Kincannon & Reed Assists Ag Alumni Seed Improvement Association with CEO Search
May 14, 2025 – Executive recruitment firm Kincannon & Reed, which exclusively focuses on food, agribusiness, and the related life sciences, has recruited Craig Anderson as the new CEO of the Agriculture Alumni Seed Improvement Association Inc. (Ag Alumni Seed). This transition follows more than a decade of strong collaboration between Purdue University and the leadership of Jay Hulbert, who served as the CEO of Ag Alumni Seed for 12 years. “Craig’s proven ability to unify teams, drive profitability, and navigate complex market dynamics makes him the ideal leader for Ag Alumni Seed’s next chapter,” said John Wright, managing partner. “His hands-on approach to operational excellence and passion for agricultural advancement align perfectly with the company’s vision.”
“Craig’s track record in specialty seeds and his commitment to collaborative leadership will accelerate Ag Alumni Seed’s ability to meet global demand while staying true to its research-driven roots,” said Aaron Locker, managing director.
“Craig Anderson has demonstrated his ability to continue the success of Ag Alumni Seed’s domestic and international popcorn research and sales initiatives,” said Marshall Martin, board chair of the Agricultural Alumni Seed Improvement Association. “His proven proficiency in the development and implementation of business strategy will be invaluable as we continue to grow.”
With over 35 years of experience in the seed industry, Mr. Anderson will work closely with existing international partners, explore opportunities for growth in global markets and provide strategic guidance to support Ag Alumni Seed’s talented team. He will also support development of improved genetics and oversee facility improvements to sustain organizational success in research and innovation.
Ag Alumni Seed’s strong ties to Purdue University are integral to its success. The organization invests residual returns in the College of Agriculture while benefiting from Purdue’s advanced infrastructure, including cutting-edge technology and research facilities like the Ag Alumni Seed Phenotyping Facility.
“Ag Alumni Seed is an important research partner for the college with a long history of collaboration,” said Bernie Engel, the Glenn W. Sample dean of Agriculture. “I’m excited to work with Craig in his new role as we build on Ag Alumni Seed’s successful foundation and look ahead to the next generation of innovation in crop production.”
Before joining Ag Alumni Seed, Mr. Anderson built an impressive career, starting as a sales manager with L. Herried Seed, a legacy company of AgReliant Genetics LLC. Over 32 years, he held various roles in sales, marketing and production, eventually becoming the chief operating officer of AgReliant Genetics. In 2021, Mr. Anderson moved to Dryland Genetics, a research-based agriculture startup focused on proso millet, where he served as COO.
Mr. Anderson was drawn to Ag Alumni Seed’s long-standing success and its reputation as a leader in the popcorn breeding industry. “Ag Alumni Seed has a strong popcorn breeding program that goes back many decades, so continuing this research is going to be critical,” he said. “Coming into a very successful company that’s already running quite nicely, I will focus on figuring out how I can best support the team and identify areas where we can invest time and energy to continue growing.”
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“I was excited about returning to an Indiana-based ag seed company, especially given the international scope of business,” Mr. Anderson said. “With the diverse market for popcorn and Ag Alumni Seed’s existing business partners across the globe, I saw this as a chance to dive into something new while staying within the seed industry.”
Serves Clients Throughout the World
Founded in 1981, Kincannon & Reed serves clients throughout the world from locations in the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. The firm is based in Arlington, VA. Kincannon & Reed’s mission is: “We recruit leaders for organizations that feed the world and keep it healthy.”
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Mr. Wright brings experience as an executive and entrepreneur focused on the crop inputs and production sectors. His network and connections throughout the industry are strong. Prior to K&R, Mr. Wright led organizations such as Agriliance LLC, Helm Fertilizer, and Keytrade North America, as well as being president, founder and co-owner of Solce Fertilizer Co.
Mr. Locker consults with clients on the recruitment and development of senior-level leadership and bring thirty years of experience assessing, hiring, and building teams for various firms across the agriculture industry. His career highlights include roles with Syngenta, FMC Corporation and Vivid Life Sciences.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
