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I L L I NO I S A GRIC U LT U RA L L EAD ERS HI P FO U ND AT I O N
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PROGRESSIONS
W A S H I N G T O N D. C . S E M I N A R A D D S
GETTY SBURG LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
From presentations by bioterrorism experts and agriculture committee staff
members to exploring leadership lessons on the battlefield at Gettysburg, the
Illinois Agricultural Leadership Program (IALP) Class of 2016 participants
learned first-hand of the most pressing issues facing agriculture as they traveled
to Washington, D.C. for a seven-day seminar on national policy.
The seminar included presentations by 37 speakers representing 19 federal
agencies, companies and associations. These included the Department of Agriculture, The World Bank, Department of Justice, CropLife America, Department of Energy, Farm Credit Administration, House Agriculture Committee,
Embassy of Australia, Environmental Protection Agency, Monsanto, Department of Transportation, Commodities and Futures Trading Commission, FBI,
Animal Agriculture Alliance, National Pork Producers Council, and staff members to Congressman Rodney Davis, and U.S. Senators Richard Durbin and
Mark Kirk. (continued on page 3)
IN THIS ISSUE:
►President’s Message.…..2
►Class Focus……...............2
►Alumni News………….4,5,6
►Office Relocation...……….7
►Leadership in Action.…...8
►2nd Quarter
Investors…………………...9,10
Members of the Class of 2016 visited the World Bank to learn about agricultural
programs in developing nations during the National Study Seminar in Washington, D.C.
sponsored by Monsanto.
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Welcome to the Network - by Don Norton
“Networking” as it pertains to
business relationships is not a new
concept, but it’s an important one.
The Harvard Business Review
defines networking as “creating a
fabric of personal contacts who
will provide support, feedback, insight, resources, and information.”
And while networking is frequently
seen as insincere or manipulative,
the Review points out that the alternative to networking is to fail—
even in leadership positions.
At the IALF, we frequently talk with
our class members about building their
networks and tapping into the network
of our graduates, speakers and our investing companies and associations to help
CLASS OF 2016
them in their leadership journeys.
SEMINAR SCHEDULE:
The concept of the “IALF Network”
usually hits home with a class after the
July 15-17, 2015—Media
National Study Seminar in Washington,
Relations Seminar, Chicago
D.C. It’s during this seminar that class
members realize that the people leading
August 12-14, 2015—
our nation put their pants on one leg at a
GROWMARK Global
time like everyone else. There is a sudden
Challenges Seminar, Peoria.
November 22-24, 2015—
Business Decision Making
Seminar, sponsored by John
Deere, Evanston.
December 9-11, 2015—
Farm Credit Services Seminar on Innovation &
Change, Metro St. Louis
area.
discovery that most of the people working
in the nation’s capital are about their age,
and many of the people making agricultural policy decisions have never been on a
farm.
It’s also at the National Study Seminar
that class members see the depth of the
IALF network. They talk with our graduates who are working in the nation’s capitol, become at ease with our board members who are actively engaged in the D.C.
community, and they visit with our partners who watch over government on behalf
of the agricultural community. The idea
occurs to more than one class member—
”perhaps I should be here.”
Turn to pages 4-6 of this newsletter and
you’ll read about some members of our
alumni network. These are people who
don’t sit on the sidelines and watch; they
are players engaged in our future—their
future—-the future of the world’s most
essential industry.
So, welcome to the IALF network,
Class of 2016. These are people who will
help you succeed for the benefit of us all.
CLASS OF 2016 FOCUS
Jill Frueh, Ohio, is the Bureau County Farm
Bureau Manager. She
has been active within
the Illinois Farm Bureau
for more than 15 years.
Her volunteer work includes the Illinois Extension Council Partners
in both Lawrence and
Bureau Counties, serving on the Princeton
Ambassadors Committee, representing agriculture on the Princeton LEADS team and
serving on the Princeton Area Chamber of
Commerce for 10 years. Most recently she
and her family have been active in the Adopt
a Classroom program. Jill has a Bachelor of
Science degree in Animal Science and
Agronomy from Western Illinois University.
Joel Barickman, Ancona, is the sixth
generation to work his
family farm in Livingston County. He has
volunteered with the
Champaign County
Chamber of Commerce and Economic
Development Corporation advocating on tax
and regulation issues.
A graduate of the University of Illinois in General Engineering,
Joel was an Academic All-Big Ten baseball
player and received the George Huff Award
for outstanding achievements in academics
and athletics.
P R OG R E S S I O N S
Page 3
Washington D.C. Seminar (continued from page 1)
“Learning first-hand how federal policy is developed and prioritized is important for agricultural
leaders,” said Don Norton, IALF President & CEO.
“The National Study Seminar sponsored by Monsanto allows current participants the opportunity to
visit with our graduates and industry associates who
are engaged in policy-making in Washington, D.C.”
Among the highlights of the seminar were: discussions of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP)
trade agreement and the Trade Promotion Authority
(TPA) with Fiona Hutchinson from New Zealand;
learning how the FBI supports the food and agricul- University of Illinois President and IALF Board Member
Robert Easter attended a reception at CropLife America to
ture sector with Steven Goldsmith, Biological
tell the Class of 2016 about a Presidential Executive Order
Countermeasures Unit at FBI Headquarters; mesrequiring all animal antibiotics to have a veterinary
prescription beginning in 2016.
sages of leadership in the farm credit industry by
Leland Strom, a board member of the U.S. Farm
Credit Administration and 1988 graduate of the IALP; a presentation by Jay Vroom, President and CEO
of CropLife America; and a discussion with Chuck Connor, President and CEO of the National Council of
Farmer Cooperatives regarding
the many agricultural industry
groups that carry the message of
agriculture to the nation’s capitol.
At the site of Pickett’s Charge, the last battle at Gettysburg, guide Terry Fox
(at right) discusses leadership factors that led to the Union army victory.
The study seminar ended on
the battlefield of Gettysburg
where Terry Fox, Battlefield
Guide Emeritus, discussed leadership issues that ultimately led
to the Union victory in the Civil
War.
Register TODAY for the IALF Golf Outing and Trap Shoot!
It’s Monday, June
29 at Edgewood Golf Course in Auburn, IL (just south of Springfield). You can register on-line at
http://agleadership.org/2015-ialf-golf-classic-registration/.
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ALUMNI NEWS
WE APPRECIATE OUR
CORPORATE INVESTORS
The Illinois Senate has voted to confirm Philip Nelson (IALP ’84) as the Director of
the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The fourth-generation grain and livestock
farmer was appointed by Governor Bruce Rauner on January 16, 2015.
"I've been in agriculture my entire life, both as a farmer and a professional working
to promote the industry," Nelson said. "I realize that there is a lot of work to do, such
as strengthening our transportation infrastructure, increasing exports, and serving our
customers in a timely manner. My priority is to listen and work with producers and
stakeholders to make sure we are supporting our #1 industry and ultimately working to
turn around Illinois' economy."
Ray Hankes (IALP ’84) will be part of Philip Nelson’s team at the IDOA. Dr.
Hankes is the Director of the Division of Food Safety and Animal Protection for the
Illinois Department of Agriculture. He is responsible for the state meat inspection program, the state veterinarians, the Animal Diagnostic Lab in Galesburg, the state egg
program and a wide variety of small animal programs and facility licensing.
Ken Maschhoff (IALP ’88) was elected in March to the
Ken Maschhoff
post of vice president for the National Pork Producers
Council. The NPPC represents the 68,000 pork producers nationwide. Ken is chairman of Maschhoff Family
Foods, which owns pork and poultry businesses. The
Maschhoffs LLC., the pork division, has become one of
the largest pork production companies in the world, producing 5 million pigs annually through a network of
more than 450 production partners in 10 states.
Brandy Marron IALP ’16 and Krista Lottinville IALP ’16 attended the Leadership Effectiveness Luncheon hosted by the
Vermilion County Republican Women's
Club on March 21st in Danville, Illinois.
They heard from an impressive panel of great
female leaders including Chief Justice of the
Illinois Supreme Court Rita B. Garman, newly elected Vermilion County Clerk Cathy
Jenkins, and Chief Public Defender Vermilion County Jacqueline M. Lacy as well as
former Miss America and Attorney Erika N.
Krista Lottinville, Erika Harold, and Brandy Marron
L. Harold, pictured here.
P R OG R E S S I O N S
Page 5
Alumni News (continued)
Lee Strom (IALP ’88) just completed his service at the Farm
Credit Administration, where he had served as a board member
from December of 2006 to March of 2015, and Chairman and CEO
from May of 2008 to November of 2012. Even though he was originally appointed to a six-year term, he continued to serve until the
Presidential nomination and Senate confirmation of his successor,
who was officially seated in mid-March. Lee's eight years and
three months of service at FCA make him the longest serving member of the three person board. Lee also served concurrently as a
member of the board of directors of the Farm Credit System InsurLee Strom
ance Corporation, where he served as Chair from December of 2006
to May of 2008.
While at FCA, Lee had the "wonderful" opportunity to host five IALP classes during their
Washington leg of the National Travel Seminar. He also played a helpful role during those
years in assisting IALP staff in securing sessions with other Federal Agencies. He recalls the
class of 2010's visit in March of 2009, as they were the among the first public visitors to be
hosted by the new Office of the Director of National Intelligence and Terrorism Threat Assessment Center adjacent to the FCA building.
Among Lee's new roles, he has been named Senior Advisor to FARM Illinois: A Food
and Agriculture Roadmap for Illinois. Lee is also being named a Principal at Open Prairie
Ventures, a venture capital firm headquartered in Illinois, which looks to bring innovationfocused private equity to the Midwest.
During their years in DC, Lee and Twyla became grandparents (twice) and are now back
at their home on the farm near Elgin and looking forward to the class of 1988's reunion this
coming July!
Randy DeSutter (IALP ’86) was one of four people named a “Master Farmer” at the annual
Prairie Farmer Master Farmer luncheon and program in Springfield on March 11. Governor
Bruce Rauner and Director Nelson addressed the crowd, talking about the importance of
farmers to our state and economy. The Master Farmer program started in 1925 to recognize
the finest farmers in Illinois. Randy served on the Knox County Board for nine years. He's
represented Illinois agriculture in three commodities (beef, corn and
soybeans) and has worked at the national level on behalf of both beef
and soybeans.
Ron Moore (IALP ’98), Secretary of the American Soybean Association, was a featured panelist at the USDA Stakeholder Workshop on
Coexistence held in Raleigh, N.C. in March. He discussed
“Biotechnology and its Applications in Modern Soybean Production.”
Ron Moore
THANK YOU TO OUR
CORPORATE INVESTORS
The following corporations provide a significant level of financial
support to the IALF,
making it possible to
present a premier leadership development
experience. Please find
their links on our website:
www.agleadership.org
and, when you meet
company representatives, THANK THEM
for making this program possible:
Page 6
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Alumni News (continued)
2015
DATES TO
REMEMBER:
Renee Roberts (IALP ’08) has been promoted to Vice President, Refined Oils Sales,
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM).
June 29—IALF Golf Outing
and Trap Shoot in Auburn, IL
July 15– Save the Date! Evening alumni reception with the
Class of 2016 at Historic
Wagner Farm in Glenview.
August 13-23—Illinois State
Fair. Join us on Ag Day!
IALF Development Director Debi Thurow and her husband, Mike,
are grandparents for the 9th time. Claire Auden Thurow was born on
March 17th. She was 7 pounds 8 ounces and was 19.5
inches long.
Kyle Sheaffer (IALP ’16) and his wife, Amy, welClaire Auden Thurow
comed a baby girl on March 19th. Her name is Lillian
and she weighed in at 6 pounds 13 ounces and was 20 inches long.
Lillian Louann Sheaffer
August 28 – September 7—
DuQuoin State Fair. We’ll be
working on an alumni gathering
in Southern Illinois to correspond to this event.
September 1-3 - the Farm Progress Show returns to Decatur
and we’ll be having a reception!
Steve Bridge (IALP ’16) was featured on “This
Week in Agribusiness” on March 28th, about issues
impacting farmers in Illinois. Steve is the AgriBusiness Director and a news reporter at WFMB Radio in Springfield.
Steve Bridge talks with Max Armstrong and Kristin
Decker on “This Week in Agribusiness.”
These women ARE changing
the face of agriculture!
It was a conference developed by women to empower
young women to take an active role in the future of agriculture.
That’s one of the reasons you’ll find many IALP class participants and alumna taking leadership roles as planners and participants in the event. More than 850 young women attended
the 6th annual conference held at the Bone Student Center at
Illinois State University on March 6. There were more than
250 exhibitors on hand to talk about career opportunities in
agriculture. Among those planning the event and attending
were Jennifer Waters (IALP ’16), Haley Loy Siergiej (IALP
’10), Sara Fernandez (IALP ’12), Deb Schultz (IALP ’12),
Carrie Muehling Vogel (IALP ’10) Penny Lauritzen (IALP
’86), Brittany Dean (IALP ’14), Krista Lottinville (IALP
’16) and Cyndi Punke (IALP ’14).
IALP women who are changing the face of agriculture. From
left, Jennifer Waters, Haley Loy Siergiej, SaraFernandez, Deb
Schultz, Carrie Muehling Vogel, Penny Lauritzen, Brittany
Dean, Krista Lottinville and Cyndi Punke.
P R OG R E S S I O N S
Page 7
IALF Office Moving to Bloomington
The Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation (IALF) will be moving its headquarters to Bloomington effective in April 2015 from its
previous office location in
Macomb.
“We are excited about the
leadership education partnerships we will continue to expand by moving to the central part of the state,” said
Dan Kelley, Chairman of the IALF Board of Directors. “Bloomington has long
served as a convening point for many agricultural associations across the state, and
being located in the area will create a synergy for leadership development among
our class members, alumni and other industry organizations.”
The new location for the Foundation will be 402 North Hershey Road, onehalf mile east of Veterans Parkway. “Our new office location will provide a central
location for IALF staff, board members, alumni and current class members to convene. The facility offers meeting rooms, office space and includes a large auditorium that will enable us to sponsor on-site leadership education programs,” Kelley
said. “We will also work in a virtual office environment enhanced by the teleconferencing capabilities in the building.”
IALF Joins CALF in D.C.
Class 45 of the California Agricultural Leadership
Program met the Class of 2016 of the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation at the USDA building in
Washington, D.C. for a get-acquainted reception during
the National Study Seminar.
During the event, IALF President/CEO Don Norton
gave a copy of the book of Barns of Illinois to Dr.
Michael Thomas, Director of Education at CALF (see
photo at left). California has the oldest agricultural
leadership program in the country, dating back to the
1960s.
The reception provided an opportunity for members
of both classes to learn about different challenges agriDon Norton and Michael Thomas cultural producers face in each state.
THANK YOU TO OUR
CORPORATE SPONSORS
Progressions
Thank you to our 2nd Quarter Investors
Spring 2015
(January 1—March 31, 2015)
This is a quarterly newsletter of the
Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation.
The Foundation is a not-for-
Corporate
Investors
Alumni & Individual
Investors
BASF Corporation
Susan Adams *
Stephen Ayers *
profit organization established in 1981
to provide a leadership development
program for agricultural leaders in Illinois.
Carroll Service Company
P.O. Box 160 • Macomb, IL 61455
T: 309-837-7711
F: 309-836-2259
Email: [email protected]
www.agleadership.org
Chairman of the Board
Dan Kelley
President /CEO
Don Norton
Program Director
John Block
Citizens Bank of Macomb *
Jeff Brown
CoBank *
Dean Campbell
Growmark, Inc. *
Don Cochran *
Heartland Bank & Trust Company *
Illinois Pork Producers Association *
John Deere & Company *
George Dixon
Chet Esther *
Edward Feeney
Ronald Fluegel
Alison Myers
Massac County Farm Bureau
Sheila Fowler
Development Director
Monsanto *
Steven Gustafson
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company *
Nathan Hasheider
Debi Caspall Thurow
Board of Directors
Siamak Mirhakimi Kim Morton
Porter Martin
Enid Schlipf
Gary Baise
Martin Andreas
Chet Boruff
Richard Ryan
John Huston
Robert Easter
Ron Warfield
Tami Craig Shilling
Dan Kelley
Board Emeritus
Orion Samuelson
Don McGillivray
Joyce Watson
Prudential Agricultural Investments
Siemer Milling Company *
Stephenson Service Company
Robert Johnson
Daniel Kelley *
John Kellogg *
Philip Nelson *
The Chicago Farmers *
Kevin Niemann *
Winnebago-Boone County Farm Bureau
Alan Puzey *
James Reed
Lynn Rohrscheib
Allen Sasse
Carl Schwinke
Wendell Shauman *
Pam Smith
* =
THE IALF
PRESIDENT’S CLUB
AT LEAST
FIVE CONSECUTIVE
YEARS AS AN
INVESTOR IN THE
ANNUAL FUND
Marty Turner
Daniel Vial
Steven Weber
Allan Worrell *