The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast

Dr. Keri Carstens is Chief Executive Officer for Jord BioScience, a leading global provider of novel microbial technology solutions to agriculture products companies. Keri grew up on a farm, continues to farm, and has devoted her career to delivering safe, sustainable solutions that benefit farmers globally. Prior to Jord, Keri spent 14 years at Corteva Agriscience, where she led global regulatory...

In this captivating episode of the Intentional Agribusiness Leader podcast, host Mark Jewell sits down with Clark Bell, CEO of Nano-Yield, to discuss the intricacies of leading with intention in the rapidly evolving sector of agribusiness. Right from the onset, listeners are treated to a stimulating conversation that dives deep into what it means for a leader to be purposeful, impactful, and relen...

In this engaging episode of the Intentional Agribusiness Leader podcast, we sit down with Chad Pinter, CEO of Western Milling, for an insightful conversation about leadership, intentionality, culture, and the evolving dynamics of agribusiness. Chad shares his unique leadership journey and the decisions that have shaped the growth and culture of Western Milling, a company deeply entrenched in the f...

Cory Willness is the CEO of Croptomistic Technology Inc., a company that significantly impacts the agricultural industry through innovative technology solutions. Corey has an entrepreneurial spirit, having ventured into the world of startups for over 16 years before stepping into his role as the CEO. A visionary with a passion for agriculture and technology, Corey has shaped the company into a suc...

John Finegan is the founder and original CEO of Beck Ag, with a rich history in agriculture and business leadership. With a desire to create a company that differed from typical ad agencies, he built Beck Ag with a focus on experience and professionalism akin to industry giants like Deloitte and McKinsey. Stephanie Liska is the former CEO of Beck Ag and the current president of Kincannon & Ree...

Gaji Balakaneshan is President of Midwestern BioAg, a 40-year old leader in soil health and one of the 100 largest agricultural retailers in the U.S. Since joining in March of 2021 as Vice President – Finance, Gaji has helped lead the sales organization and develop strategic and commercial opportunities for the business.  He brings over 16 years of experience in strategic planning, mergers an...

With a successful track record in sales, marketing, negotiation, procurement, lending, finance, and energy within the agricultural retail cooperative sector, Guy brings valuable expertise to the table. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness Economics from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, he has honed his skills over the years. Throughout his journey, Guy has excell...

Scott Sanders has over 23 years of experience as a finance/accounting and business development professional.  Mr. Sanders is currently the general manager at Peterson Farms Seed, where he is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company, helping drive forward the long-term vision by dreaming up the future for the company.  Peterson Farms Seed is a privately-owned agricultural...

Danny Leckie leads a national not for profit, HATCH, that is focused on being the most reliable source of animal protein to hunger relief organizations nationwide. Serving 33 states and 86 food banks HATCH is bringing in a new era of nutrition security. Prior to his time at HATCH, Danny held roles in sales, marketing and product management at Corteva Agriscience. He is a husband, father to 3 child...

Scott Black is a well-established and transformative CEO with a track record for developing teams and revamping culture to ensure continued organizational growth. Since joining Five Star Cooperative, Scott has been focused on instilling a culture of caring, which is retooling the cooperative’s DNA and setting its course to prosperity. By leveraging his expertise and extensive background in agricul...

Wally Beecroft has an extensive track record of senior-level business leadership in the agriculture, commercial horticulture, and the food industries.   Since 2019, he has served as Chief Executive Officer of Exacto, Inc. an established market leader in adjuvant solutions in several markets including agriculture, turf and ornamental, and industrial vegetation management. Previously, he served...

Ryan Hassebrook is the president and CEO of ServiTech, Inc., the nation's largest crop consulting and agricultural laboratory. Ryan works daily with ServiTech's team of industry leading agronomists and foremost laboratory experts to accomplish the company's vision of "sustainably creating a more productive world." He and his wife, Kristen, along with their two daughters, Hannah and Amelia, reside...

Trey Curtis is the CEO and owner of Concept AgriTek, headquartered in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. As a leader in the agribusiness domain, Trey has established himself as a symbol of hard work and dedication. He has a hands-on approach to leadership, learned from his father, and a commitment to setting an example by being willing to do any task within the company. With expertise in agronomy and a kna...

In this engaging episode, host Mark welcomes Josh O'Brien from Yieldmaster Solutions for a deep dive into the makings of an intentional agribusiness leader. The conversation revolves around core aspects of leadership, authenticity, team building, and maintaining a thriving company culture in the high-demand world of agribusiness. O'Brien shares his wisdom on staying authentic in business, managing...

Michael Helms, a proud native of Peachland, NC, embarked on a remarkable journey that intertwined his passion for agriculture with a steadfast commitment to leadership. Graduating from NC State University with a degree in Agricultural Economics, Michael delved into the feed industry, dedicating 42 years to honing his expertise. His illustrious career included pivotal roles at renowned companies su...

Jim Ed Beach, a native of Oklahoma, grew up on a purebred cow-calf operation in the northeastern part of the state.  In high school, he was an active member of the Westville FFA Chapter and received his American FFA Degree.  Beach graduated from Oklahoma State University, in 1994, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, majoring in Animal Science...

Cary Crum, featured in this episode of the Intentional Agribusiness Leader podcast, comes with a wealth of experience in both the food space and the farm space. With a deep-rooted background in sales within these industries, Crum has transitioned his expertise into the agribusiness sector, focusing on ag retail and manufacturing. He now plays a significant leadership role at Agri Technovation Cali...

Michael Pisciotta serves as the Director of Agronomy for the southern US at Timac Agro USA. In 6 years with Timac Agro his responsibilities have grown as he is involved in his current capacity with product management, marketing, research, development and regulatory aspects for this dynamic specialty fertilizer manufacturer. As a Certified Crop Advisor and a 4R Nutrient Management Specialist, Micha...

Don Sutton, is a lifelong resident of Ohio being born and raised in rural Richland County, Ohio.   Graduated from The Ohio State University twice, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and second a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy, specializing in Turfgrass Science. Since graduating from college has resided in the Central Ohio area.   Has a 17 year career in golf course maintenance tha...

Brad Paschen is an experienced agribusiness professional with a wealth of knowledge in the field of agricultural science and leadership. He serves as a Regional Business Manager for the Midwest with ProFarm, where he has applied his expertise to drive growth and development within the organization. Brad leads with a focus on intentional leadership, leveraging his years of experience to guide his t...

Growing up on a university research farm, Mike Howell developed an interest in agriculture at a young age. While active in 4-H as a child, Howell learned to appreciate agriculture and the programs that would shape his career. Howell holds a Bachelor of Science degree in soil science and a Master of Science degree in entomology from Mississippi State University. He has more than 20 years of experie...

Justin Powell is a seasoned professional in the agribusiness sector, serving as a member of the team at NovaSource. With a career spanning over a decade and a half, Justin has cultivated an expertise in sales and leadership that allows him to successfully manage a vast territory and a diverse team. At NovaSource, he plays a central role in executing sales strategies and fostering team culture. Jus...

In this insightful episode of the "Intentional Agribusiness Leader," host Mark Jewell engages Jon Leman of Hello Nature in a thoughtful discussion around the critical aspects of intentional leadership and its influence on corporate culture, employee retention, and strategic growth. John underlines transparency and the ability to differentiate between opportunistic ventures and strategic endeavors...

Mike Steffeck has been the CEO of HGS BioScience, the largest global manufacturer of dry extracted humates, since 2022 and is based in Jacksonville, Florida.  During the 10 years prior to that, Steffeck led a team in the establishment and of growth of Innvictis - a chemical, seed and bioscience company - into a several hundred million dollar company.  In 1993, he started his career with...

With a 27 Year Ag Career History, Justin has spent equal parts of his career in the Production and Manufacturing sectors of Agriculture giving him a deep understanding of needs at the grower, retailer and distributor levels.  For the last 16 years, he has spent has held Sales Management roles for Companies such as WinField United, Lallemand Plant Care and Trace Genomics.   Justin current...