Sarena Lin is leaving Elanco Animal Health to join Bayer AG as chief transformation and talent officer.
At Elanco, she was a member of its executive committee, responsible for the areas of transformation and technology.
Lin was born in Taipei, Taiwan. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Harvard University in Boston, and later received her MBA in Strategy and a Master’s degree in International Relations at Yale University.
She worked at McKinsey from 1998 to 2011. From 2011 to 2017 she acted as the corporate vice president of strategy and business development and subsequently as president of the feed and nutrition business at Cargill in Minneapolis. She then joined Elanco, where she had a number of executive level roles.
Michael Seyfert is to become the new president and CEO of the US National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA).
Seyfert is set to take on the role from March 1, succeeding Randy Gordon, who will retire by the end of March after serving nearly 43 years with the US agribusiness association.
NGFA chairperson, JoAnn Brouillette, managing partner of Demeter LP, said Seyfert has the vision, energy, intellect, experience, leadership qualities and contacts in Washington to build on NGFA’s already “strong record of achievement in serving the grain, animal feed/animal food, grain processing and milling, and export industry.”
Seyfert, who has extensive corporate and government experience, currently serves as director of government and industry affairs for FMC Corp., the world’s fifth largest crop protection company. In that role, he coordinates and directs the company’s federal, state and local North America government and industry affairs program.
Prior to joining FMC in February 2014, Seyfert worked from 1997-2013 on the staff of former Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., capped by serving two years as staff director of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee from 2011-13. During that time, he managed a professional staff team of 12 and oversaw the development and Senate approval of the farm bill that became much of the foundation for final legislation enacted on February 7, 2014.
He also was Roberts’ legislative director from 2005-11, during which time he interacted with five significant Senate committees on which the senator served. Seyfert also represented the US Senate on official government missions to Australia, Canada, China, Cuba, Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam.
Seyfert received his undergraduate degree summa cum laude in agricultural economics and was a member of the agriculture honors program at Kansas State University.
Connecterra recently announced that Min Zhu has joined the agtech company as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
In her two-year tenure as an executive at WeTransfer, Zhu contributed 40% topline growth and led a successful €35M Series B fund raising for the Dutch unicorn, said Connecterra.
Prior to that role, Zhu held various senior finance leadership positions in publicly listed companies, such as Philips, ICL and Biogen Idec, it added.
Her expertise spans from strategic business planning, decision-making to building highly impactful teams and transforming functions to various M&A events.
Originally from China, she earned a degree in accounting and finance from Hoegeschool InHolland.
Zhu said she is keen to work at a company that is bringing technology disruption to the agriculture segment, empowering farmers to improve animal welfare and making dairy farming more sustainable while addressing the growing food shortage. “Traditional farming needs disruption via technology. Connecterra is uniquely positioned to bring this breakthrough. I am honored to be part of the journey to scale this impactful business."
Yasir Khokhar, founder and CEO of Connecterra, commented on the new hire. “In hiring for the CFO role, we had a short list but one that is rare to find in a single person. Hunger to learn but experience from learnings, ability to thrive in chaos but structured [environments], an expert in financial matters but able to copilot operations. Min exemplifies these qualities and I'm delighted to have her onboard and join a team of upstream swimmers.”
Robin Barron has been elected as chairman of feed and agri-supply business representatives, Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) Scotland, succeeding Stephen Kenyon who had served since April 2017. Sarah Bell of Cefetra was elected as vice-chair.
Barron, who is general manager of East of Scotland Farmers, and has served as AIC Scotland vice-chair for the past two years, said: “As agricultural supply chain businesses await the results of post-Brexit trade negotiations, the AIC will provide essential support to members, and a strong unified voice for the industry as we move into a new trading landscape. Agricultural businesses will face significant challenges in the coming years, and I look forward to ensuring that the interests of the Agri-supply industry in Scotland are represented at this crucial time.”
Ian Muirhead, AIC Scotland’s policy manager thanked Kenyon for his hard work and commitment as chairman over the past three and a half years: “During his tenure, he has helped to raise the profile of issues affecting AIC Scotland members. Through his encouragement, AIC Scotland has increased its involvement in policy development and stakeholder engagement in Scotland, allowing us to better protect the interests of the agri-supply industry as we navigate leaving the EU and negotiating future trade deals. Most recently, his leadership has been of huge support during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Other changes involve AIC Scotland seeds committee, which has elected Colin Dargie of East of Scotland Farmers as chairman, replacing Lorne Watson, while Douglas Gordon of Harleys seed has been elected as vice chair. There are no changes to AIC Scotland feed and arable committees.
Former Lerøy leader brings years of industry experience into new, executive-level role at Aker BioMarine
Webjørn Barstad is named executive vice president (EVP) offshore, with responsibility for Aker BioMarine’s offshore krill harvesting operations.
Barstad has spent his entire career within the seafood industry, most recently serving as the CEO for Lerøy Havfisk (ocean fisheries) and Lerøy Norway Seafoods (shorebased processing), and COO at Lerøy Seafood Group.
“At Aker BioMarine, we are committed to running an innovative and technology-driven krill fishery, and our EVP Offshore is an integral part of fulfilling these high ambitions. Barstad has dedicated his career to seafood and is clearly passionate about the advancement of our industry. We are excited to bring Barstad’s energy and commitment into our executive team,” said Matts Johansen, CEO, Aker BioMarine.
Barstad has dedicated nearly 30 years to the seafood industry. His journey into the world of seafood began in 1991, when he took on a role in production and sales for the small fish processor LS Larsen in Ålesund, Norway. From there, he spent 15 years with advisory and leadership roles in Norwegian Fishermen’s Organization and Norwegian Fishing Vessel Owners Association, before he went on to lead operations for Strand Havfiske, followed by six years of senior positions in Havfisk and Lerøy Seafood Group.
“It isn’t right to say that I’m now joining a krill harvesting company. That’s only half the story. For me, this is a clear move into biotech, joining the management team of a company that leads in technology, innovation and sustainability – not only in its harvesting operations, but across its entire value chain. I cannot wait to play a role in delivering on Aker BioMarine’s bold ambitions for growth going forward,” said Barstad.
ForFarmers UK says it now has four new team members, boosting its poultry expertise, and bringing a high calibre of knowledge and trusted experience.
Christopher Burton [pictured], James Tilley, James Girdler, and Harry Atkinson started working at the company last month.
ForFarmers UK poultry sales director, David Hilldrith, said: “Our new recruits bring a wealth of experience. The expansion of our team will deliver a vital link to the producer which will support the growth of the ForFarmers poultry offering across the UK.”
Three of the new recruits, all poultry account managers, offer sales support covering all poultry sectors.
Focusing on the Midlands and the M1 corridor, Christopher Burton joins the team with a wealth of on-hand experience and understanding across broiler, mill, and sales managerial roles. “I look forward to building a connection with our customers, at a very exciting time for ForFarmers and help towards the growth of the business”.
James Tilley has joined to cover the North West of the country, bringing an array of sales and procurement experience, alongside on-farm expertise from his farm and wholesale business in Denbigh. “I’m proud to have joined the team, I’m passionate about the direction ForFarmers are going with their focus on the future of farming.”
James Girdler has transitioned to the poultry team having previously worked as a ForFarmers trainee commercial nutritionist. His role brings a focus to organic feed sales in the southern half of the UK, along with a concentration on the ForFarmers turkey strategy. “This is a great opportunity, to get out there and support our customers. No doubt 2020 will continue throwing challenges at us, but it’s an exciting time to be joining the poultry team.”
Providing technical support to the poultry and game sectors, Harry Atkinson has had a notable range of previous roles in the animal feed sector. Harry commented, “I’m excited about this new opportunity at ForFarmers, to join an established market-leader at a time where the team is growing.”
Soy based protein ingredients producer, Hamlet Protein, recently announced a sales team expansion.
Lamar Rider [pictured] and Chelcee Hindman are joining the Danish company's Findlay, Ohio headquartered North America organization.
Lamar Rider graduated from the University of Alabama and has an extensive track record in the animal health and nutrition industry. Chelcee Hindman grew up on a farm in central Iowa and graduated from Iowa State University. She has worked with several of the leading companies in the feed industry, reported Hamlet Protein.
Hamlet Protein has been investing in people and plant capacity over the past few months as it aims to further grow its leading position in the North American market.
“We believe that high quality young animal feed is the key to optimizing productivity. We also believe that North America will maintain a dominant role in the global animal protein space. We are well positioned to further grow in swine and developing the poultry market,” commented Grady Fain, regional director.
