Agriculture is a community, and in my experience, some of the best meetings still happen over a cup of coffee.
A lot has changed in the agriculture industry over the past 30 years, but one thing remains constant: the importance of relationships. Whether I was farming, selling seed and fertilizer, or working with polymers, I learned that customers want to feel that you understand their business and have their best interests at heart. Although I transitioned from a large multinational company to a family-owned business with Michelman, the agriculture community still feels like part of my family.
After more than 25 years at Syngenta, making a move might have seemed like a career risk. I had worked across the spectrum of agricultural products building knowledge, connections, and stability within a major industry player. What drew me to Michelman was the rare opportunity to take my experience and build something new with a company eager to expand its presence in agriculture. Michelman, with its 75 years of expertise in water-based coatings and additives for various industries, saw tremendous potential to grow its agriculture business. It was a challenge I couldn’t resist.
Michelman’s interest in agriculture began when customers started using its products for seed coatings and foliar applications. To better serve the agriculture market, Michelman made significant investments in agricultural R&D. As new microplastic-free technologies began to emerge, Michelman looked to bring those innovations to market. That’s where I came in.
Relationships in agriculture are built on years of trust. Delivering a quality product, which Michelman has been doing for decades, isn’t enough. You also have to understand the realities of farming: its unpredictability, the risks growers take every day, and the constant demand for innovation that supports their success.
At Michelman, we understand that agriculture is more than a business; it’s a way of life. That mindset has shaped my entire career. Michelman gave me the chance to establish an agriculture division built on a foundation of innovation and a commitment to the long haul. We’re not just selling agricultural products. We’re developing expertise and making investments that will benefit growers, manufacturers, and the entire supply chain for years to come.
If we haven’t met yet, I hope we do soon. Chances are, it will be over a cup of coffee. I take mine black, of course.
