AMSEED - AMERICAN SEED TRADE ASSOCIATION

Organizing Committee

	Liz Pestow, Customer Service Manager for ICIA, is in her fourth year serving as a member of the FuSE organizing committee and is the current Sponsorship Committee Chair. Liz is a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in marketing and has worked in the automotive and healthcare industries before joining ICIA in 2007. In addition to supporting client relationships and new business development she keeps busy with her family; husband Luke, 7 year old son Ethan, 5 year old daughter Abby, and one 2 year old daughter Fiona. When Liz has some free time, she enjoys watching/coaching/playing sports, running, music, reading and especially cooking.	TJ Strachota is another new member of the FuSE Organizing Committee. TJ has worked as a Marketing Associate for his family business, Dairyland Seed since 2004. In addition to working, TJ enjoys waterskiing, playing softball, and following Notre Dame Football.

	Cassie Misch, Licensing Executive at JGL, a soybean and wheat genetic provider supplying the seed industry with elite genetics. After graduating with an Agronomy degree from Purdue University, Cassie joined JGL in 2008 and began attending FuSE events right away-and is so glad she did! From attending FuSE events to organizing them, Cassie enjoys spending time with others who are also new to the seed industry and learning the business together. Cassie currently serves as chair of the 2011 Campus Connections program, which is FuSE’s main yearly event connecting undergraduate juniors with seed industry executives at ASTA’s Annual Convention. Cassie takes pride in knowing that the FuSE program played a part in helping a student make lifelong connections within the seed industry.	Paige Collette, communications manager for the publishers of Seed World, Issues Ink, is currently serving as the FuSE Communications Committee Chair. Her commitment to the craft of communications combined with a fanatic commitment to organization and administrative “perfection” have enabled her to be responsible for both FuSE and Issues Ink’s communications efforts and marketing initiatives. In addition to overseeing the marketing department and maintaining client relationships, Paige enjoys renovating her new home and entertaining family and friends.

	Peter Bratney is the current Chairman of the FuSE Organizing Committee. Peter joined FuSE in 2009, and served as the Campus Connections Chair for the 2010 ASTA Annual Convention in San Antonio, TX. Peter is a graduate of Boston College and the University of Iowa College of Law. After working in private practice for a number of years, Peter became the third generation to join his family business—Bratney Companies, in Des Moines, IA—where he currently works as Director of Administration and Risk. Peter’s involvement in FuSE has provided him the opportunity to learn more about all aspects of the seed world, as well as the chance to build great friendships with peers in the industry. Peter is a firm believer that involvement in FuSE is a great way for a young professional to build the foundation for a long and fulfilling career within the seed industry.	Ryan Betka is a Business Analyst with GreenLeaf Genetics in Omaha, Nebraska and has been with the company since 2009. Outside of work, Ryan serves an Advisor for Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and volunteers as a Big Brother. Ryan is a graduate of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln with majors in Accounting and Finance. He is also a CPA and a graduate of the Nebraska LEAD Program.

	Erica Seitzer is currently serving as the FuSE Round Table Discussion Group chair. The Round Table Discussions are moderated by senior industry members with the goal of educating Future Seed Executives on leadership and career development, and recent major events or happenings in the industry. Erica believes FuSE provides an excellent platform for young-professionals to learn, develop and engage in the seed industry, while building career-long relationships. Erica is a Government and Industry Relations Analyst for Pioneer-Hi Bred, a DuPont business and represents DuPont as a Senior Associate for the Global Harvest Initiative. She is a proud University of Minnesota alum, who enjoys watching Gopher sports, and spending time on her family’s farm in southern Minnesota.

FuSE Committee Members, 2010

JOIN OUR TEAM!

We have more ideas than time to implement them and we are actively seeking motivated individuals to assist us in supporting FuSE! To receive more information on FuSE, please email the committee at info@futureseedexecutives.com.