Full Name
Drew Van Winkle
Company
StoneX Financial Inc.
Speaking At
Speaker Bio
Drew Van Winkle works in Risk Management for StoneX Financial Inc in Bowling Green, Ohio. Before working at StoneX, Drew worked in Agronomy for a cooperative in North Central Iowa. Now, his primary responsibility is to develop price risk management plans for companies that have exposure in the commodities, specifically in the fertilizer market. While not at work, Drew enjoys spending time with his family and being outdoors
Full Name
Peter Zeihan
Company
Zeihan on Geopolitics
Speaker Bio
Peter Zeihan is a geopolitical strategist, which is a fancy way of saying he helps people understand how the world works. Peter combines an expert understanding of demography, economics, energy, politics, technology, and security to help clients best prepare for an uncertain future.
Over the course of his career, Peter has worked for the US State Department in Australia, the DC think tank community, and helped develop the analytical models for Stratfor, one of the world’s premier private intelligence companies. Peter founded his own firm — Zeihan on Geopolitics — in 2012 in order to provide a select group of clients with direct, custom analytical products. Today those clients represent a vast array of sectors including energy majors, financial institutions, business associations, agricultural interests, universities and the U.S. military.
With a keen eye toward what will drive tomorrow’s headlines, his irreverent approach transforms topics that are normally dense and heavy into accessible, relevant takeaways for audiences of all types.
Peter is a critically-acclaimed author whose first two books — The Accidental Superpower and The Absent Superpower — have been recommended by Mitt Romney, Fareed Zakaria and Ian Bremmer. His latest third title, Disunited Nations: The Scramble for Power in an Ungoverned World became available in March 2020.
Peter’s fourth book, The End of the World is Just the Beginning: Mapping the Collapse of Globalization, became available in June 2022.
Over the course of his career, Peter has worked for the US State Department in Australia, the DC think tank community, and helped develop the analytical models for Stratfor, one of the world’s premier private intelligence companies. Peter founded his own firm — Zeihan on Geopolitics — in 2012 in order to provide a select group of clients with direct, custom analytical products. Today those clients represent a vast array of sectors including energy majors, financial institutions, business associations, agricultural interests, universities and the U.S. military.
With a keen eye toward what will drive tomorrow’s headlines, his irreverent approach transforms topics that are normally dense and heavy into accessible, relevant takeaways for audiences of all types.
Peter is a critically-acclaimed author whose first two books — The Accidental Superpower and The Absent Superpower — have been recommended by Mitt Romney, Fareed Zakaria and Ian Bremmer. His latest third title, Disunited Nations: The Scramble for Power in an Ungoverned World became available in March 2020.
Peter’s fourth book, The End of the World is Just the Beginning: Mapping the Collapse of Globalization, became available in June 2022.
Speaking At
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Full Name
Brett Sciotto
Company
Aimpoint Research®
Speaker Bio
Brett Sciotto is the founder and CEO of Aimpoint Research, a global, strategic intelligence firm specializing in agri-food that was named to the 2020 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in the U.S. Brett leads a team of former military intelligence officers, agricultural experts, and market research professionals as they work to empower intelligence-driven organizations. Through a unique blend of military intelligence techniques and cutting-edge market research capabilities, Aimpoint Research helps organizations understand what's really happening in the future marketplace, what's going to happen in the future, and what to do to ensure success in that future. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and a former Army Intelligence Officer, Brett Sciotto brings a practical, results-oriented approach to the civilian business world. His training in, and emphasis on, mission-critical information gathering and targeted research methodology make him unique in his approach to problem solving in a corporate environment.
Full Name
Margy Eckelkamp
Company
Farm Journal
Speaking At
Speaker Bio
Margy Eckelkamp is a multimedia journalist providing the agricultural industry with leading service journalism. As editor of The Scoop, Margy provides editorial guidance, organization, and reporting for the publication serving ag retailers, crop consultants and farm managers. She also continues to be part of the team that aligns Machinery Pete with farm equipment dealers to build the fastest-growing farm equipment website. Before her current position, Margy was the machinery editor and test plot director for Farm Journal. She helped launch the Corn College series of events and also provided agronomic content for Corn College TV. She lives in east-central Missouri with her husband and two children. In 2021, Governor Mike Parson appointed Margy to serve a 6-year term on the Missouri Conservation Commission.
Full Name
Kenneth Scott Zuckerberg
Company
CoBank ACB
Speaking At
Speaker Bio
Kenneth Scott Zuckerberg is an accomplished financial strategist that serves as the lead analyst for grains, farm supply, and biofuels within CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange.
Ken brings more than 30 years of diverse experience spanning industry research, equity and capital structure analysis, and investment management. Before joining CoBank in 2019, he served in similar capacities at two other major agricultural lenders, Wells Fargo and Rabobank. Prior to that, Ken was the managing partner of Carlan Advisors, LLC, an independent research and consulting firm he founded in 2003. Earlier in his career, Ken was a senior equity analyst with several leading investment firms including Lazard Asset Management, Smith Barney and Keefe Bruyette and Woods.
Ken earned his bachelors of science in finance from the University of South Florida and is a graduate of Wharton’s General Management Program (GMP). He is currently pursuing a Master in Law degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s Carey Law School. Ken is also an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®).
Ken brings more than 30 years of diverse experience spanning industry research, equity and capital structure analysis, and investment management. Before joining CoBank in 2019, he served in similar capacities at two other major agricultural lenders, Wells Fargo and Rabobank. Prior to that, Ken was the managing partner of Carlan Advisors, LLC, an independent research and consulting firm he founded in 2003. Earlier in his career, Ken was a senior equity analyst with several leading investment firms including Lazard Asset Management, Smith Barney and Keefe Bruyette and Woods.
Ken earned his bachelors of science in finance from the University of South Florida and is a graduate of Wharton’s General Management Program (GMP). He is currently pursuing a Master in Law degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s Carey Law School. Ken is also an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®).
Full Name
Gary Farrell
Company
Ag Enterprise Supply, Inc.
Speaking At
Speaker Bio
Gary Farrell has been involved in the retail agriculture business for the last 47 years. The last 36 years as owner and President of Ag Enterprise Supply, Inc. An eastern Washington crop production supply business and precision ag equipment dealer. The ag equipment segment custom manufactures all types of spraying equipment for crop and noncrop applications.
Ag Enterprise Supply, Inc. is a member of Westlink Ag Co-op of which Gary served ten years as the president of the board of directors. He has been a supporter of the Pacific Northwest Direct Seed association and received their Direct Seed Industry Pioneer award for outstanding leadership by example. He also served as co-chairman of the Washington State Soil Health committee from its inception. During this time he was involved with the National Soil Health Committee and National Cover Crop Committee. He is now serving as a trustee of the Washington State Wishing Star Foundation.
During his time on the ARA board of directors he served two terms as the chairman of the ARA Public Policy committee. When serving as Chairman of the ARA board of directors he was involved in the formation of the Responsible Ag committee. He also represented the ARA at the Brazilian Andav congress two years and one year at the French retailers’ conference. As a ag retail member he testified at the USDA for the NRCS grower nutrient management program.
Ag Enterprise Supply, Inc. is a member of Westlink Ag Co-op of which Gary served ten years as the president of the board of directors. He has been a supporter of the Pacific Northwest Direct Seed association and received their Direct Seed Industry Pioneer award for outstanding leadership by example. He also served as co-chairman of the Washington State Soil Health committee from its inception. During this time he was involved with the National Soil Health Committee and National Cover Crop Committee. He is now serving as a trustee of the Washington State Wishing Star Foundation.
During his time on the ARA board of directors he served two terms as the chairman of the ARA Public Policy committee. When serving as Chairman of the ARA board of directors he was involved in the formation of the Responsible Ag committee. He also represented the ARA at the Brazilian Andav congress two years and one year at the French retailers’ conference. As a ag retail member he testified at the USDA for the NRCS grower nutrient management program.
Full Name
Jeffrey Troike
Company
Ceres Solutions Cooperative
Speaking At
Speaker Bio
Jeff Troike has worked in production agriculture and agribusiness since the early 1980s. He was raised in rural Starke County, graduated from North Judson High School, and attended Purdue University. Jeff brings four decades of experience to his management role, as well as a great understanding for what it takes to be successful in agriculture. He also leads with a passion to give back to the communities in which Ceres Solutions serves. Ceres Solutions Cooperative is 100% farmer-owned. The company is a leading supplier of agronomy inputs, seed, technology, information, power fuels, lubes, propane gas, animal nutrition and more. In 2016, Jeff was honored to be among the 2016 recipients of the Purdue University College of Agriculture's Distinguished Agriculture Alumni Award, which recognizes alumni who have made significant contributions to their profession or society.
Full Name
Troy Bolt
Company
Simplot Grower Solutions
Speaking At
Speaker Bio
Troy Bolt is currently Vice President & General Manager of Simplot Grower Solutions. He joined the J.R. Simplot Company in 2017 as Vice President of Supply Chain and Procurement within the Agribusiness division. Prior to joining Simplot, Troy held a variety of senior management roles with Crop Production Services, BASF and Sulvaris. Troy currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Crop Life America and previously has served on the Fertilizer Canada Board and Nutrients for Life Board.
Full Name
Tom Ryan
Company
Truterra, the farmer-driven sustainability program of Land O'Lakes
Speaking At
Speaker Bio
As President of Truterra, Tom leads Land O’Lakes’ sustainability business and is driving farmer adoption of agronomically sound climate-smart practices. Under Tom’s leadership, Truterra is focused on creating new value streams up and down the supply chain by connecting farmers, ag retailers, and food, CPG and other downstream companies. Tom is a 23-year veteran of the Land O’Lakes federated system, and throughout his tenure, he has held multiple leadership roles, most recently leading WinField® United’s business operations team and Strategic Retail Alliance efforts executing partnerships, alliances and joint ventures with retail members and basic manufacturers.
Tom is also a multi-generation farmer who is an active partner in his family’s 1,200-acre corn and soybean farm near Springfield, MN. Tom brings a unique perspective from a farmer, retailer, and industry lens that he demonstrates daily as he works to advance the ag industry benefitting the farmers and local communities we serve.
Tom is also a multi-generation farmer who is an active partner in his family’s 1,200-acre corn and soybean farm near Springfield, MN. Tom brings a unique perspective from a farmer, retailer, and industry lens that he demonstrates daily as he works to advance the ag industry benefitting the farmers and local communities we serve.
Full Name
Daren Coppock
Company
ARA
Speaking At
Speaker Bio
Daren Coppock began serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) in November 2009. In this role he leads a staff of eight people to accomplish the mission of the ARA, which is to ensure a profitable business environment for members of the association through its public policy work in Washington, DC. ARA also provides additional value to members through a variety of educational and leadership training opportunities, an informative and social annual conference, and regular updates on key legislative and regulatory issues.
Prior to joining ARA, Coppock was the Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) for over eight years. Other previous posts include five years as the Executive Vice President for the Oregon Wheat Growers League and another five years as the first full-time Administrator of the Oregon Grains Commission.
Coppock holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University in Agricultural and Resource Economics. He was named Distinguished Alumnus of OSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences in 2011. He is a past National Vice President of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) (1986-1987). As a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR) national agricultural fraternity, he was recognized in 2004 as one of AGR’s Brothers of the Century, an honor bestowed on less than 2% of the fraternity’s membership in conjunction with its 100th Anniversary.
Coppock was born and raised on a wheat and cattle ranch in eastern Oregon, near Pendleton. He and his wife Mechelle have three children and one grandson and reside in Gainesville, Virginia. He has served in a volunteer capacity as Treasurer of the Falls Church City Band Boosters, President of the Poplar Heights Recreation Association, as a Board Member for Ag Future of America (AFA), a leader of the YMCA Adventure Guides program, coordinator for the George Mason High School Athletic Boosters and a volunteer coach for Falls Church youth basketball.
Prior to joining ARA, Coppock was the Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) for over eight years. Other previous posts include five years as the Executive Vice President for the Oregon Wheat Growers League and another five years as the first full-time Administrator of the Oregon Grains Commission.
Coppock holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University in Agricultural and Resource Economics. He was named Distinguished Alumnus of OSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences in 2011. He is a past National Vice President of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) (1986-1987). As a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR) national agricultural fraternity, he was recognized in 2004 as one of AGR’s Brothers of the Century, an honor bestowed on less than 2% of the fraternity’s membership in conjunction with its 100th Anniversary.
Coppock was born and raised on a wheat and cattle ranch in eastern Oregon, near Pendleton. He and his wife Mechelle have three children and one grandson and reside in Gainesville, Virginia. He has served in a volunteer capacity as Treasurer of the Falls Church City Band Boosters, President of the Poplar Heights Recreation Association, as a Board Member for Ag Future of America (AFA), a leader of the YMCA Adventure Guides program, coordinator for the George Mason High School Athletic Boosters and a volunteer coach for Falls Church youth basketball.
Speaking At
Full Name
Jim Horsley
Speaker Bio
Jim’s professional career includes 200 missions as a highly decorated Navy combat pilot in Vietnam and over 150 airshows as a demonstration pilot with the world-famous Blue Angels.
Upon completion of his military service, he entered commercial real estate development and ran his own company for five years. Jim then spent nine years in major gift fundraising and senior leadership in a worldwide humanitarian organization, and led 12 major donor vision trips to Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, including two visits to North Vietnam. He spent five years with a Boeing flight simulator training company as a B-737/B-777 flight simulator instructor in addition to leading the development of a new overseas simulator-training program for pilots from China and India.
Prior to his retirement, Jim spent seven years with Pro Athletes Outreach as Chief Operating Officer directing the strategic expansion of a conference-based ministry program for high school coaches and spouses around the country.
Over the past 25 years he has spoken to businesses, non-profit organizations, veterans’ groups, prayer breakfasts, and sports and business chapels; in 1998 he wrote “A Different Kind of Courage”, released nationally through Word Publishing.
Jim is an emerging oil painter, active in his local church and is involved in the leadership of two weekly men’s Bible study fellowship groups. He and his wife Sonya attended Oregon State, and currently live in Sisters, Oregon. They have two grown children and four grandchildren, both families residing in California.
Upon completion of his military service, he entered commercial real estate development and ran his own company for five years. Jim then spent nine years in major gift fundraising and senior leadership in a worldwide humanitarian organization, and led 12 major donor vision trips to Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, including two visits to North Vietnam. He spent five years with a Boeing flight simulator training company as a B-737/B-777 flight simulator instructor in addition to leading the development of a new overseas simulator-training program for pilots from China and India.
Prior to his retirement, Jim spent seven years with Pro Athletes Outreach as Chief Operating Officer directing the strategic expansion of a conference-based ministry program for high school coaches and spouses around the country.
Over the past 25 years he has spoken to businesses, non-profit organizations, veterans’ groups, prayer breakfasts, and sports and business chapels; in 1998 he wrote “A Different Kind of Courage”, released nationally through Word Publishing.
Jim is an emerging oil painter, active in his local church and is involved in the leadership of two weekly men’s Bible study fellowship groups. He and his wife Sonya attended Oregon State, and currently live in Sisters, Oregon. They have two grown children and four grandchildren, both families residing in California.
