Domenic Scavola
Manager, Advisory Services
Grant Thornton
Domenic is a manager in Grant Thornton’s Operations Transformation, Sourcing & Supply Chain Practice.
With more than 6 years of supply chain experience, Domenic has spent most of his career advising large multinational companies and middle market companies on how to transform their supply chains. His industry experience covers Manufacturing, Logistics, Retail, Consumer & Industrial Products, Food & Beverage, Technology, and Life Sciences.
Domenic is most recognized for his ability to leverage analytics to support theories drawn from real-world observations. He has a passion for helping his clients navigate the ever-changing supply chain landscape and drive waste out of legacy processes and systems. Domenic challenges the status quo and focuses his efforts on high-impact initiatives that provide tangible benefits in the form of cost minimization, service level improvement, and supply chain responsiveness and resiliency.
Domenic most recently worked at Chainalytics LLC where he was a Supply Chain Strategy & Operations Manager focused on resolving supply chain issues for a portfolio of the firm’s top clients. Prior to that, Domenic worked abroad in Sweden as part of a U.S. private equity team that turned around operations for an emerging medical device manufacturer.
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Manager, Advisory Services
Grant Thornton
Austin Gellings
Agricultural Services Manager
Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Austin Gellings is the Agricultural Services Manager for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).
Austin is a Wisconsin native that grew up on his family farm where he still helps raise hay and livestock today. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens point with a major in marketing. He then attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where he received an MBA.
In his roll with AEM Austin serves as the liaison for AEM’s dairy, manure management, specialty crops, and sprayer equipment groups. He also works with agricultural members to help address and solve various industry issues.
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Agricultural Services Manager
Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Paul Arrington
Executive Director and General Counsel
Idaho Water Users Association
Paul Arrington is Executive Director and General Counsel for the Idaho Water Users Association. Arrington graduated from Boise State University in 2002 with a Bachelor’s of Science, Human Resource Management Emphasis. He then graduated in 2005 from the Gonzaga University School of Law and joined Barker Rosholt & Simpson LLP later that year, where his law practice focused largely on water and natural resource issues in Idaho and throughout the United States. In May, 2017, Arrington took over as the IWUA director.
When not working, Mr. Arrington enjoys spending time with his wife, Michelle, and their four children. He enjoys running and cycling to clear his mind. Perhaps most remarkable, however, is that Arrington cuts his own hair.
https://www.iwua.org/
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Executive Director and General Counsel
Idaho Water Users Association
Alan Blaylock
Senior Agronomist
Nutrien Inc.
Dr. Alan Blaylock earned a Ph.D. in Soil Fertility from Iowa State Univ (1989) and BS and MS degrees in Agronomy from Brigham Young Univ. He has supported marketing, sales, and product development for Nutrien since joining in 1996 and has managed research and education programs in key global markets, such as No. America, Europe, and China. He joined Nutrien (formerly Agrium) after serving as Extension Soils Specialist at the University of Wyoming.
Alan has served numerous regional and national committees, and as chair of multiple divisions in the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA). He was recognized in 2018 by Soil Science Society of America with the Soil Science Industry and Professional Leadership Award and in 2010 by American Society of Agronomic with the Agronomic Industry Award. Alan is a recognized expert in the fertilizer industry on various nutrient management topics and has spoken on nutrient management at numerous national and international conferences.
www.nutrien.com
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Senior Agronomist
Nutrien Inc.
Padma Commuri
Director of CP Research & Development of Agricultural Solutions
BASF
Padma Commuri is the Director of CP Research & Development of Agricultural Solutions - North America for BASF. She was named to this role in January 2021 and is responsible for the oversight of R&D. In this position, Padma is establishing R&D capabilities to support the development and evaluation of connected cropping systems offers across seeds, crop protection, digital and sustainability and the integration of these systems into a grower's operations and practices.
Padma has a Doctorate in Agronomy and Plant Genetics, a Master of Science in Biochemistry, Agronomy, and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. She has more than 25 years of experience in biotechnology, seeds and crop protection research and development. Padma most recently worked at Syngenta in various positions including Project and Portfolio Management.
Padma is passionate about customer centric innovation and contributing toward the transformation of the agricultural food system for the better.
https://www.basf.com/us/en.html
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Director of CP Research & Development of Agricultural Solutions
BASF
Richard Engel
Recruitment Consultant
Ag 1 Source
Richard Engel joined the Agronomy Team of Ag1Source in 2020 continuing his 30 plus years of service to the agricultural industry. He previously served as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Alumni Relations and Executive Director of the Cal Aggie Alumni Association. He previously held the dual positions of Director of Relations and Director of Student Services and Outreach for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California Davis.
Previously, Richard was an agricultural instructor at Woodland High School and Project Coordinator for the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom. Mr. Engel obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree and Teaching Credential from UC Davis, both in Agricultural Education. He also holds a Master of Arts Degree in Education from California State University, Sacramento.
Rich is a graduate of Class XXVIII of the California Agricultural Leadership Program, an Eagle Scout, the recipient of the Young Alumnus of the Year in the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and in 2006 received the Grand Presidents Award from Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. He has a life-long affiliation with the Boy Scouts of America and is a past member of the California State Fair and Exposition Board of Directors. He currently resides in Bear Valley, California.
https://www.ag1source.com/
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Recruitment Consultant
Ag 1 Source
Aaron Esser
Regional Extension Agronomist, Lincoln-Adams Extension
Washington State University
Aaron Esser grew up on a farm near Genesee, Idaho. He received his BS degree from the University of Idaho in Agriculture Economics and his MS degree from the University of Idaho in Plant Science. He has been with WSU Extension for 23 years and his work has focused on dryland cropping systems mostly on wheat production. His Extension program is mostly focused in Adams and Lincoln County and he also manages the WSU Wilke Research and Extension Center located near Davenport, WA.
https://smallgrains.wsu.edu/
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Regional Extension Agronomist, Lincoln-Adams Extension
Washington State University
Allan Felsot
Tenured Professor and Affiliate Professor
Washington State University
Professor Felsot holds tenure in the Department of Entomology at Washington State University (WSU) and is also Affiliate Professor in the WSU School of the Environment (SoE). Since 1993, he has been stationed in the WSU Food and Environmental Quality Lab in Richland, WA. From 1978-1993, he was a project leader for pesticide chemistry and toxicology research in the Illinois Natural History Survey at the University of Illinois.
Professor Felsot’s current responsibilities are divided among teaching, extension, research, and university service. He has an intensive involvement in teaching, routinely instructing four courses per semester. He presently is responsible for teaching seven different courses, including General Entomology, Ecological & Integrated Pest Management, Plant Physiology, Agricultural Chemical Technology for Crop Protection, Biotechnology and the Environment, Pesticides and the Environment, and The Ecosystem.
Current research activities have been focused on probabilistic risk assessments of environmental contaminants. Professor Felsot also serves as specialist in environmental chemistry and toxicology for WSU Extension.
Dr. Felsot presently serves on the Science Policy Committee of the Entomological Society of America, and he has been serving the Society since 2016 as a subject matter expert liaison to the U.S. EPA Office of Pesticide Programs in a special cooperative program with the agency.
Professor Felsot has received the American Chemical Society AGRO Fellow Award, the Entomological Society of America Founders Memorial Award, the WSU College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences (CAHNRS) Award for Excellence in Extension, the WSU CAHNRS Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Western Crop Protection Association North Star Award, Honorary Member Award of the WA State Weed Association, and the WSU College of Agriculture Team Interdisciplinary Award as a member of the Urban IPM & Pesticide Safety Education Team, and the Entomological Society of America Excellence in Teaching Award. During 1992 Dr. Felsot was a Fulbright Scholar assigned to lecturing and research in Cyprus.
https://wsu.edu/
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Tenured Professor and Affiliate Professor
Washington State University
Michael Gomes
Vice President of Business Development
Topcon Positioning Group, Agriculture BU
Michael has been active in the Digital transformation of Agriculture for more than 25 years, as it has been moving from Precision technologies to Decision based systems with a careers experience of implementing field automation from planting through harvest. As Vice President of Business Development for Topcon Agriculture his responsibilities include aspects of business strategy, product development and strategic relationships to drive business growth. His personal experience includes utilizing technologies of measurement; optical, sonic, and positioning toward improving in field efficiency and he is a co-inventor on patents for Auto Steering, Sensors and User Interface. In support of developing a stronger industry, Michael currently serves on the USA federal task force for Connectivity & Technology needs of Precision Agriculture; under the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) in affiliation with US Dept of Agriculture (USDA). Serves on the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) councils for Regulatory Affairs and Agriculture Innovation. He is also a founding board member of Ag Data Coalition not for profit corp., PACE advisory Committee for stewardship and moderator of Germany’s VDI conference on Connected Off Highway vehicles. Michael has served as guest or speaker for numerous international conferences and podcasts on Agriculture Innovation and Connectivity.
As a native of California, he has familiarity with horticultural crop production and irrigation technologies. Michael holds a BS from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo; MBA from Golden Gate University, graduate of the California Ag Leadership Program (Class 33) and has also been recognized as a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. He and his wife Kara have a daughter and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and beef cattle ranching in their spare time.
About Topcon Positioning Group
Topcon Positioning Group is headquartered in Livermore, California, USA (topconpositioning.com). Topcon Positioning Group designs, manufactures and distributes precise positioning products and solutions for the global surveying, construction, agriculture, civil engineering, BIM, mapping and GIS, asset management and mobile control markets. Its brands include Topcon, Sokkia, Tierra, Wachendorff Elektronik, Digi-Star, RDS Technology, NORAC and 2LS. Topcon Corporation (topcon.com), founded in 1932, is traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (7732).
https://www.topconpositioning.com/agriculture
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Vice President of Business Development
Topcon Positioning Group, Agriculture BU
Kyle Grant
Executive Vice President
Westlink Ag
Raised in Boise, ID and graduated from Boise State University in 2006. Began my carrer in Agriculture in 2008 with the JR Simplot Company as a purchasing manager for Simplot Growers Solutions. Primarily focused on purchasing for the West Coast, Texas region and the Red River Valley.
Moved to International Raw Materials in 2015, where I worked out of their Sales Office in Spokane Washington. Became US Sales manager for IRM in 2015 managing sales of fertilizer for the West Coast, PNW, Idaho, Montana and Utah.
Started with Westlink Ag on October 1, 2021. Working for Independent Ag retailers all over the country.
I live in Hayden Idaho with my wife Kristin and two children.
https://westlinkag.com/
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Executive Vice President
Westlink Ag
James Harksen
Supervisory Chemical Security Inspector
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
James Harksen is the Region 10 Supervisory Chemical Security Inspector within the Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Mr. Harksen’s duties directly support the implementation and enforcement of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS). In this capacity, Mr. Harksen serves as the inspector team lead for Region 10 and has the overall responsibility for ensuring high risk chemical facilities are in compliance throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. Mr. Harksen is also responsible for maintaining strong working relationships with other local, state & federal entities as well as private sector stakeholders in the chemical community. Mr. Harksen has served in this role since June 2013 and has been with the Office of Chemical Security since 2009.
https://www.dhs.gov/
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Supervisory Chemical Security Inspector
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Wesley Haun
Senior Agronomist
Tiger-Sul Products, LLC
Wesley Haun is senior Agronomist with Tiger-Sul Products. He coordinates soil fertility and crop nutrition research with various research organizations in United States of America and internationally. He leads seminars, publishes technical bulletins, and newsletters on applications of sulphur bentonite
and micronutrients. His training and publications incorporate research results which demonstrate agronomic benefits of a complete plant nutrient management program. Wesley received his Bachelor of Science Degree with major in Agricultural Mechanization and a Master's Degree with major in Plant & Soil Science from the University of Tennessee. His professional certifications include Certified Professional Agronomist, Certified Professional Soil Scientist, and Certified Crop Adviser. He has a diverse agronomy background that spans retail sales/consulting at farm gate to agronomist at regional, national, and international levels.
https://www.tigersul.com
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Senior Agronomist
Tiger-Sul Products, LLC
Andy Kaler
National Director of Ag Wholesale
JR Simplot Company
Andy Kaler is the National Director of Wholesale Ag Sales a the JR Simplot Company. Andy was born and raised in Indiana. Andy attended college in Michigan, and recieved a bachelor's degree in Business Management, from Cornerstone University. Upon graduation Andy started working for Dow AgroSciences. Andy worked at Dow for 12 years in a number of roles, from Product Management, to Sales and Sales Leadership. Dow moved Andy to Idaho, seven years ago, to lead their Northwest Ag Sales Team. After 5 years in the Northwest at Dow, and moved to the JR Simplot Company and has been the Director of wholesale fertilizer for the past two years.
https://www.simplot.com/
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National Director of Ag Wholesale
JR Simplot Company
Megan Kavanaugh
Technical Agronomist
Trace Genomics
Megan's career has spanned the agricultural research and development industry for more than a decade. Her love of soil, plant, and microbial interactions has led her into many different directions throughout her career: lab scale mode of action studies, research and development field trials, and supporting commerical activities in various product development functions. Her true passion is helping develop the next generation of tools necessary to drive full-spectrum innovation from small scale research to large scale farming operations.
https://tracegenomics.com/
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Technical Agronomist
Trace Genomics
Chad Kruger
Director, Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center
Washington State University
Chad Kruger currently directs WSU's Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center (TFREC) in Wenatchee and Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources (CSANR). He received a B.A. in Philosophy and History (1997) and an Academic Certificate in Ecointensive Agriculture Technologies (1998) from Northwest College in Kirkland, Washington, and he completed an M.S. (2003) in Land Resources from the Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He was an Au Sable Graduate Fellow at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
He served on the 2007/2008 Washington State Climate Action Team, co-chairing the Agriculture Sector Carbon Market Workgroup, and the Washington Department of Natural Resources Expert Council on Climate Change. He currently co-chairs the Sustainable Ag Committee for the Cascadia Innovation Corridor, serves on WSDA's Dairy Nutrient Advisory Committee, the WDNR Climate Resilience Advisory Council, ex officio for the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, represents WSU on the Washington Food Policy Forum, and is the lead author of the multi-agency Washington Soil Health Initiative. He was raised in Washington State and is blessed to be from generational farm families in both Eastern (wheat and cattle near Spokane) and Western Washington (berries in Whatcom County).
https://csanr.wsu.edu/
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Director, Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center
Washington State University
Drew Lyon
Professor and Endowed Chair, Small Grains Extension and Research, Weed Science at Washington State University
Washington State University
Drew Lyon is Professor and Endowed Chair Small Grains Extension and Research, Weed Science at Washington State University in Pullman. He is currently serving as Interim Chair of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. His Extension and Research Program focuses on integrated weed management in dryland small grain production systems. Prior to his arrival at WSU in 2012, Drew served 22 years as the Extension Dryland Cropping Systems Specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff. He received his B.S. in Agriculture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Agronomy/Weed Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
www.wsu.edu
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Professor and Endowed Chair, Small Grains Extension and Research, Weed Science at Washington State University
Washington State University
Isaac Madsen
Extension Agronomist
Washington State University
Dr. Madsen is a soil scientist and native of the northwest. Dr. Madsen received both his B.S. and Ph.D. from Washington State University. He currently serves as the extension agronomist for the Washington oilseeds cropping systems project at WSU. He has been involved in research on soil health, plant root – soil interactions, soil fertility, and alternative crops. His current research focuses on stand establishment and winter survival in canola as well as alternative cropping practices such as legume-oilseed intercropping and integrated livestock in dual-purpose cropping systems.
https://css.wsu.edu/people/faculty/isaac-madsen/
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Extension Agronomist
Washington State University
Kristin Meira
Executive Director
Pacific Northwest Waterways Association
As PNWA’s Executive Director, Kristin Meira leads the association’s work with Congress, federal agencies and regional decision makers on transportation, trade, energy and environmental policies and projects. PNWA's membership includes over 150 public ports, transportation providers, agriculture and forest products producers, public utilities, manufacturers, labor groups and others in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Meira joined the PNWA team in 2002.
Meira moved to Portland in 2000 after spending five years on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, where she worked for U.S. Senator Patty Murray and U.S. Senator Bill Bradley. Her political experience also includes work as a legislative assistant for a N.J. State Assemblyman, briefing aide to N.J. Governor Jim Florio, and work on several campaigns around the nation.
Meira has a BA with a dual major in Political Science/History and a double major in English from Rutgers University. She makes her home outside Portland, Oregon.
She serves on the following boards and committees:
• Board of Directors of the National Waterways Conference (NWC) (2006–2015, 2020-present)
• Freight Committee for the City of Portland (2011-present)
• Harbors & Navigation and Environment Committees of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) (2002-present)
• Washington State DOT Freight Stakeholder Group (2020)
Past board experience includes:
• NOAA Fisheries’ Columbia Basin Partnership Task Force Phase I (2017-2019)
• Inland Water Transportation Committee of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academy of Sciences (2010-2019)
• Board of Directors of the Merchants Exchange of Portland (2012-2018)
https://www.pnwa.net/
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Executive Director
Pacific Northwest Waterways Association
Mariah Murphy
Sr. Manager of Member Owner Engagement
Truterra LLC
She is currently the Sr. Manager of Member Owner Engagement at Truterra. She leads their field team tackling 35 owners today helping them build out their sustainabilty strategies as well as developing their opportunites to enter into the carbon space. Having started with Land O' Lakes 9 years ago she has spent her entire career working in the field helping meet the needs of farmers and ag retailers. Along with her husband, she owns a small ag business and is still active in the family farm. They currently reside in Missouri Valley, Iowa with their 2 year old son Wallis.
https://www.truterraag.com/Home
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Sr. Manager of Member Owner Engagement
Truterra LLC
Tim Murray
Rosalie and Harold Rea Brown Distinguished Endowed Chair
Washington State University
Dr. Tim Murray is Professor and Chair of the Department of Plant Pathology at Washington State University. He received a B.S. in Plant Science from the University of California Davis, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Plant Pathology from Washington State University. He joined WSU as a faculty member in 1983, where he conducts research on diseases of small grains and grasses and taught introductory plant pathology until 2013 when he joined the Dryland Cropping Systems Team as extension plant pathologist. Dr. Murray’s research focuses on sustainable management of soilborne wheat diseases, with emphasis on disease resistance, pathogen genetic variation, and soil health. He is author of A Colour Handbook of Diseases of Small Grain Cereal Crops (1998, 2009), co-editor of The Encyclopedia of Plant Pathology (2001) and Compendium of Wheat Diseases and Pests, 3rd edition (2010), and author of over 100 scientific publications.
www.wsu.edu
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Rosalie and Harold Rea Brown Distinguished Endowed Chair
Washington State University
Shay Myers
CEO
Owyhee Produce L.L.C.
Shay is a CEO, a third-generation farm-kid, pilot, and a popular social creator on LinkedIn, TikTok, and Instagram. He loves to share his knowledge and passion for agriculture, aviation, and his life with his more than one-quarter of a million followers on social media.
http://www.owyheeproduce.com
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CEO
Owyhee Produce L.L.C.
Tom Myrum
Executive Director and General Counsel
Washington State Water Resources Association
Tom Myrum is the Executive Director and General Counsel of the Washington State Water Resources Association in Olympia, WA. The WSWRA is the coordinating agency for irrigation districts in Washington State. Tom has been Executive Director for 26 years. He holds a JD in Law from the University of Idaho College of Law and a BA in History from the University of Utah.
http://www.wswra.org/
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Executive Director and General Counsel
Washington State Water Resources Association
Dan Newhouse
Representative - 4th District, State of Washington
Washington House Of Representative
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Representative - 4th District, State of Washington
Washington House Of Representative
Steve Norberg
Associate Professor/Extension Regional Forage Specialist
Washington State University
Steve Norberg is an Associate Professor with Washington State University and is the Extension Regional Forage Specialist. Steve serves the irrigated portion of the Columbia Basin for forages and is responsible for the Washington State Alfalfa Variety Trials in association with the Washington Hay Growers Association of which he is an Advisor. Steve Norberg grew up on a farm in the panhandle of Nebraska. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from University of Nebraska Ph.D. in Crop Science from Oregon State University. Steve has worked in university extension for over 25 years in Missouri, Colorado, Oregon and Washington State University. Steve is married to Leann and they have three children, Dustin, Ashley, and Ariana.
https://extension.wsu.edu/grant/agriculture/forage-and-agronomy/
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Associate Professor/Extension Regional Forage Specialist
Washington State University
Ruijin Qin
Extension Agronomist
Oregon State University
Dr. Ruijun Qin is an Extension Agronomist at the Oregon State University (OSU) Hermiston Agricultural Research & Extension Center and an Assistant Professor at the Department of Crop and Soil Science of OSU. His extension and research activities focus on sustainable soil/plant nutrient & water management, crop production (potatoes, cereals, dry beans, alfalfa, grass seeds, peppermint, etc.), cropping system, wastewater reuse, environmental quality, and soil health. From 2006 to 2016, he had been employed by the San Joaquin Agricultural Research Center of the USDA-ARS and the University of California Davis, and his research was mainly focused on soil fumigation, high-value crop production, plastic mulching, and water management. Dr. Qin received his Ph.D. in Agronomy (2003) at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH-Zurich, Institute of Agricultural Sciences). His research topics included root exudation under heavy metal stress, root morphology and distribution in relation to crop production and crop nutrition, tillage systems and crop rotation in the temperate region. He received his MSc in Soil Science at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (1995) and had successfully carried out projects concerning soil aluminum toxicity, the use of soil organic amendments, and productivity of cropping system in the subtropical zone. Dr. Qin is an Associate Editor of Agronomy Journal. He was the Chair of Nutrient Management Professionals Community in 2020 and a member of the Agronomic Industry Award Committee and Environmental Quality Research Award Committee. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed research articles and acted as a reviewer for more than 20 peer reviewed Scientific Journals.
https://cropandsoil.oregonstate.edu/users/ruijun-qin
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Extension Agronomist
Oregon State University
Alexander Reichert
Co-Founder and CEO
AgVend
Alexander is co-founder and CEO of AgVend, the leading provider of digital engagement software to serve the producer of tomorrow. AgVend's white-labeled information and commerce portals are designed to strengthen the relationship between the ag distribution channel and their grower customers. Prior to starting AgVend, Alexander was the VP of Product at Mavrx, an agricultural aerial imagery company, heading the product management, marketing, and support teams. Before joining Mavrx, Alexander led product for Euclid, where he worked with Fortune 500 traditional retailers and banks looking to create an omnichannel experience for their customers. A native New Englander, today Alexander is proud to call Austin, Texas home.
https://www.agvend.com/
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Co-Founder and CEO
AgVend
Rusty Rodriguez
Adaptive Symbiotic Technologies
Adaptive Symbiotic Technologies
Dr. Rodriguez is a microbiologist who has studied symbiotic interactions between plants and microorganisms for more than 25 years. He obtained a B.S. in Microbiology from the University of California, Davis (1978) followed by a Ph.D. in Microbial Physiology (1983) from Oregon State University (under Dr. Leo Parks). He went on to undertake postdoctoral work in Plant Pathology at Cornell University and in 1988, accepted a faculty position in Plant Pathology at the University of California, Riverside. In 1993 he moved to Seattle and took a job with the US Fish & Wildlife Service and obtained an affiliate faculty position in Biology at the University of Washington. His research in plant-fungal interactions led to the discovery that plants in nature do not adapt themselves to abiotic stresses such as drought, temperature, or salinity. Instead, plants establish symbiotic associations with microscopic fungi that confer abiotic stress tolerance. This remarkable observation was the basis for developing a new microbial technology to mitigate the impacts of climate change in agriculture by generating climate-resilient crops. In 2012 he left the government to become CEO of Adaptive Symbiotic Technologies (AST) to apply symbiotic technologies to real-world problems. AST is dedicated to ensuring food security by generating climate-resilient crops for both large and small land-holding farmers around the globe.
https://www.adsymtech.com/
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Adaptive Symbiotic Technologies
Adaptive Symbiotic Technologies
Silvia Rondon
Oregon IPM Center Director, Hermiston Ag Res. & Ext. Center Interim Director, Professor and Extension Entomology Specialist
Oregon State University
Silvia Rondon is the Oregon IPM Center director, Hermiston Ag. Res. & Ext. Center interim director, and a Professor and Extension Entomology Specialist at Oregon State University affiliated to the Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center and the Department of Crop & Soil Sciences. She received her BA and MS in Entomology from the Agraria University in Lima, Perú, and PhD in Crop Sciences with a major in Entomology and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In 2002, she worked as a Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Florida Horticulture Department. In Sept-2005, she joined Oregon State University. Her position description includes Research and Extension and she has managed her Irrigated Agricultural Entomology Program relying on external funding coming from private, international, state, and federal grants. Her area of expertise is IPM with emphasis in insect ecology, insect distribution, population dynamics, insects-plant interactions, biological control, insect-plant pathogens interactions, and chemical control. She has been involved working with multiple commodities groups including potatoes, grass seed, wheat, and high valuable vegetables including onions, sweet corn, and carrots. She has over 123 peer reviewed scientific and extension papers, 9 book chapters, 146 non-peer reviewed publications, and multiple abstracts, and reports. She is an active member of the Entomological Society of America where she is a member of the Division, Equity and Inclusion task force and past Award committee chair; she led the organization of the first Latino/Hispanic Symposium in her professional society, now on its 9th year.
https://oregonstate.edu/
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Oregon IPM Center Director, Hermiston Ag Res. & Ext. Center Interim Director, Professor and Extension Entomology Specialist
Oregon State University
April Snell
Executive Director
Oregon Water Resources Congress
April Snell is the Executive Director of the Oregon Water Resources Congress (OWRC), a nonprofit association representing irrigation districts, water control districts, drainage districts, and other agricultural water suppliers around the state who deliver water to roughly 1/3 of all irrigated land in Oregon. OWRC has been promoting the protection and use of water rights and the wise stewardship of water resources since 1912.
Prior to taking the helm as Executive Director in 2012, April served as OWRC’s Assistant Director for 4 ½ years. She previously worked at the Oregon Water Resources Department, where she engaged extensively on water supply, water conservation, agency budget, and legislative issues. April has a Master’s in Public Administration, Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management, and Bachelor’s in Political Science with honors, all from the University of Oregon.
April has served on a number of statewide taskforces and rulemaking committees and is a frequent lecturer at various conferences.
www.owrc.org
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Executive Director
Oregon Water Resources Congress
Jared Spackman
Research and Extension Barley Agronomist
University of Idaho
Dr. Jared Spackman grew up in southern Idaho where he worked for local farming operations and agricultural industries. He was active in FFA and competed on the Soils Judging team that hooked his interest in soils and agronomy. He earned his B.S. degree in agribusiness from BYU–Idaho and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in nutrient management at the University of Minnesota. His research focused on identifying how nitrogen fertilizer is utilized in the soil-crop system in response to variations of nitrogen fertilizer rates, sources, and application timings.
Dr. Spackman is currently the University of Idaho's Research and Extension Barley Agronomist based in Aberdeen, Idaho. His work focuses on identifying and promoting sustainable irrigated and dryland barley production strategies with an emphasis on soil nutrient management for yield, barley end-use quality (malt, feed, food, and forage), plant health, and soil and water quality.
www.uidaho.edu
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Research and Extension Barley Agronomist
University of Idaho
Terry Tindall
Agronomy Fellow
J.R. Simplot
Terry A. Tindall Ph.D. is currently an Agronomy Fellow with the J.R. Simplot Company and located at the World Headquarters for the Simplot Company in Boise Idaho. Dr. Tindall has served in agronomy positions for more than 20 years with the Simplot Company and as such as led the development of new products, outlined marketing information and has been involved in numerous studies to better understand fertilizer use efficiency across a wide geography where the Simplot Company has influence.. Dr. Tindall is the author of 100’s of papers and publications as well as a sought after public speaker for both the U.S. and International programs. Dr. Tindall is a member of and participates in many national committees including the TFI, Fluid Fertilizer Foundation, 4 R’s, and past chair of CTIC (Conservation Technology Information Center) and the International Fertilizer Association. Dr. Tindall is the recent recipient of the American Society of Agronomy’s prestigious Industry Agronomy of the Year Award and is currently serving as the Soil Science Society of Am Division Chair for Soil Fertility and Soil Analysis. He is a former faculty member with both Utah State University and University of Idaho. His efforts at both places of higher education focused on soil fertility, soil and water conservation and developing nutrient use efficiency products and understanding. Terry has outside interests of fly-fishing for silver salmon in Alaska, hunting in Canada and U.S. as well as serving as a church educational instructor. He is married and is the father of 4 grown children and 4 grand-children—with hopefully many more t
www.simplot.com
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Agronomy Fellow
J.R. Simplot
Olga Walsh
Cropping Systems Agronomist and Extension Specialist
University of Idaho
Dr. Olga Walsh is a Cropping Systems Agronomist and Extension Specialist with the University of Idaho's Parma Research and Extension Center. Olga was hired to direct the Cropping Systems
program in 2014. The program' s primary goals are two-fold: 1) to develop applied research projects that help to address the pressing needs of crop producers of Idaho and the Pacific Northwest region, and 2) to conduct educational outreach to agricultural professionals. The program is currently focused on developing scientifically-based, field-tested unbiased grower recommendations that would improve the sustainability and profitability of farming operations. The current projects are in wheat, barley, dry beans, alfalfa, and corn. Olga's training and background are in Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrient Management. Originally from Russia, she obtained her BS degree in Soil Science at St. Petersburg State University, Russia. She received her MS and Ph.D. degrees at the Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK. Prior to her UI appointment, she served as a Soil Nutrient Management Specialist with Montana State University for 4 years. Olga is a published author on a variety of precision agriculture topics and has presented at numerous national and international precision agriculture events. Olga manages and writes for a Cropping Systems Blog (Idaho Crops & Soils), and writes and publishes a newsletter for Idaho ag producers - Idaho Crops & Soils News.
www.uidaho.edu
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Cropping Systems Agronomist and Extension Specialist
University of Idaho
Tim Waters
Professor & Regional Vegetable Specialist
Washington State University
Tim has been with WSU Extension since 2006. He is responsible for extension related to commercial vegetable crops in the lower Columbia Basin. He is trained as an entomologist and conducts outreach and research on pest management in vegetable crops.
https://ipm.wsu.edu/ipm-team/
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Professor & Regional Vegetable Specialist
Washington State University
Marcus Weatherhead
Strategic Account Manager
Corteva Agriscience
Marcus Weatherhead graduated with a Bachelor's of science from West Virginia University in 2010. After moving to Montana he has spent a majority of his career in the retail space in a sales role as well as managing several agronomy locations throughout the Yellowstone valley in Montana. With Sugar Beets, Malt Barley, Wheat, Alfalfa and Corn being the major crops in the area he was able to gain agronomy experience and well as operational experience within the facilities he worked. After starting with Corteva in the spring of 2021 he began with responsibilities of launching Corteva's new active ingredient in the seed treatment space with Lumivia CPL. His experience at several seed treatment facilities has allowed him to gain traction not only from a technical standpoint with what the product is capable of but also the implementation and blending capabilities at different retail seed treament facilities.
https://www.corteva.com/
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Strategic Account Manager
Corteva Agriscience
Michael Wolsten
VP of Branch Performance
Idaho Central Credit Union
Michael has worked with Idaho Central Credit Union since 2008 and is currently the VP of Branch Performance. He graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors's in Business Management from Bushnell University. His region with ICCU is CDA, Moscow, and coming soon, Lewiston! He loves serving the community and helping support others be successful in work and life. He does this through his work at ICCu and consulting with professionals and organizations to improve their culture, lower turnover, and lead with heart. Michael and his wife Kelly have been married for over 19 years and have three boys, Oliver, Henry, and Elliot. Thye love to ski in the winter, enjoy summers on the lake, and party where food is served.
https://www.iccu.com/
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VP of Branch Performance
Idaho Central Credit Union
