Beck Ag, Inc. announced today the appointment of Richard Bettison as the company’s new chief executive officer (CEO). The announcement came from Beck Ag Founder and Board Chairman John Finegan. The appointment is effective April 8. Prior to Beck Ag, Bettison served as Head, Commercial Insight for Syngenta, and as president/CEO of AGDATA, LP.
“Richard brings a wealth of experience and knowledge regarding Beck Ag’s business space,” states Finegan. “As a growth-oriented company focused on delivering strategic solutions to our clients, we are excited to have Richard join our team.”
Finegan said longtime Beck Ag CEO Stephanie Liska had shared with him and the Beck Ag Board of Directors over the past two years a desire to scale back her operational role due to increasing family farming obligations. Finegan confirmed that Liska will remain an active participant on the Beck Ag Board, and will serve as an advisor to Bettison to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities in the ensuing months.
“Charlie Beck was my first partner. Stephanie was my second,” says Finegan. “I can’t possibly overstate her role in the success and growth of Beck Ag the past two decades. Stephanie’s passionate leadership and steady hand at the helm are the reasons Beck Ag has successfully established a strong leadership position in the agriculture industry.”
During his time with Syngenta, Bettison led the Seeds business efforts on building a stronger understanding of and relationship with growers. As president/CEO of AGDATA, LP, his executive leadership greatly expanded the company’s role of providing strategic data and analytical solutions to the world’s largest agricultural crop protection and animal health manufacturers.
“The Beck Ag directors unanimously agree that Richard is the right person, at the right time, to lead us to our next level of growth,” says Finegan.
Working closely with Bettison will be the current senior management structure of Jay Kelley, Beck Ag President since January 2018, and Keith Nicholson, Beck Ag COO since January 2017.
“I am honored and thrilled to join Beck Ag as its next CEO,” Bettison states. “Beck Ag has unique data- driven solutions and relationships with thousands of growers and ag professionals. As our clients leverage data, analytics, decision-support tools as well as strong relationships with industry leaders, Beck Ag is well positioned to partner with them to drive growth.”
“Not only does Beck Ag have grower and channel intelligence, they have the capability to develop and execute strategies that have measurable results connecting buyers and sellers efficiently,” says Bettison.
