Meristem Crop Performance has tapped agribusiness veteran Dan Hennessy as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
With a strong track record in finance, data analytics and operations management, Hennessy will play a key role in Meristem’s mission to build the most efficient platform for farm business success and accelerate innovation.
“Dan is known for bringing powerful, straightforward solutions for scaling up to handle business growth, and that’s critical to seeing more farmers benefit from the innovation we are bringing to the marketplace,” Meristem founder and CEO Mitch Eviston said in a news release. “We are excited he’s joined our all-star team of proven agribusiness leaders helping farmers earn more from every acre they farm.”
Hennessy brings 18 years of leadership at Land O’Lakes, Inc., where he spearheaded initiatives in crop protection, turf products, and animal nutrition. He also spent four years in Africa, serving as CFO and later CEO of Villa Crop Protection, South Africa’s top crop protection company, and as CEO of Bidco Land O’Lakes, a startup animal feed business in Kenya.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with and learn from some extraordinary people all over the world,” says Hennessy. “We have a massive opportunity to leverage global insights, especially in biologicals, and help accelerate innovation and performance for our farmers and dealers.”
Growing up in a North Dakota farm community, Hennessy’s career path led him through finance roles at Honeywell and a consumer electronics company before returning to his agricultural roots. He holds a marketing degree from the University of Northwestern in St. Paul and an MBA in finance from the Opus College of Business at the University of St. Thomas.
A Mission to Strengthen Farmers’ Bottom Lines
The news release stated Hennessy is focused on reducing waste in the distribution system and ensuring farmers get the most value from every input.
“It’s clear to me that Meristem has built a high-performance company that is laser-focused on farmer success, and that’s what it’s all about,” Hennessy said in the release. “I’m eager to leverage my skill in financial management and what I’ve learned about data analytics and customer engagement to grow the business.”
Hennessy and his wife Rochelle, married nearly 20 years, reside in Blaine, Minnesota, with their two children and a house full of pets — including two Great Danes, a cocker spaniel, three cats and a bearded dragon. “Yes, there are not many dull moments at our house,” he said.
Looking ahead, Hennessy said he is ready to roll up his sleeves. “I’m excited to help American farmers compete globally. With Meristem Crop Performance, I look forward to being part of a solution that will positively impact both growers and the Meristem dealer partner channel that serves them.”
The post Meristem Names New CFO appeared first on Seed World.