NAMA is pleased to congratulate this year’s Professional Development Awards of Excellence recipients sponsored by Farm Progress Companies.

MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
Troy Schroeder, Chief Marketing Officer, Broadhead

Troy has led numerous award-winning campaigns from concept to completion. His ability to combine sound strategy with innovative new communications tools has created tangible results for numerous clients, including AGCO (Massey Ferguson, Challenger, Gleaner, RoGator and TerraGator), American Le Mans Series, Cat Auction Services, IndyCar Series, John Deere, Minnesota FFA Foundation, The Mosaic Company, Oxbo International Corporation, Renewable Fuels Association, Trimble Navigation and USDA.

Troy’s work with the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) and the IndyCar Series earned numerous awards and over one billion media impressions in a two-year campaign that focused on the performance and environmental attributes of the renewable fuel. In addition, ethanol was named Agri Marketing’s Product of the Year during the campaign.

A NAMA member since 2004, Troy has been involved in his local chapter and a consistent supporter of the national NAMA organization. He has served on the board of directors for the North Central Chapter, encouraged committee and board involvement from other Broadhead employees, and continues to be a contributor locally and nationally.

PUBLIC RELATIONS
Justin Funk, Managing Partner, Agri Studies Inc.

For over 20 years, Agri Studies has been offering marketing research and educational programs to the agribusiness industry.  Today, Agri Studies offers certificate programs in Professional Selling and Agri Marketing that allow students to write their own course by using real life situations they’re presently experiencing.  There is currently a waiting list to enter, and the concept was expanded into Western Canada locations.

Justin has also been very involved in CAMA. He took over as the CAMA Ontario Chapter President in 2008. During his two-year leadership, CAMA Ontario membership has grown from 125 to 150, and attendance at events and meetings has seen a 15% increase. He voluntarily developed the Certificate in Agri-Marketing as an educational program of CAMA, and assisted the University of Guelph Student Chapter as they developed their marketing project for the NAMA Student Competition. He continually encourages other CAMA members to provide input and feedback to the students to help prepare them for their competition.

PRODUCT/SPECIES MANAGEMENT
Kevin Bien, Product Marketing Manager, AGCO

Kevin Bien is responsible for AGCO’s successful introduction of the Gleaner S7 Super Series of combines. The Gleaner tagline (and also its mantra) is “Built With The Farmer In Mind.” When he wears his product manager hat—his official role on Gleaner from 2006 until 2011—Kevin uses his phenomenal knowledge of the product and the needs of its dealers and customers to drive product development to deliver on the promise of that tagline and the promise of the brand. The new Gleaner Super Series is up to 40 to 60 percent greater in capacity, and very up-to-date in harvesting technology and precision-ag technology, all while retaining the grain sample quality, compactness, maneuverability, soil-protecting lighter weight and easier serviceability. This advancement occurred because Kevin fought tooth and nail to deliver the product that dealers, farmers and custom harvesters wanted and had been asking AGCO to deliver for many years.

Kevin is the epitome of what a national agriculture marketing professional should be. He has been an example for many NAMA members at AGCO as well as a constant supporter of his subordinates’ and colleagues’ investment and participation in NAMA activities.

SALES
John Rozum, Sales Manager, World Dairy Expo
John’s responsibilities involve all aspects of sales for World Dairy Expo, from exhibit space to sponsored events to all sponsored items, signage and materials. As a result, he works directly with the 850+ companies exhibiting at the show from 28 different countries. John takes his responsibility for clear, almost-instant communication seriously, regardless of the question or language barrier. Under John’s leadership, guidance and hard work, Expo has grown exponentially in exhibit and sponsorship sales.

John is a long-time volunteer and leader in the Badger NAMA Chapter. He is currently serving as Vice President and Programming Chair. Much like his work at WDE, John brings new and innovative ideas to Badger NAMA where he is known for developing and implementing impressive programs for ag marketing professionals.

The first ever NAMA Fall Conference is taking shape and filling up fast! And it’s right around the corner—September 25-26, 2012, in Minneapolis.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the action! CHECK OUT WHO’S COMING. Download the attendee list.

Here’s what’s in store …

• Insightful Keynote Speaker. Steve Schussler, founder of Rainforest Cafe, is living proof that setting your goals high and staying focused pays off! He’ll share his secrets to success.
• Next Level Breakout Sessions. Created especially for agri-marketers ready to move up the career ladder and acquire game-changing professional development skills.
• Classic NAMA Networking. Rub shoulders with NAMA leadership and expand your circle of influential agri-marketing professionals.
• Leadership Celebration and Cultivation. Learn how to propel your career through NAMA.

But don’t wait. The seats are almost filled, and we want to see you there!  Click here for details Fall Conference.

Check out our weekly posts on Facebook and Twitter as we profile and honor our NAMA leaders.  These leaders will share their thoughts, wisdom, and experiences that helped shape their careers and developed them into the industry leaders they are today.

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You can be part of the Agri-Business Educational Foundation (ABEF) Century Club for less that 9 bucks a month. That’s right, just a $100 gift to ABEF puts your name on the list with other agribusiness professionals who understand the value of supporting today’s Student NAMA Chapter members, the National Student NAMA Marketing Plan competition, student mentoring and much more. Send a check. Use a credit card. Your $100 gift could be tax deductible and goes a long way to helping future agribusiness leaders. Click here to find out more.

Western Pacific chapter leaders gathered in Portland earlier this month to discuss future chapter direction and activities.  Deschutes Brewery was the site of the September 7 meeting.

Two new Sustaining Partners have been named to NAMA.  ABM Agri Council has increased their sponsorship level to the Sustaining Partner level. ABM is a long time sponsor of NAMA and chose to increase their participation for the coming year. The mission of the ABM Agri Council is to increase the value of the media channels that serve the agricultural industry, thus enhancing the business growth, knowledge and best practices of leading agricultural companies.

A second Sustaining Partner, AgHub has also been announced. A new sponsor to NAMA they have elected to come in at the highest level.  AgHub, founded in 2011 by Outdoor Hub, is the online platform leader for advertisers and publishers targeting the agricultural community. With a growing digital ecosystem of 200+ websites that attract Full Time Farmers, Hobby Farmers, and Rural “Lifestylers”, AgHub reaches over 7,000,000 targetable unique visitors each month.  AgHub offers advertisers single point of contact for all sites, economical pricing, premium positioning, guaranteed delivery, and dedicated optimization for each individual campaign.