Craig Anderson appointed as CEO of Ag Alumni Seed Improvement Association
Craig Anderson has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Agriculture Alumni Seed Improvement Association Inc. (Ag Alumni Seed), a move that brings over three decades of experience within the seed industry to the forefront of the organisation's operations. This transition is particularly noteworthy as it follows the successful leadership of Jay Hulbert, who had served as CEO for 12 years, fostering a decade of growth and strategic international partnerships that have solidified the company’s standing in the market.
Anderson's experience will be instrumental as he steps into his new role, where he will be tasked with working closely alongside existing international partners while seeking new growth opportunities in global markets. His responsibilities will also include providing strategic guidance to Ag Alumni Seed’s team and overseeing initiatives aimed at developing improved genetics. He has indicated that facility improvements will also be a vital part of his strategy to ensure the ongoing success of the organisation in research and innovation.
In an interview with Purdue Agriculture Communications, Anderson highlighted the importance of Ag Alumni Seed’s well-established popcorn breeding programme, stating, “Ag Alumni Seed has a strong popcorn breeding program that goes back many decades, so continuing this research is going to be critical.” He added that his focus will be on “figuring out how I can best support the team and identify areas where we can invest time and energy to continue growing,” signalling his intent to maintain the company’s successful trajectory while exploring new avenues for advancement.
The collaboration between Ag Alumni Seed and Purdue University plays a pivotal role in the company’s achievements. The institute benefits from the returns generated by Ag Alumni Seed, which are reinvested in the College of Agriculture, while the seed improvement association takes advantage of Purdue’s advanced research facilities, including the Ag Alumni Seed Phenotyping Facility. This relationship underlines the synergistic dynamics that drive growth and innovation in agricultural research initiatives.
Bernie Engel, the Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture at Purdue University, expressed enthusiasm about Anderson’s appointment, stating, “Ag Alumni Seed is an important research partner for the college with a long history of collaboration. I’m excited to work with Craig in his new role as we build on Ag Alumni Seed’s successful foundation and look ahead to the next generation of innovation in crop production.”
Anderson's return to an Indiana-based agricultural seed company was motivated by the organisation’s long-standing success and its reputation as a leader within the popcorn breeding sector. He remarked, “I was excited about returning to an Indiana-based ag seed company, especially given the international scope of business.” This sentiment reflects not only a personal connection but also an understanding of the diverse global market for popcorn, which is integral to Ag Alumni Seed’s operations.
His experience in unlocking potential within research and development teams is a key aspect of his career that Anderson is eager to bring to Ag Alumni Seed. “Craig Anderson has demonstrated his ability to continue the success of Ag Alumni Seed’s domestic and international popcorn research and sales initiatives,” noted Marshall Martin, board chair of the Agricultural Alumni Seed Improvement Association. He further emphasised that Anderson’s proficiency in developing and implementing effective business strategies will be invaluable as the organisation continues to expand.
Ag Alumni Seed, with its strong leadership and solid foundation, is now poised for continued growth and innovation under Anderson’s stewardship, marking a new chapter in its storied history within the seed industry.