To submit an announcement for Names in the News, please email it to Kristin Bakker at [email protected].

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BROCK GRAIN SYSTEMS, Milford, Ind. — Eric Werth has been named district manager. Werth will work with dealers in the western Corn Belt and Pacific Northwest regions of the U.S. to help them grow their businesses and increase their familiarity with the company's line of storage, handling, conditioning and structural products for grain.

CALYXT INC., Roseville, Minn. — Dr. Bobby Williams has been appointed director of gene editing. Williams will expand the innovation, product pipeline and trait discovery efforts and inform product advancement decisions. He was previously with Corteva Agriscience.

CANADIAN BIO-SYSTEMS INC., Calgary, Alb. — Jassen Jackman has joined the sales team. Jackman will support domestic and international producers and industry customers.

CHS INC., St. Paul, Minn. — Olivia Nelligan has been named executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective Jan. 29, 2020. Nelligan was previously with Inish Enterprises.

COBB-VANTRESS INC., Siloam Springs, Ark. — Dr. Mark Cooper has been appointed managing director of genetics to oversee the global genetic program. Cooper will be responsible for aligning the breeding program with its product strategy and developing a portfolio of products to meet global market needs. He was previously director of product testing.

DSM ANIMAL NUTRITION & HEALTH, Parsippany, N.J. — Dr. Sara Hough has joined the North America swine technical services team as regional technical services manager. Hough will provide field technical support and assist with research opportunities in swine health and nutrition. She was previously with Prestage Farms.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, Washington, D.C. — Kurt Thiede has been appointed regional administrator for Region 5. Thiede will oversee environmental protection efforts in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. He was most recently chief of staff to the regional administrator.

FAST GENETICS, Saskatoon, Sask. — Dr. Pius Mwansa has joined the company as geneticist. Mwansa will work in the Genetics & Research group to support customers and research and genetic improvement goals.

GROWERS EDGE FINANCIAL INC., Johnston, Iowa — Dan Cosgrove has been appointed chief executive officer. Cosgrove will drive growth by expanding partner networks, refining the product pipeline and further scaling the team. He was most recently chief strategy officer.

HELM AGRO US INC., Tampa, Fla. — Jeff Krieger has joined the company as regional sales manager for the east Corn Belt. Krieger will be responsible for crop protection product sales and supporting the distributor, retailer and grower networks in the states of Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. He was previously with Beck's Hybrids.

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY, Ames, Iowa — Daniel Thomson has been named chair of the department of animal science, effective April 6. Thomson is currently with Kansas State University.

KEMIN BIOFUELS, Des Moines, Iowa — Kenny Erdoes has been named vice president of corporate engineering.

Jim Kacmar has joined the company as senior field technical sales manager. Kacmar will focus on the portfolio of biofuel production aids, with an emphasis on cellulosic ethanol production. He was previously with Edeniq.

Dr. Ye Lao has been named vice president of worldwide research and development. Lao was most recently vice president of marketing for Kemin Animal Nutrition & Health--China.

Dr. Shweta Shah has been named scientific and regulatory affairs manager.

Matt Timm has been named plant manager.

KINCANNON & REED, Waynesboro, Va. — David Turner has been named president. Turner will lead the firm to expand the client base. He was most recently head of the Latin America team.

KING RANCH INSTITUTE FOR RANCH MANAGEMENT, Kingsville, Texas — Dr. Jason Sawyer has joined the institute as associate professor and research scientist. Sawyer will helm the applied research program with a focus on research to improve ranching systems and tackling challenges with innovative solutions. He was previously with the McGregor Research Center.

KPM ANALYTICS, Milford, Mass. — Brian Mitchell has joined the company as chief executive officer. Mitchell was previously with Spectro Scientific Inc.

ORGANIC FARMERS ASSN., Kutztown, Pa. — Patty Lovera has been named policy director. Lovera will work with the Policy Committee, facilitate the annual grassroots policy development process, build grassroots campaigns around key organic farmer policy priorities and ensure the participation of the organic voice in the development of the next farm bill. She was previously with Food & Water Watch.

PHYTOBIOTICS NORTH AMERICA, Cary, N.C. — Dr. Alexandre Zocche has been appointed managing director for North America. Zocche will accelerate the growth of the North American business and expand the North American team. He was previously with Elanco.

PUBLIC LANDS COUNCIL, Washington, D.C. — Kaitlynn Glover has joined the organization as executive director. Glover will serve as chief lobbyist for the organization, representing cattle and sheep producers in western states on resource issues affecting their operations. She was previously with the office of Sen. John Barrasso (R., Wyo.).

TONISITY, St. Joseph, Mo. — Chad Steinkamp has been promoted to general manager of USA operations. Steinkamp was most recently director of customer success and led the sales and service teams.

UNDERSTANDING AG LLC, Ft. Payne, Ala. — Walter Lynn Jr. has been appointed chief executive officer. Lynn will focus on critical administrative and fiduciary functions and develop strategies to expand the impact of regenerative agriculture.

U.S. WHEAT ASSOCIATES, Arlington, Va. — Shelbi Knisley has joined the organization as director of policy. Knisley will be responsible for leading trade policy and work in food aid and wheat breeding innovation. She was previously with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service.

VOLAC INC., Byron, Ill. — Heidi Jones has joined the company (formerly Ecosyl Products Inc.) as regional sales manager — western region. Jones will provide field support in sales and technical support for the forage inoculant products through existing distribution partners and will help grow the company's presence and branding in the region. She was previously with Furst-McNess.

ZINPRO CORP., Eden Prairie, Minn. — Sara Drake has joined the company as senior graphic design specialist. Drake will support global marketing initiatives and promote animal nutrition products and business solutions.

Kelly Morrison has joined the company as global digital marketing specialist. Morrison will support global marketing initiatives and promote animal nutrition products and business solutions.

Rob Sheffer has been promoted to president and chief executive officer. Sheffer will be responsible for overall management and leadership of the organization. He was most recently president.