Education
Ph.D. in Crop Science/Maize Breeding, G.P.A. 4.0, (under Dr. Major Goodman)
1988-1991 North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Thesis: Adaptation of tropical maize to temperate zones
M.S. in Crop Science/Small Grains Breeding, G.P.A. 3.9 (under Dr. Paul Murphy)
1986-1988 North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Thesis: Heritability of oat mosaic virus resistance
B.S. in Agronomy, G.P.A. 3.7 (with mentorship from Dr. Walter Fehr)
1982-1985 Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Certified Crop Advisor by American Society of Agronomy since 2001
Patents:
Northrup King/Syngenta Corn Inbreds: G07-NPFA7278, G06-NP2546, G06-NP2414, NPIJ7011Bt11/CRW604, G06-NP2405
Monsanto/Bayer: Methods for controlling plants pathogens using N-phosphonomethylglycine
Dow AgroSciences/Corteva: Inbreds: 7MMDX3062, 8MMDX4084, 8MMDE1039. Hybrids: 44677477, 81348591, 93677237, 42378034, 85919248. Others pending.
Work Experience:
Current Consulting Owner of CornDoc LLC
2018 Germplasm Discovery Corn Breeder, Corteva, Princeton, Indiana
Led Dow and Pioneer germplasm integration for southern US and managed a breeding project using international germplasm to develop commercial hybrids.
2010-2017 Corn Breeder/Regional Lead/Station Lead/Germplasm Lead, Dow AgroSciences, Mt. Vernon, Indiana
Led a strong breeding program, developed employees and managed station efficiently and on-budget, strengthened international germplasm exchange, incorporated new technologies, served as mentor for breeders, encouraging innovation and teamwork across the southern corn belt.
Developed multiple commercial hybrids using US and exotic germplasm
Regional Corn Breeding Research Leader for >110 day maturities
US lead for international germplasm exchange, including coordinating international nurseries
Extensive travel to evaluate germplasm in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.
Led US Germplasm Steering Team
Achievement in Crop Genetics and Technology for Pre-pollination iBreeding (Genomic Selection)
Achievement in Crop Genetics and Technology for successful effort to develop an inbred database
U.S. Research ST2 Safety Award for Corn Pollinating Video
Techne Award for successful commercial hybrids from international germplasm exchange
2000-2010 Technology Development Rep, Monsanto Company, Indiana and Kentucky
Worked closely with both sales and research in roles that encompassed product development, chemistry tech rep, seed agronomist, and research agronomist.
2009: Product Stewardship Award for South Africa Maize Pollination Issue management
2008: Growing Knowledge Award for best Sales Support Presentations
2007: Distinguished Development Award, highest Tech Development honor
2005: Master Sales Award, Indiana Sales Team
1991-2000 Corn Breeder/Station Manager, Northrup King/Novartis Seeds
Opened Henderson, Kentucky station and managed its growth into a successful research station with 3 Ph.D. breeders. Our mission: develop the best corn hybrids on the market from the southern corn belt to the Gulf Coast states
Multiple commercial hybrids, including one line still elite U.S. commercial in 2021 (NP2414)
2002: Henderson station promoted more hybrids into advanced testing than any other U.S. station
2001: Henderson inbred had highest yield of any line in Seedstocks
2000: Led “Building a Bridge Seminar,” bringing together genomic scientists and breeders
1999: planned and coordinated international research meeting in Orlando
1997-1999: led speed-to-market initiative for the Hybrid Development Team
1994-1998: initiated three marker-assisted selection projects, including MAS1 (1st in Company)
1995-1996: served on Research Information Systems Team, worke with programmers to develop new software for corn breeding programs
1992: Northrup King Presidential Award 1992 for outstanding customer focus
