Matt Wolters
Job Description
I am the Marketing Manager and QuickDraw Product Line Manager for SureFire Ag in Atwood, Kansas. In the marketing arena I do all of our advertising, and brochure development and some of our online marketing. From a product stand point, we have a product we call our QuickDraw automated spray tender system and I take care of everything relevant to that product line. That includes working with and training our sales staff, working on product development with our engineering group, identifying what are the next steps in product development and figuring out where to go next with the product.
Describe the company you work for
SureFire Ag is an employee owned company that was started almost 10 years ago in August of 2007, myself and two other original partners started the company. We are focused on fertilizer application technology and equipment for applying fertilizer. In addition to that we are starting to branch out into some other product lines like the QuickDraw automated spray tender systems and fertilizer application through pivot irrigation systems as well.
Education/Major
I received my bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University and majored in agricultural economics.
Most beneficial class
It’s tough to say one in particular but one class that was very beneficial was not an ag economics class but actually an ag communications class. It was Ag Comm 400–essentially a communications class for non-communications majors that really focused on communications and the concepts of what you need to do in a business environment to effectively communicate and write. That’s a class that sticks out in my mind as one that is very beneficial.
Class they wish they would have taken
I really enjoyed my agricultural economics classes and that’s why I stayed with that major but relative to what we do at SureFire Ag, we have an engineering group and we do a lot of engineering work and product development and technology development. I wish I had pursuing some more technical classes as compared to agricultural economics. Over in engineering there’s days that skill wise, relative to drawing parts or drafting parts, I think skills like that would not just be beneficial but also something that I would really enjoy.
Career Path
I graduated from K-State in the spring of 2003 and spent a year immediately after working for the fraternity that I was a part of, traveling and visiting different chapters throughout the country. And then once I wrapped that up I went to work for a company in Atwood called the J.D. Skiles Company. They were in the fertilizer equipment business and I was there for two and half years and the gentleman that was my sales manager there along with myself and my brother Josh teamed up in order to start SureFire Ag.
Piece of advice for college students
There are tons of opportunities out there to get involved and find career opportunities in agriculture if you look for them. It’s very easy to only view the world of agriculture in terms of what you see in the 30 by 30 mile area where you grew up and the reality of it is that the world of agriculture is so broad and diverse. At SureFire Ag, we work across the country and a lot of the work we do within row crop agriculture and even just within corn production, production methods are far different in Kansas as they are in the Pacific Northwest or in upstate New York. So even just in the one commodity, its vastly different as you move across the U.S. If you broaden that out beyond just a single commodity there’s crops that we don’t even grow in Kansas and all of them are still within the context of agriculture.
Jenny Pickett
Major:
I graduated from Creighton University with dual degrees in journalism and advertising with a minor in marketing.
Job Overview:
I serve as the CEO/executive director of NAMA, which is a nonprofit organization that exists to enhance member’s professional growth in agri-marketing and to promote agribusiness as a career. I execute the volunteer leadership plan, program content, recruit new members, and plan the annual meeting. I create the leadership development programs and ensure they run smoothly. I am also in charge of the NAMA foundation, which is the foundation for scholarships, and collegiate programming’s. NAMA is responsible for National AG day and I lead the efforts for that event.
Looking back, which class do you believe was the most beneficial to your current career?
I believe my journalism classes were most beneficial as I was able to practice and perfect my writing and editing skills. These skills may seem basic, but everyone needs these skills. I, in fact, still use my AP style book quite often.
Are there any classes that you wish you would have taken? What are they?
I wish I would have gone deeper into marketing. I would have liked to learn more about the strategy and strategic planning of marketing. I think this skill could serve anyone well and be applicable in any area of marketing.
Tell me a little about how you “landed” your current job and the career pathway that led to it.
After completing my degree at Creighton University, I worked for an advertising agency in Omaha. While there, I was assigned to an agricultural chemical client. I did not come from an agricultural background and had to quickly learn the ropes. I then worked for an ad agency in Kansas City where I was again assigned agricultural-based clientele, one being animal health and the other being a chemical company. After three ad agencies, I realized how stressful working in these environments can be. I was a part of NAMA as a student and knew what the organization was about and quickly applied when a job opening became available. In my position I can stay connected to ad agencies and be a part of the excitement and creativity without enduring the stress of a client-based organization.
What does an average day look like for you? What time do you get to work? Make it home? Any weekend work?
As an early riser, I get to work typically around 7:30. A lot of my work consists of conference calls, meetings, NAMA chapter visits and industry meetings. I am traveling more and more every year attending industry conferences such as the Commodity Classic, NCBA and the ag media summit. While traveling, I am often taking on a sales role that consists of networking with leaders, and potential members, raising sponsorship funds and finding volunteers.
Are there things that you wish you had known about your career path/current job before pursuing or accepting your current position?
When I was younger, it was often difficult to see past the immediate situation or not second guess myself if I was on the correct pathway. When I felt security in my career it was easy for me to think that I should stay in that position, but it is important to remember that I need to continue to grow.
Kacey Toews
Job Description:
Every day is different, but my main responsibilities include establishing client relationships, delivering exceptional customer service and promoting additional service offerings to my clients. We have a wide range of Talent Solutions products so establishing relationships and identifying each customer unique needs are an important part of my role. I strive to help promote a new realm of careers and move the industry forward. Our clients at AgCareers.com trust us to deliver the next innovative solution for their talent needs.
Education/Major:
I attended Fort Hays State University and received my Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a minor in Communications.
Most Beneficial Class:
I would say that my organizational communication class has been my most beneficial class. It helped me learn how to communicate with those of different personalities and backgrounds.
Class they wish they would have taken:
I wish I would have been able to take more leadership classes. I feel that a minor in leadership would have been very beneficial. Agricultural majors are based on more technical classes rather than how to work with others and communicate with them. I have found in the business world, you have to be able to work with a realm of different people that come from other cultures along with different time zones, and it is important to know how to lead those conversations.
Career Path:
My focus was to do something within Ag Communications. I was heavily involved in Sigma Alpha Agriculture Sorority, and I was the recruitment chair. I graduated from college in December of 2016 and started with Triumph Foods January of 2017 as their HR specialist. Even though I never thought about going into HR I now realize how much that experience truly taught me. Within my year with Triumph Foods I made many connections, one of which was through Ag Careers. A sales position with Ag Careers came about, and at that time I was worried about taking on a sales roll, considering I did not have much experience with that. I have wanted to work for Ag Careers since college and with all my experiences combined, I knew this position would be something new and potentially a great fit. I have now been working for AgCareers.com as the Talent Solutions Sales Specialist since February 2018 and I absolutely love it. Networking really paid off and I have learned to not be afraid to jump into something that is a little out of your comfort zone!
What does an average day look like to you?
I get into work at 7am and will leave the office around 4pm Mon-Fri. I do not work weekends unless I am traveling. I usually attend many events as I try to be very present within our industry along with our customers. I also am traveling to many campuses and making campus visits as often as I can!
Are there things that you wish you had known about your career path/current job before pursuing or accepting your current position?
Looking back, I now realize how one-track-minded I was. If I were able to go back, I would tell myself to be more open minded and to try new things that maybe were a little out of my comfort zone.