Conference Speakers

Day 2 - Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011

Shareholders Share Their Perspectives on Sustainability
9:00 – 12:30 PM         

Daren Coppock is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ARA, Daren Coppock leads a dedicated staff who work to ensure a profitable business environment for ARA members as their voice on legislative and regulatory issues considered in Washington, DC. ARA also provides additional value to members through a variety of educational and leadership training opportunities, a well-respected and informative annual conference, and regular updates on key legislative and regulatory issues. Prior to joining ARA, Coppock was the CEO of the National Association of Wheat Growers for over eight years. Other previous posts include five years as the Executive Vice President for the Oregon Wheat Growers League and another five years as the first full-time Administrator of the Oregon Grains Commission.  Daren holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University in Agricultural and Resource Economics.

Jonathan Kaplan is a Senior Policy Specialist with the National Risk Defense Council’s Health and Environment Program where he works to advance more sustainable food and agricultural systems. Current efforts include the development of metrics, standards and tools to promote more sustainable agricultural practices and he previously lead efforts to advance least toxic pest controls.  Prior to joining NRDC, Jonathan directed programs at San Francisco Baykeeper and Environment California, both non-profit advocacy organizations where he lead regulatory, legislative and public outreach initiatives to protect public health and the environment from pesticides and other pollutants. Jonathan also serves on numerous related boards and advisory groups. He received a Bachelor's degree from Cornell University and a Master's of Environmental Management degree at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. 

Adam H. Putnam was elected as Florida’s eleventh Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services in November 2010. Prior to his current election, Adam served in both the Florida House of Representatives and the United States Congress.  Throughout his Congressional career, Adam has been recognized as a leader on a variety of issues, most notably agriculture, food safety, childhood nutrition, energy and government efficiency.  As a member of the Farm Bill House-Senate Conference Committee, Adam helped bring major program reform to policies impacting Florida agriculture including specialty crop block grants and a new mandatory specialty crop initiative.  Leaders from both sides of the political aisle have applauded Adam's leadership on reforming our food safety laws.  Adam is a fifth generation cattle rancher and citrus grower from Polk County, FL. He is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Food and Resource Economics. 

Mac Carraway is the President of Florida based SMR Farms, LLC which has been a leader in environmental stewardship and water management. SMR Farms produces sod, improved turfgrasses, containerized and field-grown trees, premium Brangus and hybrid cattle, and citrus for both the juice and fresh-fruit markets. Mac came to SMR Farms in November 2004 after spending twelve years in large-scale agriculture and agricultural consulting, as well as commercial development and construction in Southwest Florida. In May 2005, he was appointed by then Florida Governor Jeb Bush to serve on the Southwest Florida Water Management District's Manasota Basin Board (SWFWMD). He was reappointed by Governor Charlie Crist in 2007. He is the current President of the Florida Turfgrass Association and represents the association on the SWFWMD Agricultural Advisory Committee.  Mac is a graduate of the Florida State University College of Business.

Bonus Session ~ The Tools to Make it Work!
2:30 – 4:00PM

Andres Ferreyra, Ph.D. has over 20 years of experience in technology research and development in the private sector and academia. He currently serves as Coordinator of Research and Development for Ag Connections, a crop management software solutions company.  Andres’ research interests include using mathematical techniques such as simulation models, nonlinear combinatorial optimization, and knowledge-based / artificial intelligence techniques to develop user-friendly tools to help growers solve problems.  He is responsible for laying down the groundwork for what would later become Hand.db, AgC Scout, and other spatial data handling tools. Andres graduated as an Electric and Electronic Engineer from the University of Córdoba in his native Argentina.

Kevin L. Pattison grew up on his family farm in Lemberg, Saskatchewan, Canada where he spent his youth working on the farm and family business, Pattison Bros Agro. He currently serves as President of Agri-Trend Data Corporation, an agricultural data management firm that delivers market-specific solutions to help agri-business partners, retailers and growers be more profitable.  Over the years Kevin has been the architect and developer on the entire MySCP and Agri-Data Solution platform, adding functionality and scalability to grow the application with Agri-Trend’s Business.  Kevin’s background in agriculture and experience from other projects has been a huge advantage in developing software for Agri-Trend.  Kevin lives in Calgary, Alberta Canada and attended the University of Calgary where he earned his Bachelors’ degree in Computer Science with a Minor in Business. 

Day 3 - Thursday, Nov. 31, 2011

Orvin Bontrager has worked for Servi-Tech, Inc. for 33 years as a crop specialist, division manager and now as education director. Since 1984 he has been responsible for consulting on 15,000 crop acres, supervising education and training programs for Servi-Tech crop service personnel, and managing several research projects. Orvin has CCA, CPAg, and CPCC-I certifications and a voting member of the National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants. Orvin was raised on a small-diversified farm in south central Kansas. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Kansas State University and a Master’s degree in range science/weed science from Texas A&M University.

Thomas J. Winninger is the founder of WINNINGER Resource Companies, Inc. a Minneapolis based group that provides products, services and technologies that drive market leadership based on differentiation. He is frequently referred to as America's Leading Market Strategist and the man who is reinventing the way companies differentiate themselves. His market strategies have been featured on CNBC, First Business, Boardroom Reports, Venture and Success Magazine and he is published in over 300 other trade journals, publications, and newspapers.  He is author of the bestselling books MarketQuake, Price Wars, Full Price and Sell Easy. His new book “BULLSEYE” Thinking Smart! share what market leaders are doing to consistently hit the mark. Thom is a recipient of the Cavett Award, the highest award given by members of the National Speakers Association which recognizes one person each year who gives back to the industry of his time, talent and gifts. In 1987 he was inducted into the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame.