Names in the News
New hires, promotions, retirements
Rabo AgriFinance names John Steeves as head of Rural Business North America
Rabo AgriFinance, a subsidiary of the global food and agriculture bank Rabobank, today announced John Steeves as its new Head of Rural Business Economics, North America, effective May 1, 2024.
Steeves, a financial services veteran with more than thirty years of experience, will relocate from Edmonton, Canada, to Rabo AgriFinance’s headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri.Steeves, a financial services veteran with more than thirty years of experience, will relocate from Edmonton, Canada, to Rabo AgriFinance’s headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri.
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Rodney Johnson named ACES associate dean for research
Rodney Johnson has been named associate dean for research and director of the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His appointment will begin on June 16, 2024, pending approval by the Board of Trustees.
Johnson comes to the role after serving as head of the Department of Animal Sciences for six years and as a productive and engaged member of the department for more than three decades. He also led the Division of Nutritional Sciences as its director from 2009 to 2018.Read more
CropLife America announces new vice president of government relations
CropLife America (CLA) is pleased to announce that Jeff Blackwood has been selected as vice president of government relations. Blackwood joins CLA on May 28, after more than a decade as the policy lead for the agricultural solutions business of BASF Corporation. He brings years of expertise working with Congress, associations, coalitions, and other stakeholder groups on pesticide issues. Prior to BASF, Jeff spent time working in government relations with associations and as a staffer for two senators and a member of Congress.Read more
Standard Meat Company appoints Blanks as chief commercial officer
Standard Meat Company Co-President Ashli Rosenthal Blumenfeld announced the appointment of Keith Blanks to the position of chief commercial officer at the family-owned firm.
Founded in 1935 and headquartered at the iconic Stockyards in Fort Worth, Standard Meat Company is a meat processing and packaging firm with plants in Dallas, Fort Worth, Saginaw, and Ponder, Texas. An industry leader in quality and innovation, the company is a global supplier of custom meat portioning and packaging solutions for the food service and retail industries.
Sandra Hulm appointed to lead Scoular’s new Renewables & Oilseeds Division
Scoular announced today that it has promoted Sandra Hulm to Senior Vice President, leading the company’s newly formed Renewables & Oilseeds Division.
Hulm currently serves as a Vice President & General Manager at Scoular. In her new role, effective June 1, Hulm will continue to lead Scoular’s Oilseed Processing business and Sunflower, Flax, & Bird Food businesses, in addition to Scoular’s Renewable Fuels and Feedstock businesses.
Topigs Norsvin USA appoints Pinilla as director of technical services
Topigs Norsvin USA, a leading provider of swine genetics and innovative solutions to the pork industry, proudly announces the appointment of Juan Carlos Pinilla, DVM, MS, as director of technical services. With a wealth of experience and expertise in swine genetics and production support, Pinilla will be crucial in driving Topigs Norsvin’s commitment to delivering exceptional technical support to our partners and customers.In his new role, Pinilla will oversee the veterinary services and multiplication and production support services teams. He will provide strategic leadership and guidance to offer technical support and assistance to customers.
TechMix hires Chris Allen as Swine Territory Sales Representative
TechMix has hired Chris Allen as Swine Territory Sales Representative. Chris joins TechMix with the last 18 years of his career focused in the swine industry. Over his career, Chris has guided the full scope of swine operations. From small, independent operations through large, integrated systems, Chris has partnered with these farms to identify products and management practices that fulfilled business objectives and were highly beneficial for enhancing pig welfare and performance. Key to Allen’s career successes to date are his listening, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skill sets. Read more
Feedworks USA expands ruminant salesforce, adding Brandon Karas to the Western U.S.
Feedworks USA, Ltd., is excited to announce Brandon Karas as its new technical ruminant sales manager for the Western U.S. With the addition of Karas, Feedworks USA continues its recent strong growth trajectory and enhances its product sales and support for customers in Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Washington and Oregon.
Karas will work with distributors, nutritionists, veterinarians and producers on dairies, feedlots and cow-calf operations, bringing value to their businesses through the Feedworks USA product portfolio.
Maarten Bijl announced as newly created Chief Digital Officer at Nutreco
Nutreco announces the appointment of Maarten Bijl to the newly created Chief Digital Officer role, effective June 1, 2024. Bijl will also become a member of the Management Board.
Bijl has spent the last 15 years working across SHV companies in roles encompassing strategy, commercial management, and regional general management. The last three years have been spent at Nutreco as Managing Director Trouw Nutrition North America.Read more