Nineteen Graduate from Ohio AgriBusiness Association's LAUNCH Program

Nineteen Ohio agribusiness leaders are being recognized as the latest graduates of Ohio AgriBusiness Association’s LAUNCH program. Participants were selected by their companies to undergo the robust executive leadership development program, which was created in partnership with Wilt Public Relations, to help OABA member companies fill the looming void of leadership talent. More than 50 percent of the agriculture business workforce is expected to retire in the next 10-12 years.

The 19 Ohio AgriBusiness Association (OABA) member graduates who successfully completed the 2016 LAUNCH program include:

•        Abby Anderson - Brand Manager, The Andersons, Inc.
•        Courtney Benich - Salesman, Central Ohio Farmers Co-op
•        Jeff Carr - Controller, Witmer’s Feed & Grain, Inc.
•        Adam Conrad - Assistant Field Production Manager, Schlessman Seed Co.
•        Hart Fledderjohann - Associate Vice-President Agribusiness, Farm Credit Mid-America
•        Evan Hahn - Vice-President Credit, Farm Credit Mid America
•        Dana Lawrence - Regional Manager, Ag Credit ACA
•        Mike Leady - Facility Manager, Mid-Wood, Inc.
•        Charlie Maag - Crop Specialist, Legacy Farmers Cooperative
•        Brian Moff - Grain Operations, Agland Co-op, Inc.
•        Joshua Newcomer - Operations, Town & Country Co-op, Inc.
•        Deb Otte - Crop Nutrient Account Manager/Market Analyst, Trupointe Cooperative
•        Jamie Pratt - IT Manager, Legacy Farmers Cooperative
•        Corey Prosser - Agronomy Manager, Central Ohio Farmers Co-op
•        Lindsay Riedlinger - Grain Originator, Heritage Cooperative
•        Andrew Ruck - CFO, Central Ohio Farmers Co-op
•        Jessica Shanahan - Program Manager, Ohio FFA Foundation
•        Stephen Welling - Liquid Facility Manager, Luckey Farmers, Inc.
•        Kyle Wilson - Corn Specialist, AgriGold

LAUNCH prepares participants for successive leadership roles through a curriculum focused on developing individual skills and a global view of overall organizational needs. Capstone projects, pre-session work assignments and in-person sessions all added to the depth of program.

Program topics included determining and flexing your style of work with others; leading with purpose; change management; creating a positive culture; human resources; financial principles; presentation techniques; working with state and federal government; courageous leadership; corporate sustainability; work-life balance and more.

Jack Park delivered the keynote presentation on “The Leadership Secrets of Football’s Master Coaches.”Sessions also included a trip to the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center Feed Mill and New Business Incubation Center in Wooster, Ohio.

“The LAUNCH program is unique in that it provides participants the opportunity to hone not only their leadership skills specific to the agribusiness industry, but their leadership skillset overall, which is extremely important in an industry that is constantly evolving and adapting,” said Chris Henney, OABA president and CEO. “The participants of this year’s class showed immense growth during the course of the program, and I’m certain you’ll be seeing their names again in the future.”

For additional information on OABA or the LAUNCH Program, contact Margo Long at 614-326-7520 or mlong@oaba.net.

Graduates of Ohio AgriBusiness Association’s 2016 LAUNCH leadership program include (Front Row, from left to right) Evan Hahn, Jessica Shannahan, Lindsay Riedlinger, Deb Otte, Mike Leady, Dana Lawrence, Adam Conrad, (Middle Row) Josh Newcomer, Abby Anderson, Jeff Carr, Jamie Pratt, Kyle Wilson, Courtney Benich, (Back Row) Brian Moff, Hart Fledderjohann, Stephen Welling, Charlie Maag, Corey Prosser and Andrew Ruck.