Hometown: Keota, Iowa
Current employment/job title: Summit Agricultural Group, Alden, Iowa/Production Analyst
Describe your position: I help with the accounting, analytics, and risk management on our production teams. I work on budgeting and financial reporting and seek to improve our processes to be more efficient in all that we do. I also lead the accounting process of our emerging business units.
What do you like most about working for Summit?
I like the fast-paced, aggressive, and innovative culture at Summit. We definitely have our heart in traditional agriculture, but we aren’t afraid to look at cutting edge opportunities to maximize production and efficiency. I knew I wanted to be as closely linked to production agriculture as I could. Little did I think that I’d get traditional farming, farm management, and agricultural investment all in one.
How did you obtain your position?
I was an intern at Summit during the summer of 2014. I continued at Summit part-time during my senior year and master’s year, and then transitioned to full time in May of 2016.
How did an Ag Business major prepare you for your position?
In Ag Business at ISU, I was exposed to a broad range of agriculture opportunities and an even more diverse group of people, many of whom I am still connected to. The Ag Business curriculum is universally adaptable to any of your other interests or talents and adding minors or additional majors really accelerates your professional growth. My Accounting degree got me in the door, my Ag Business degree kept me in the chair.
Any advice for prospective students?
Show up. Work hard. Seize opportunities. Ask questions. Get involved. Travel. Smile.