Food and agriculture: industries as unique as the people who lead them. And no one knows them like we do. We’re Kincannon & Reed, a global executive search firm exclusively serving organizations within the food and agriculture industries.
Our approach is different
With 40 years of experience across diverse international sectors, we know the caliber of leaders needed to shape a promising future for the food and agriculture industries.
We’ve sat in your chair.
Empty seats at your leadership table or ineffective executives hurt profits, morale, and market share. Our principals are well-networked, former industry executives who understand your priorities and the talent you seek. We advise you as a colleague or peer, rather than an outsider. Learn who we are.
Knowing your next leader is our job.
We are a team of search professionals serving clients focused on feeding the world and keeping it healthy. We leverage our deep industry knowledge, data, and connections to identify and place leaders with the right experiences, values, and cultural fit. Learn who we serve.
Providing search expertise and more
Our search professionals partner with you throughout the process. We ask questions, listen for understanding, and assess candidates from the informed perspective of former executives. We have a genuine interest in your organization’s next leader. Learn what we do.

You’re looking for an impact player. Start by meeting ours.
We are a team of search professionals who know the value of qualified leadership, diversity, and the important role we play in the future of the food and agriculture industries – our reputation proves it.
Serving clients who feed the world and keep it healthy.
We’re a firm with a focus – specializing in delivering leaders. Our clients from across the globe are all types and sizes of organizations. If food and agriculture are part of your business model, we have principals with experience and connections in your industry.
Executive Roles in Which We Specialize
Whether you’re looking for a CEO, research leader, marketing strategist or operations head, Kincannon & Reed’s executive level search experience spans diverse functional roles.

Executive search firm Kincannon & Reed has placed Dwight Ferguson as the new president and chief executive officer of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF), a non-profit public benefit corporation committed to leadership training and transformational learning experiences. The foundation operates the California Agricultural Leadership Program (CALP), a major leadership development program. Spearheading the assignment for
Waynesboro, VA-based executive search firm Kincannon & Reed has expanded with the addition of Jimmy Paulakuhn as managing director focusing on the talent acquisition needs of its animal agriculture clients. Based in North Carolina, Mr. Paulakuhn brings more than two decades of experience within these markets, including more than six years as director of commercial poultry operations
Waynesboro, VA-based executive search firm Kincannon & Reed has assisted the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) in the recruitment of John Lumpe as its new chief executive officer. He was selected from a deep pool of qualified candidates seeking the position. Managing director Carolyn Schubert led the assignment. “John Lumpe will be a tremendous asset to the
Executive recruitment firms have made a number of top leadership appointments in the past year, many focused on strategy, growth, branding efforts and operations. The latest: Waynesboro, VA-based executive search firm Kincannon & Reed named David Turner as its new president. “Having spent nearly a decade working with our team and processes around the world, we’re confident David
(November 2022) Alternative and specialty protein space veteran Kip Underwood joined Burcon NutraScience Corporation, a global leader in plant-based proteins and ingredients technologies, earlier this week. In his new role, Underwood is tasked with leading the continued growth of the company. Working closely with the board and senior leadership, he is responsible for the development
(November 2022) New Jersey based baking company Damascus Bakeries welcomed Vince Pietrantonio to the organization this week as its new Vice President of Process Engineering. A skilled operations leader, Pietrantonio brings more than two decades of experience in food processing and packaging. His previous roles have included plant management and project engineering, including responsibilities associated with
Leading mushroom producer, Highline Mushrooms, appoints sector expert Jose Cambon as the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer. With nine farm operations throughout Canada, Highline Mushrooms produces in the range of 100 million pounds of fresh and canned mushrooms each year. The company employs approximately 2000 across growing facilities and corporate offices. Reporting to the Board of Directors,
Highly experienced quality assurance leader Gabriela Rojas recently joined Terviva as the organization’s Director, Global Quality Assurance. In her new role with Terviva, Rojas is responsible for the development, implementation, and continued evaluation of the company’s quality assurance program. From raw materials to final product, Rojas will oversee all initiatives that relate to quality assurance
Food For Thought
Finding Resilience and Opportunity at WIA 2025
From Crisis to Clarity: Making Leadership a Strategic Priority in Ag
Employee Engagement: Why It Matters More Than Ever for Food & Ag Leaders
2025 Mid Year Global Talent Trends & Implications
Australia’s Executive Talent Crisis: Strategic Leadership in an Era of Scarcity
Is Your Executive Value Proposition Attracting Top Talent in Food & Agriculture?
The First 100 Days: Reframing Executive Onboarding to Accelerate Impact and Retention
Closing the Gap: Future-Proofing Leadership in Food & Ag
C-Suite Crisis: Why Finding the Right Leaders is Ag’s Biggest Challenge
Modern Milk, Modern Leadership: Why Talent is Dairy’s Next Competitive Edge
The AI-Powered Leader: Essential Strategies for the New Era
High Stakes, Fast Food: Leadership in QSR’s Complex Environment
Breaking New Ground: Insights in Building Food and Ag Leadership
Q1 Talent Trends & Implications for EMEA
Q1 Global Talent Trends & Implications
Beyond Innovation: Navigating A Shifting Agri-Food Landscape
Navigating Turbulence: Insights from the NGFA Annual Convention
Breaking Barriers: Empowering Women Leaders in Food and Agriculture
Authentic Leadership: A Catalyst for Success in the Evolving Dairy Industry
Year End Talent Trends & Implications for EMEA
Year End Global Talent Trends & Implications
Cultivating Change: The Essential Role of Leadership in Sustainable Agriculture
Driving Organizational Success: The Power of Communication and Collaboration
Elevating Your Leadership: The Power of Executive Search Partnerships
Unlocking Leadership Potential: The Value of Leadership Assessments
Driving Success: The Impact of Outside Board Directors
Mid Year EMEA Talent Trends & Implications
2024 Mid Year Talent Trends & Implications
Succession = Successful: The Importance of Succession Planning & Best Practices
Year End Global Talent Trends and Implications
The Impact of Purpose in Leadership
The ROI of Executive Coaching: Is it Worthwhile?
Inclusive Leadership: Three Actions for Successful Leaders
Human Capital Strategies of C-Suite Executives: The Future of Food and Ag
First Quarter Talent Trends and Implications
Optimism & Community Felt at Women In Ag summit
Future Food-Tech Event Highlights Sustainability, Scalability
Need for Adaptive Leadership, Innovative Solutions a Focus at World Agri-Tech Event
Five Talent Retention & Recruitment Strategies for Turbulent Times
Developing Leaders – The Role of an Executive Coach
To view all Kincannon & Reed Insights, please click here.
Case Studies:
Planting Seeds for Growth in a Biotech Leader
Blazing Trails for a Forestry Biotech Leader
High Profile Leader for A High Profile Enterprise
A Scientist vs. a Leader of Scientists
Finding a One-of-a-Kind Leader in a Vast Market
Searching the Seven Seas for Executive Talent
To view all Kincannon & Reed Case Studies, please click here.