Ken has been engaged in over 300 projects as a consultant for The Context Network over the past 12 years, after nearly 40 years of senior business management experience for four multi-national companies serving the global seed and crop protection markets.  Ken’s experience ranges from product and business P&L responsibility to market assessment and business model development to facilitation of competitive war games and strategic exercises to M&A support. 

Some of his key industry roles at Monsanto included VP of Global Corn Strategy, President of Corn States/Holden’s (licensing division), and COO of American Seeds, Inc.  Prior to Monsanto, Ken was VP Marketing for DEKALB and was the Corn Herbicide Business Lead for Sandoz Agro, among many other product/marketing/commercial leadership roles.

Josh has more than 15 years of diverse experience in the agricultural industry with roles in marketing, brand development, issues management and corporate communications. His background includes positions with DuPont Pioneer, Farm Bureau, Osborn Barr and GROWMARK. He has consulted on marketing plans and strategic communications campaigns for such brands as Merck Animal Health, The Maschhoffs, Monsanto, AGCO, United Soybean Board and USDA.

Jenn has over 20 years experience in corporate design as an art director carving paths to transform quantitative information into qualitative creative visuals.

Her focus has primarily been in corporate environments specializing in creating custom PowerPoint presentation templates with crafted visuals to enhance the data provided into a robust story.

She has detailed knowledge in subjects such as concept development, brand identity, logos, brochures, trade show displays, custom packaging, meeting collateral items, front end website design, and video editing. She is an ambitious designer that loves to be thrown a challenge.

Tyler has a diverse background in commercial and specialty agriculture that provides solid perspective when consulting and partnering with clients throughout the global value chain. Before joining Context Tyler worked in the grain industry, through commodity trading and elevator management roles. Tyler is known for bringing a pragmatic approach to problem solving and a personal touch to clients needs. Tyler has been with the firm since 2015 and supports projects in:

• Strategic planning and resource prioritization
• Market intelligence and insights
• Go-to-market and distribution approaches
• Acquisition and divestiture opportunities
• Ag technology value capture assessments
• Organizational design and structure
• Commodity supply and demand systems

Craig brings 25 years of hands on experience in the Midwest corn and soybean seed industry to The Context Network.  He has worked in various capacities with most major US seed players and is highly knowledgeable in many aspects of the business operations, environment and people involved in the industry.  His expertise spans the following areas:

• M&A due diligence
• Budgeting
• Supply management
• Sales and sales forecasting
• Market research
• Production planning
• Warehouse management, inventory control and quality control
• Contract drafting, negotiation, maintenance and relationship management
• IT Systems – design, implementation and management

Calvin provides business, market and financial analysis support to client projects across the ag value chain as an Analyst at Context. Project areas to date include inputs, animal ag, agtechand investments. His background is based in strategic management and finance concentrations with focus areas including financial forecasting, data analysis, competitive strategy and risk management. His work at Context has included:

Jennifer L. Garrett, Ph.D., has over 25 years of leadership and business experience in agriculture, food and nutrition. Dr. Garrett possesses a critical understanding of scientific, regulatory and policy issues across the food value chain. Her business background as a farmer, academic, trainer, scientist, business leader, and nutrition advocate brings a unique and practical perspective to help clients strategically navigate business opportunities from farm to table in the world of food. Jennifer uses her unique background to help clients with:

• Connecting farming, food and sustainability interests to help clients think differently and create new reasons to believe
• Influencing and interpreting farm, food and nutrition regulations and policy for unique selling propositions, Identifying nutrition and consumer research needs
• Developing strategic food and nutrition marketing and communications grounded in sound science
• Needs identification and development of food and nutrition influencer outreach strategies and plans
• Developing and facilitating workshops based on client needs (strategic planning, technical training, team development, etc.) to produce breakthrough results.