Ron LeMay Chairman and CEO As the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FarmLink, Ron provides more than the strategic direction for the agriculture technology company, he also provides the inspiration. After more than 40 years pioneering new opportunities for traditional and emerging industries as a corporate executive, entrepreneur and venture capitalist, Ron brings unique experience to FarmLink. He has held diverse executive leadership positions, spanning the full spectrum of company development. In addition, Ron s entrepreneurial drive and business curiosity energizes those who work with him to create new solutions to modern day challenges. In addition to his role with FarmLink, Ron is the Managing Director and Co-Founder of OpenAir Equity Partners where he and his team identify innovation and guide up-and-coming companies in successfully bringing new technology to the marketplace. Prior to founding OpenAir Equity Partners, he spent decades in senior leadership roles with Sprint (President and COO), AT&T and Southwestern Bell, working in environments known for innovation and budding technologies. As the first employee and CEO of Sprint PCS, Ron guided the company from start-up to $10B in annual revenue faster than any company in U.S. history. After leaving Sprint in 2003, Ron became a partner with Ripplewood Holdings where he helped orchestrate the turn-around of Japan Telecom as its CEO. Ron also was instrumental in the formation of GoGo Inflight Internet Services, the leading broadband in-flight Internet service, serving as CEO and now Chairman. He serves as Chairman of the Board for FarmLink, and currently serves on the boards of GoGo Inflight Internet Services and HYLA Mobile. Ron received his JD from University of Arkansas School of Law and Bachelor s degree in Business Administration from Southern Arkansas University. He is actively involved in the greater Kansas City business community, often mentoring entrepreneurs in the area. Scott Robinson President FarmLink As FarmLink s President, Scott is focused on advancing data science solutions to enable public and private sector innovation for agriculture and natural resources. With deep experience in commodities, technology and analytics, he helps ensure that FarmLink stays focused on its mission of providing stakeholders with advanced analytics in support of modern practices, innovation and sustainability. He leads a team of managers, data scientists and business analysts who can help clients solve challenging problems that are impacting food security, the environment and profitability. His career has spanned 30 years in financial services and commodities focused on growth strategies, acquisitions, data analytics and technological innovation. Most recently, he was a Senior Partner at Oliver Wyman, a known leader in benchmarking, and was responsible for their North American Corporate Finance and Advisory practice. Scott was also a member of the management team at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) where he led strategy and acquisitions during a period of growth from $3.5B to more than $8.5B in market capitalization. Before and after working for the CME, he was a Partner and Senior Advisor at McKinsey & Company, serving in various practice groups, including the Business Technology Office. Early in his career he worked for Reuters, Dow Jones/Telerate and NeXT Computer. Scott received his Bachelor s degree in Economics from San Diego State University.
Jeff Dema President, Grower Services Jeff Dema serves as the President of Grower Services for FarmLink where he leads efforts to help farmers and their advisors identify ways to improve productivity and increase profitability through the company s combine leasing, equipment sharing and data analytics platforms. Jeff has more than 25 years of business and leadership experience that he leverages to drive FarmLink s efforts to transform agriculture, including leading strategic development, improving operational efficiencies and capabilities, and developing highly engaged teams. As President of Grower Services, Jeff leads all customer engagement efforts, sales, marketing and business operations for MachineryLink. In addition, he leads sales, marketing and operations for FarmLink s advanced analytics solutions. Prior to joining FarmLink, Jeff served in numerous leadership roles for Hallmark Cards, Inc., during his almost 20 years with the company. Most recently, he led Hallmark s largest operating facility as the General Manager of Distribution. Jeff previously worked in operations management at General Electric. He began his professional career as an officer in the U.S. Army where he served as a captain with the 101st Airborne Division. He received his Bachelor s degree in Business Administration and Economics from Pittsburg State University and an MBA from Vanderbilt University where he graduated with distinction. Bob McClure Chief Data Scientist Bob serves as FarmLink s Chief Data Scientist, leading the company s advanced data analytics programs and the TrueHarvest development team. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience developing and leading data analysis platforms, Bob is the architect who brings FarmLink s advanced data concepts to life. Since joining FarmLink in 2011, Bob has helped the company bring advanced data technology, including machine learning and the first benchmark, to agriculture in an effort to help make agriculture more productive, profitable and sustainable for everyone involved in the food chain. Prior to joining FarmLink, Bob served as Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Mirant Corporation in Atlanta. As the CIO for one of the largest commercial energy operations in the United States, Bob led development of global technology infrastructure and analytics, designing and implementing an industryleading risk management system that was the foundation for Mirant s global power plant operations. In addition, Bob was the Senior Officer at Mirant responsible for the North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection (NERC CIP) compliance program, which ensures the security of electronically exchanged data supporting power grid reliability. He also served on the company s Model and Risk Oversight Committees. Today, Bob draws on this critical infrastructure security expertise as he and his team develop industry-leading data capabilities for agriculture to ensure the ongoing safety and security of information. Bob earned a Bachelor s degree in Business Administration in Management Science from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Georgia Southern University. Jeff Elliott Chief Financial Officer
As the Chief Financial Officer, Jeff Elliott oversees FarmLink s financial position to ensure continued successful expansion of product offerings that serve the evolving and growing needs of farmers and their partners. Jeff has more than 28 years of finance experience, most recently serving as Vice President, Finance at SprintNextel where his responsibilities spanned audit, operations finance and M&A activity. Prior to SprintNextel, Jeff held positions in the audit and accounting departments at Pizza Hut and at Price Waterhouse. Jeff was recognized by the Kansas City Business Journal as CFO of the Year in the small company category in 2012. Jeff graduated from the University of Kansas with highest distinction honors earning a Bachelor s degree in Accounting and Business Administration. He also was selected to participate in Georgetown University s Strategic Business Leadership program sponsored by Sprint for its 30 top performing vice presidents. Jennifer Goldston Vice President of Communications Jennifer Goldston is the Vice President of Communications, spearheading the company s overarching communications strategy as it continues to transform agriculture through innovation, technology and advanced data analytics. In her position, Jennifer draws on more than 20 years of experience in public affairs, marketing and communications, and a passion for the opportunity that agriculture technology presents to help ensure global food security in a sustainable manner. Prior to joining FarmLink, Jennifer led communications in Africa, Asia and Europe for DuPont Pioneer. She joined Pioneer in 2010 to lead its global public affairs team and helped shape DuPont s global food security initiatives. While in this role, Jennifer served as DuPont s Food & Agriculture business communications lead to help build the company s reputation across the key segment. Jennifer was fortunate to talk with farmers around the world about their need for innovation and access to new technology and then work directly with policy makers to help ensure global food security. Previously, Jennifer served as general manager and senior partner of Fleishman Hillard s Kansas City office and as manager of public relations for Ocean Spray Cranberries. Jennifer holds a Bachelor s degree in Communication from Washington State University and a Master s degree in Integrated Marketing Communication from Northwestern University. Dan Alcazar Vice President - Marketing As the Vice President - Marketing, Dan leads FarmLink s strategy to reach farmers and their key partners to deliver innovative agricultural data platforms and financial solutions for improved productivity and profitability. In this role, Dan draws on more than 25 years of business leadership with three Fortune 500 companies, coupled with a passion for solving the need for improved financial performance across the agriculture industry through pioneering products and services. As the head of marketing, Dan understands how the agricultural landscape is evolving. He and his team identify new approaches to showcase the company s unique capabilities to all those involved in the grower ecosystem.
Prior to joining FarmLink in 2013, Dan directed the comprehensive marketing strategy for Sprint s consumer business, one of the largest wireless carriers in the United States. In his 10 years with the company, Dan led numerous marketing initiatives related to new and evolving offerings. Other relevant successes include Dan s leadership of the telephony vertical for SATMAP, a McKinsey Solution. As the CMO for Embarq, he led the team to develop the brand and launch the new company and its innovative technologies. Dan draws on these experiences as FarmLink s innovation pipeline continues to rapidly identify and deliver new offerings using advanced analytics and technology to help transform agriculture. Dan earned his Bachelor s Degree from Randolph-Macon College, and an MBA from the Babcock School of Business at Wake Forest. Ben Dye Vice President - Sales As Vice President - Sales for FarmLink, Ben leads efforts to deliver the latest financial solutions and data analysis in precision agriculture technology to farmers and their advisors. Drawing on more than 15 years of sales experience, Ben has demonstrated success building relationships with his customers by ensuring access to meaningful solutions. Ben and his team take a personal approach to customer engagement, meeting directly with farmers, agronomists and agriculture retailers to find actionable solutions to their challenges using FarmLink s suite of offerings. Prior to joining FarmLink in 2015, Ben was the Direct Sales Team Leader at Harrison Energy partners, a Trane Commercial Sales Office, where he experienced first-hand how to leverage data and analysis to create financial opportunities for clients. In his 10 years with the company, Ben led the entrepreneurial effort in building revenue for a new Energy Sales Division and partnered with strategic accounts on asset planning, sustainability plans, energy reduction and intelligent services. Ben has also worked in the factory automation field at Franklin Electrofluid Company as a controls sales engineer. Ben holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Arkansas, and a Master s in Business Administration from University of Arkansas, Walton College of Business. Ben also helps oversee his family s farm operations in Arkansas. Randy Barker Managing Director, Business Development Randy Barker serves as a Managing Director of Business Development, helping guide FarmLink s innovation of new tools for farmers and their advisors to dramatically increase productivity and profitability of each acre. Drawing on his extensive background in agricultural business and technology, Randy s expertise and creativity have been instrumental in identifying new opportunities to bring data analytics and technology to public and private organizations across the food system. Prior to joining FarmLink in 2014, Randy spent nearly 10 years at Monsanto where he served as Global Customer Experience Lead, creating and leading the company s global platforms for Roundup Ready PLUS Weed Management and Acceleron Seed Treatment. He previously served as Seed and Traits Business Manager and Vice President of Chemistry for Monsanto Canada. Randy also worked as Business Director for Agricore United, an ag-input retailer. Randy holds a Bachelor s degree in Agricultural Economics from Lethbridge University and an MBA from the University of Guelph.