b'LEADINGSINCE THE 1990S , the Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA) has been a pillar supporting independent seed companies across the U.S. gathernot in competition, but in collaboration. For many, that collaboration is invaluable: being able to talk IPSAanother independent owner and ask how they dealt with a specific situation, be it HR, crops or other topics, helps both busi-nesses grow by bouncing ideas off one another. IPSA is only able to facilitate this collaboration with the IPSA leadership team behind the scenes. With the IPSA board, the organization is able to improve, grow and continue to give inde-pendents new opportunities.INTO THETwo board members, in particular, are helping guide the organization beyond into the future.Continuing a LegacyGrowing up, Tim Greene never expected hed end up in the seed industry. Sure, he grew up in a small town near Burrus Seeds FUTURE headquarters, but his family was not in the ag industry.I grew up around sales thanks to my familys involvement in the car business, Greene, president of Burrus Seed and current IPSA president, says. When I went to college I saw sales as a likely career path for me, but I didnt envision it being in the seed business.Prior to that, Greene says his involvement with agriculture was limited to detasseling at Burrus Seed when he was 13 years old. It was one of those situations of what do you do when you Tim Greene and Chris Cornelius reflectcant drive and youre looking to make a little money, he says. on the last year with the IndependentBut I stopped when my family relocated during high school.When he moved back to the area for college, through intern-Professional Seed Association and lookships and summer break jobs, Greene began seeing seed as a toward the future.Alex Martin viable profession. Really, it was the mentorship of his father-in-law, Tom Burrus, who guided his seed career. Tom, Todd and their father, Martin, gave me the opportu-nity to join the business and light my path, Greene says. They encouraged me to experience every facet of the seed industry, from production to sales. Toms influence didnt stop at Burrus Seedit inspired Greenes career with IPSA.Todd Martin really hounded me to join IPSAs board, but it was Toms involvement with the organization that had a major influence on my career decisions, he says. I had a lot of respect for Tom, he was a true seedsman with a strong passion for people and this industry.JANUARY 2022SEEDWORLD.COM /41'