Names in the News
New hires, promotions, retirements
Manheim named district manager for Brock Grain Systems
Michael Manheim has been named district manager for Brock Grain Systems. In his new role, Manheim will develop strategies and execute plans to grow sales through distribution channels and key accounts within the Western Corn Belt and Pacific Northwest regions of the United States. Manheim brings a total of 27 years of grain industry experience to his new position with CTB. He has held various positions throughout his career such as district sales manager, National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) specialist, regional sales and service manager, territory sales and service manager and resident field technician.
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MiddleGround Capital hires Christopher Speight as partner
MiddleGround Capital, a Lexington, Kentucky-based operationally focused private equity firm that makes control investments in lower middle market industrial B2B and specialty distribution companies in North America and Europe, recently announced that Christopher Speight has joined as a Partner. Speight will initially will assume responsibility for fund accounting and management company accounting functions.Read more
AGI hires executive vice president of global operations
Ag Growth International (AGI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kate Glasser to the position of executive vice president of global operations. In this new role, Glasser will lead and manage AGI’s global business functions including product management, sales execution, manufacturing, supply chain, and engineering. Glasser will work out of the AGI Naperville, Ill., office.Glasser joins AGI from Henkel AG & Co., where she held the role of corporate vice president of adhesive electronic industrials leading a global team responsible for delivering P&L results. Read more
Joel Brandenberger to retire as National Turkey Federation President, CEO
After 33 years with the National Turkey Federation (NTF), including 17 years as president and chief executive officer, Joel Brandenberger will retire on June 30, 2024. The announcement was made today by NTF Chairman Steve Lykken.Brandenberger joined NTF in May 1991 as director of public affairs. He was promoted to vice president of legislative affairs in 1995 and senior vice president for legislative affairs in 2001 before becoming NTF’s fifth CEO in December 2006.Read more
Topigs Norsvin welcomes new hires
Topigs Norsvin announced it has hired two additional team members, Jim Schirmer and Kyle Thomas.
Jim Schirmer has joined the company as director of operations. Schirmer will be responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities for Topigs Norsvin USA and leading the local R&D team. Kyle Thomas has joined the company as multiplication & production specialist and will collaborate with customers to optimize the value of our productsRead more
Evonik appoints head of the amino acids business of animal nutrition
Evonik has appointed Dr. Dirk Hoehler as the new head of its essential nutrition product line, under which Evonik is consolidating its amino acids portfolio. Hoehler will take over the role from Dr. Jan-Olaf Barth, who has been promoted to become the head of its high performance polymers business line of Evonik.
Hoehler will be responsible for overseeing the continued transformation of the amino acids business by focusing on sustainability, efficiency, and cost-leadership. In particular, he will continue to implement the global methionine asset strategy developed to secure Evonik’s leading position in methionine.
Biotalys announces Kevin Helash as CEO
Biotalys, an agricultural technology company developing protein-based biocontrol solutions for crop and food protection, recently appointed seasoned agricultural executive Kevin Helash as the company’s new chief executive officer (CEO). Helash, currently CEO of EnviroKure, will take on his new responsibilities upon termination of his current engagement, at the latest on December 1. Helash will replace Patrice Sellès, who will then step down from his position as CEO and director in mutual agreement with the company. Sellès has agreed to remain in an advisory role for 30 days from the end of his appointment to ensure a smooth transition.Read more
Boulden to lead two Tyson Foods divisions
Tyson Foods announced it will combine its Prepared Foods business unit with the company’s Growth organization. Melanie Boulden has been named group president of Prepared Foods, an expansion of her current role as chief growth officer at Tyson Foods. This approach will directly support the company’s vision and strategy focused on value creation, continued growth and the customer and consumer experience. Boulden will now oversee Tyson Foods’ broad retail, foodservice and ecommerce portfolio which includes the company’s beloved brands such as Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm and Ball Park.
Burkum named CEO of U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action
The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action (USFRA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Kevin Burkum, a senior leader in food and agriculture, has been selected as chief executive officer of USFRA. Burkum will assume the role on Monday, October 9.
USFRA board members unanimously selected Burkum to lead the organization as it charts a new path to collaboratively address critical issues facing U.S. agriculture and global food and renewable energy systems.Read more
Cline to serve as NPPC director of policy communications
Meghan Cline has joined the National Pork Producers Council as director of policy communications. In her role, she will focus on strategies for effectively communicating NPPC’s policy positions to a wide variety of audiences, including producers, lawmakers, the media and consumers.Cline most recently served as the director of communications for JBS USA and Pilgrim's. Prior to that, she served as the press secretary and communications director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, under Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan. She also served as NPPC assistant director of communications.Read more
Christensen Farms announces leadership succession
Christensen Farms President and Chief Executive Officer Glenn Stolt, a 13-year veteran of the company, has announced his intention to retire from his position during the latter part of 2024. Greg Howard is being promoted to president, effective immediately.Stolt remains CEO and a member of the board of directors. He will also continue to represent Christensen Farms on the board of Triumph Foods.
Intradco Global names Charlie McMullen as chief executive officer
Intradco Global, a world-leading animal transport specialist and part of Chapman Freeborn and Avia Solutions Group, has named Charlie McMullen as chief executive officer.
McMullen began his career at Intradco Global in 2011 as a stall manager and in-flight project manager; positions which afforded him a hands-on approach that developed his experience and knowledge of the intricacies of animal transport.
He became director in 2015, taking over from his father, Eddie McMullen, who established the company in 1987.Read more
