national, and state events and trade shows.

Provided leadership and direction for the Agricultural Research Division and Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station. Managed relationships, drove commercialization and licensing, and coordinated research at the University’s Agricultural Research and Development Center and High Plains Ag Lab regulated field sites.# Maintained accountability for the Biotechnology Quality Management System and Continuous Improvement Software.# Led the intellectual property team (consisting of the Dean and Associate Deans) to build a strategy for maximizing and tracking value from newly developed technologies. Facilitated IP rights, licensing, and commercialization, and provided technical support to NUtech Ventures regarding seed and seed traits.# Served as Chief Liaison to the Executive Director of the Nebraska Innovation Campus. # Represented the Institute of Agriculture & Natural Resources to develop new business and build strategic partnerships.# Promoted the release of commercially viable lines and research germplasm.# Participated in the Variety Release Committee process.# Interfaced with University Extension and Agronomy & Horticulture departments to promote development of biotechnology traits, germplasm, cultivars, and varieties.

Managed vended business in the southern U.S. Independently managed the Dow Agro Sciences and Mycogen account; contributed to Pioneer, Monsanto, Syngenta, Bayer CropScience, PhytoGen, Delta & Pine Land, and Stoneville accounts. Supervised nine employees in three offices.# Participated in the integration of Wilfarm, Agro Distribution, and Country Mark seed businesses into Land O’Lakes.# Served as a trusted advisor and point of contact to retail, wholesale, distribution, production, credit, accounting, and customer service teams on all facets of seed operations. # During a period of substantial change, provided leadership to establish a cohesive organization with a clear understanding of diverse business models and strategies.

Following Wilfarm’s entrance into the vended and proprietary seed business (an opportunity that arose from the acquisition of SF Services, Inc.), established the operational structure, processes, and systems to ensure success. Worked diligently to improve relationships with Asgrow and Dekalb & Hartz.# Established the system to support 1,000 retail accounts.# Coordinated with 50+ warehouses to efficiently handle six species of crop and forage seed.# Significantly increased seed sales.

Promoted from Seed Department Manager to manage the Agricultural Supply division for Hopkinsville Elevator Company in Kentucky. Led and mobilized the team to build new markets and increase business with existing customers for seed, chemicals, fertilizer, and farm supplies.# Increased sales $1.8M annually for fertilizer and chemicals.# Drove seed sales to exceed prior-year totals after only five months as Ag Input and New Markets Manager.In prior role as Seed Department Manager, successfully researched, targeted, and captured new retail and wholesale seed markets for grain and specialty crops.# Improved seed sales 615% (from $325K to $2M annually).# Launched a new production/processing system for seed wheat and soybeans that generated $250K in annual sales.PREVIOUS EXPERIENCEDeveloped firsthand industry experience in early-career roles:>> As General Manager / Co-Owner of Noel Farms & Church Hill Pallets, managed 3,000-acre grain farm operations and launched a commercial pallet plant from the ground up (the start-up yielded $250K per year within the first 18 months). Initiated specialty crop program to produce Amylose 5, Amylose 7, and Waxy Corn.