I am honored and excited to be joining Blue White Robotics as Director of Business Development in their highly motivated and dynamic team. We share a passion for enabling farmers to be more productive and profitable while directing a paradigm shift in agricultural sustainability. Blue White Robotic’s focus on the important production system of high-value permanent crops is fully aligned with the key industry dynamics of changing dietary patterns and the importance of food security.
My connection with agriculture began in the UK. After completing initial studies in agriculture, I achieved a Higher Technical Certificate in Agricultural Engineering at the Wiltshire College of Agriculture. I then joined a local John Deere dealer as a service technician. In 1986, I joined the John Deere Sales Branch as Area Service Manager, responsible for the southwest region of the UK. In 1989, I moved to the tractor factory in Mannheim, Germany, where I was responsible for customer support for the UK and France. I concluded my time in Mannheim as Divisional Marketing Manager for Waterloo Tractors. In 2007, my family and I moved to the John Deere Product Engineering Center in Waterloo, Iowa where I led the Global Tractor Platform Portfolio Development until August of 2020. I have had the privilege during my 35-year career with John Deere to travel widely and meet and learn from many customers. Those experiences helped shape my values of teamwork, inclusivity, integrity, and commitment that are shared by Blue White Robotics.
On a personal note, my wife Andrea is a musician and piano teacher. We have two sons. Joshua is completing his MSc in Sustainability and Environmental Studies at the University of Michigan, and Timothy is a sophomore at Iowa State University studying Industrial Design. We live in Janesville, Iowa, where we have a small farm, raising pedigree Katahdin sheep and growing corn, vegetables, honey, and chestnuts. We use regenerative farming practices to build soil health, and we are moving towards organic certification. When we aren’t tending to our farm, we enjoy premier league soccer, music, and being involved in our local church.
I am looking forward to this new assignment and to be working closely with the team as we coordinate additional partnerships, collaboration opportunities, and a comprehensive business development plan for Blue White Robotics. While I will remain in Iowa working remotely to continue my duties here, regular travel to California and beyond will be necessary as I meet with our team, partners, and customers in the pursuit of our vision.