Strong external partnerships are a key component to the success and innovation of AgNext, including leadership from our Industry Innovation Working Group.
This group provides input on strategic initiatives and programs, acts as a soundboard for new ideas and opportunities, promotes AgNext in the livestock community, helps recruit talent and elevates AgNext on a global scale.

Industry Leadership

Headshot of Steve Wooten

Beatty Canyon Ranch
Steve Wooten
President & CEO

Five Rivers
Mike Thoren
President & CEO

Headshot of Robbie LeValley

LeValley Ranches
Robbie LeValley
CFO

Headshot of Tom Portillo

Veterinary Research & Consulting, LLC
Tom Portillo
Associate Veterinarian 

Farm Credit Services of America
Marshall T. Hansen
Senior Vice President- AgriBusiness Capital

Aurora Organic Dairy 
Juan S. Velez
Chief Agricultural Officer 

Midwest PMS
Pete Anderson
Director of Research

RaboBank
Van E. Dewey
Executive Vice President

Empire Dairy
Britt Dinis
Owner and Operator



The Nature Conservancy
Nancy Labbe
Co-Director

 

Elanco
Michelle Calvo-Lorenzo
Chief Animal Welfare Officer
VanWinkle Ranch ​
Janie VanWinkle
Co-owner

Previous Industry Innovation Working Group Partners

JBS USA
Cameron Bruett
Head of Corporate Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer

711 Ranch
James Henderson
CEO

Headshot of Kim Brackett

Brackett Ranches
Kim Brackett
CEO

Harper Livestock
Mike Harper
President, CEO

Quail Ridge Dairy
Mary Kraft
CFO

Safeway / Albertsons
Cathy East
VP of Procurement Meat/Seafood/Deli

Beef Marketing Group
John Butler
CEO

Headshot of Del Miles

Veterinary Research & Consulting LLC
Del Miles
Founder