Source: Meristem Crop Performance sent via
AgPR--the news distribution service for agriculture
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Veteran ag industry leader Colonel (U.S. Army, retired) Mark Purdy has joined the team at Meristem Crop Performance as Director of Product and Portfolio Management. In the new role, Purdy will lead product portfolio synchronization to boost Meristem's build-out of the most efficient platform for driving farm business success and accelerating innovation.
"We've put together a team of passionate and proven agribusiness leaders to build a scalable platform to help American farmers raise more bushels for less and win in the global grain trade," said Mitch Eviston, Meristem Founder and CEO today in announcing the hire. "We are so excited and pleased to have Colonel Mark as part of our all-star team and apply his unique leadership skills to take us to the next level."
Purdy brings more than 30 years of experience leading organizations of more than 2,000 people, from leading combat units over multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan to managing multi-billion-dollar security assistance portfolios. His roots run back to growing up on a small farm in central Ohio, where they raised sheep, row crops and raced harness horses.
"Agriculture was what I really loved growing up," says Mark. "The values and work ethic gained working on the farm easily translated to military service." He earned a degree in environmental engineering and his officer's commission from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. commanded and served in multiple units stateside and overseas, including tours with the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. Mark's final assignment was the Director of Wargames at the U.S. Army War College, where his job was to bring actionable solutions to top national security dilemmas.
Mark also holds master's degrees in Military Operational Arts from the Air Force Air University and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
After his Army career, Colonel Purdy led operations and consulting for Aimpoint Research, a top strategic intelligence firm focused on agriculture and food. There he helped knit together geopolitics, global market and consumer trends to produce actionable insights for the farmgate.
"My military service and my ag upbringing led me to the stark realization that production agriculture is foundational to national security," he relates. "I call it American Food Power. American Food Power is achieved by having the most viable, cutting-edge farmers in the world, and I believe Meristem is propelling that vision forward like no other company I've seen. I'm excited about the industry leadership Meristem is providing that is focused on growers."
In his new role of Meristem's Director of Product and Portfolio Management, Purdy will be at the nexus point of finance, marketing, manufacturing and distribution, where he will be working to gain and evaluate rich, relevant information.
About Meristem Crop Performance
Meristem Crop Performance, Inc. (www.meristemag.com) helps farmers produce more bushels for less cost per bushel. Meristem is the global leader in delivering live, in-field biologicals through the patented BIO-CAPSULE Technology platform. Meristem significantly reduces waste and increases productivity in crop input systems through accelerated access to innovation, improved supply chain efficiency, and advanced concentrates. Learn more at www.meristemag.com.