Growmark Announces Executive Leadership Team Retirements and Appointments
Four new leaders are set to take over at Growmark in the new year.
- Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer: Brad Drake will replace Wade Mittelstadt in this role following Mittelstadt’s retirement. Drake has been with Growmark since 2008 and is currently the company’s executive vice president & chief financial officer.
- Executive Vice President, Retail Business: Jeff Lynch will assume this role as Barry Schmidt retires. Lynch has been with Growmark since 2004 and currently serves as vice president, retail business & strategic relationship lead.
- Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Grain: Matt Lurkins will take over from Bill Covey following Covey’s retirement. Lurkins has been with Growmark since 2012 and is currently vice president, grain & strategic relationships lead.
- Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer: Karmy Kays will step into this position, leading Growmark’s finance and IT divisions, following Drake’s promotion to executive vice president & chief operating officer. Kays currently holds the role of treasurer.
Advanced Agrilytics Names Kenny Avery as Chief Executive Officer
Advanced Agrilytics has appointed Kenny Avery as the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Avery is a retired CPA and previously served as president and CEO of Verdesian Life Sciences and held several key leadership positions at Monsanto.
Avery will oversee Advanced Agrilytics as it:
- Expands the footprint of its Grower Direct business and the variety of prescription products available through its proprietary Terraframing Suite software
- Begins offering managed services and licensing to industry partners such as independent agronomists and ag retailers
- Expands its research and analysis-based offerings portfolio
ZeaKal and Meherrin Ag Announce Collaboration
ZeaKal has entered into a collaboration with Meherrin Ag to advance its PhotoSeed technology, which enhances crops’ ability to capture carbon and sunlight. The addition of Meherrin expands services available to growers in ZeaKal’s target regions.
Meherrin aims to distribute ZeaKal-branded Soyleic - high oleic soybean seeds - to growers in time for the 2025 growing season. In 2026, growers will have the opportunity to grow PhotoSeed lines with enhanced photosynthetic capacity, higher nutritional density and a lower carbon intensity score.
“By partnering with ZeaKal, we will equip growers with a superior soybean product that delivers high protein and oil content, ensuring sustainability and profitability for the entire supply chain. We’re excited to bring a better bean to our growers,” said Jeff Middleton, district sales manager at Meherrin.
