b'Tom imparted the value of continuousmarketing, and I still get to dabble in that, learning and teaching to Greene. He saysbut I am currently in charge of payroll and Tom continuously focused on sharingHRtheres always something to learn I ideas and wisdom with the next genera- get to do a lot of the behind-the-scenes tion.work.I saw it demonstrated on a daily basisAs for IPSA, Cornelius said shes beenhe loved being an independent seeds- lucky to have been very involved since the man, Greene says. When you see thatfirst meetings in St. Louis. There, she really passion, you see the benefits that comeloved getting to know like-minded busi-with it. We have the unique experiencenesses who just wanted what was best for working as a family business, but alsoeach other. When it came to diving into the get to come together with peers at IPSA.leadership, however, she was a little more Some of us might be friendly competi- hesitant.tors, but ultimately, were all independentChuck was approached to be on the companies with the same goal. board a number of years ago. He served two terms and was president, she says. Finding Strength in Numbers Four years ago, I got the callI remem-Meanwhile, for Chris Cornelius, agricul- ber Chuck mentioning how they would talk ture was always in the forefront. about money and finances, not my strong I grew up on a diversified crop andsuit. Chuck reminded me my strength lies livestock farm, Cornelius, executiveelsewherepeople skills.assistant at Cornelius Seed and upcomingBeing able to read people and discern IPSA president, says. I knew thats where Isituations is just as important as needing Chris Cornelius, upcoming president ofwanted to beits where my heart is. those finance skills. IPSA. Growing up, Cornelius wanted to be aI needed to hear you dont need to veterinarian, but her high school chemistryhave all the same skill sets to be on the and algebra classes changed the directionboard, nor should you, Cornelius says. for her future. She earned a degree in agThat was the little push I needed.journalism at Iowa State.It melded the best of both worldsTackling the Issuesbecause I could take a variety of agricul- However, being president and upcoming ture classes plus a wide array of journal- president of the IPSA board of direc-ism, she says.tors comes with a lot of responsibilityAfter marrying Chuck, Cornelius alsomainly, trying to do whatevers in the best married into the seed business. She gotinterest of IPSA members. her start working as a detasseling crewOne of the biggest road bumps they leader the first summer. As the companyfaced wasnt something anyone saw started progressively growing, Corneliuscoming: the pandemic. took over the order entry some of theMy first few years on the board, we marketing and planning meetings. were able to get together for brainstorm-The really nerve-wracking part wasing sessions with face-to-face com-adding all the orders by hand, makingmunication, Greene says. Since Bretts sure the totals were correct and thenpresidency last year and through my term turning them over to my father-in-law,this year, were still hosting meetings on she jokes. Once we had a computer andZoom calls.seed software totaling orders was a pieceAnd while Zoom calls are something of cake. the industry has gotten used to, the real Marketing, however, was wherehiccup becomes the distractions that Cornelius found a passion. occur during Zoom meetings.Everybody has their own strength,The upside is you dont have to take Tim Greene, current IPSA president. Cornelius says. My favorite piece isthe time to travel, Cornelius says. The 42/ SEEDWORLD.COMJANUARY 2022'