AgriNovus Indiana launches Field Atlas to empower students to explore careers in Agbioscience

2021-04-05T16:43:56-04:00September 15, 2020|

INDIANAPOLIS (Sep. 15, 2020) – AgriNovus Indiana, an initiative to fuel growth in the state’s agbioscience economy, launched Field Atlas today, a career exploration platform that informs high school and college students about the kinds of diverse professions in the growing agbiosciences industry. Field Atlas is an online tool that offers a peer-to-peer program among students that enables them to explore a variety of agbioscience careers through videos and a quiz. In addition, students have access to employer profiles designed to educate the students about the kinds of agbioscience career opportunities they could pursue ranging from plant biologist to data scientist. “Field Atlas is far more than a website; it’s a powerful online tool augmented with students on Indiana campuses who connect the dots between courses of study and the tremendous opportunities in agbioscience,” said Mitch Frazier, president and CEO [...]

AgriNovus Indiana adds AgTech executive, venture capitalist to its Board of Directors

2021-04-05T16:43:56-04:00September 3, 2020|

INDIANAPOLIS, (Sept. 3, 2020) — AgriNovus Indiana, an initiative to fuel growth in Indiana’s agbioscience economy, announced today the addition of two new members to its board of directors. The board unanimously approved the appointment of Aaron Gillum, senior vice president of 50 South Capital, and Kay Kuenker, chief executive officer of Advanced Agrilytics, to the board, bringing decades of leadership to the organization. “Kay and Aaron are incredible leaders who share a passion for accelerating Indiana’s growth and making a positive impact on the future of agbiosciences,” said Mitch Frazier, president and CEO of AgriNovus Indiana. “Aaron brings tremendous strength in venture capital, and Kay’s return to the board leading a high growth agtech company provides a powerful addition to our efforts to fuel agbioscience growth.” Kuenker, who was named chief executive of Advanced Agrilytics in March, previously served [...]

AgriNovus Indiana launches Producer-Led Innovation Challenge to bring together Indiana farmers, software innovators

2021-04-05T16:43:56-04:00September 2, 2020|

INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 2, 2020) – AgriNovus Indiana, an initiative to fuel growth in Indiana’s agbioscience economy, launched the state’s first agtech innovation challenge today, bringing together leaders in production agriculture and technology to fuel innovation. Presented by the Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Soybean Alliance, the Producer-Led Innovation Challenge is designed to create new solutions that solve critical gaps in farm management software defined by a panel of three progressive Indiana farmers. The defined gaps will serve as the foundation for the Challenge that gives Indiana innovators until Dec. 4, 2020, to submit a proof of concept that could earn participants a $25,000 grand prize from the Purdue Foundry. “Indiana is a proven leader in production agriculture and software innovation,” said Mitch Frazier, president and CEO of AgriNovus Indiana. “The Producer-Led Innovation Challenge provides a powerful platform for innovators [...]

AgriNovus Indiana expands its team

2021-04-05T16:43:56-04:00May 26, 2020|

INDIANAPOLIS (May 26, 2020) — AgriNovus Indiana, the state’s initiative to promote and accelerate the growth of the agbioscience sector, is expanding its team with several new additions to support its growing public education and awareness, and talent efforts. Cayla Chiddister joins AgriNovus as content manager and will continue the creation, development and promotion of Indiana’s agbioscience story through multiple channels. Previously, Chiddister served in broadcast and marketing roles with Hoosier Ag Today and Cumulus Media, starting her on-air career in New Castle, Ind. Most recently, she served on the media experiences team at The Simon Property Group. Chiddister has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Indiana University. AgriNovus has also added several contractors to the team to help with the expansion of some of its key programs. Skylar Clingan joins as the agbioscience talent specialist focused on researching [...]

AgriNovus Indiana names Mitch Frazier president and CEO

2021-04-05T16:43:56-04:00April 29, 2020|

INDIANAPOLIS (April 29, 2020) — AgriNovus Indiana has announced that, after a national search, Mitch Frazier, CEO of regional John Deere retailer Reynolds Farm Equipment, has been named its new president and CEO. Frazier will begin his new role on June 29 for the agbiosciences initiative of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP). Prior to Reynolds, he served as vice president of Marketing at TinderBox and as vice president of Marketing and Investor Relations Officer at ExactTarget. He led media relations for Governor Mitch Daniels’ team at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and served as a civilian public affairs officer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He also served on active duty in the U.S. Army. Frazier succeeds Beth Bechdol, who was appointed in December 2019 as deputy director general of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for the [...]

AgriNovus Indiana names acting CEO; Bechdol to transition to UN post

2021-04-05T16:43:56-04:00February 20, 2020|

INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 20, 2020) — AgriNovus Indiana, the state’s initiative to promote and accelerate the growth of the agbiosciences sector, announced in December 2019 that current president and CEO, Beth Bechdol, was confirmed by the United Nations to be the Deputy Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, Italy. During the transition and search period, Aaron Schacht, executive vice president of Innovation, Regulatory and Business Development for Elanco and chair of the AgriNovus Board and CEO search committee, will serve as acting-CEO of the initiative. The FAO is an agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to alleviate world hunger and malnutrition. New executive leadership of the agency has prioritized food and agriculture innovation in driving new global solutions. With Bechdol’s appointment, many on the global stage have taken notice of Indiana’s agbioscience leadership [...]

AgriNovus Indiana adds to Board of Directors

2021-04-05T16:43:56-04:00February 11, 2020|

INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 11, 2020) — AgriNovus Indiana, the state’s initiative to promote and accelerate the growth of the agbioscience sector, has added three new members to its board of directors: Mark “Doc” Holt, president, First Farmers Bank & Trust Courtney Kingery, CEO, Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Corn Marketing Council Daniel Padrão, COO, Solinftec “These new additions to the AgriNovus Board of Directors continue to highlight the reach and expanse of the Indiana agbioscience sector,” said Beth Bechdol, president and CEO of AgriNovus Indiana. “As AgriNovus prepares for a transition to its next CEO, having these organizations and their leaders come forward and support the agbioscience community demonstrates the deep commitment we have from our stakeholders.” Mark “Doc” Holt is president for First Farmers Bank & Trust and serves as a director of both First Farmers Financial Corp. and First [...]

AgriNovus Indiana launches QUADRANT – a new program to convene and grow the agbioscience community

2021-04-05T16:43:56-04:00July 15, 2019|

INDIANAPOLIS (July 15, 2019) — AgriNovus Indiana today announced the launch of a monthly convening series aimed at bringing together a diverse group of professionals to further connect the agbioscience community in the state. The program, called QUADRANT, will hold its first gathering on August 7, 2019. To continue to build the agbioscience community, where food, agriculture, science and technology converge, QUADRANT creates a venue for people to meet, ideas to be shared and powerful relationships to be formed. “AgriNovus has successfully grown a few signature events that are held throughout the year, and we have consistently had stakeholders tell us that they would like to see more regular industry gatherings,” said Beth Bechdol, president and CEO of AgriNovus Indiana. “Having a set time and place for people to come together and connect is critical to further building relationships and [...]

AgriNovus Indiana announces new hires expanding support in talent initiatives

2021-04-05T16:43:56-04:00May 31, 2019|

Melissa Rekeweg, senior director of talent, AgriNovus Indiana INDIANAPOLIS (May 31, 2019) — AgriNovus Indiana, the state’s initiative to promote and accelerate the growth of the agbiosciences sector, announces two staffing additions to support its expanding talent-focused programming. Melissa Rekeweg will serve as senior director of talent and oversee the development of new agbioscience career discovery and talent pipeline initiatives. “Adding to our team is a reflection of the continued momentum around the Indiana agbioscience sector,” said Beth Bechdol, president and CEO of AgriNovus Indiana. “Melissa’s unique background both in education and in agriculture perfectly complement her role in developing and launching AgriNovus’ transformational talent programs. These initiatives will ultimately create a greater pipeline of students interested in agbioscience careers and advance industry-relevant skill sets needed by agbioscience employers.” Rekeweg has served in multiple leadership roles with the [...]

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