I was raised on a 2,500-acre row-crop farm in Southeast Missouri. I began my career calling on the growers and retailers on the other end of the products I would later help launch, learning how purchase decisions actually get made at the farm gate.
At my core, I'm an idea guy. I'm genuinely curious about how new technology fits into real operations and real lives, and quick to start working the practical puzzle of grower adoption.
At Monsanto and later Bayer, I moved from field sales through national accounts and licensing into product management and launch leadership. Over twenty-two years, I led or significantly shaped more than fifteen product launches across eight crops.
Three biotech launches define the range. HarvXtra Alfalfa was the first reduced-lignin forage trait, requiring an entirely new quality case for dairy producers; the business grew to a $210M strategic divestiture. TruFlex Canola was a trait that had been stuck in regulatory delays for years. ThryvOn Technology was the first commercialized trait for Lygus control in cotton, with an avoidance effect against thrips.
At Valent North America, I led the Canadian business through 2x+ revenue growth across thirty brands: crop protection, biologicals, PGRs, and seed treatments.
I now work independently through Riley Consulting. Clients call when novel agricultural technology has the potential but needs an extra push from someone who has been on both sides of the farm gate. I work with a small number of clients at a time in commercialization strategy, investor diligence, and go-to-market design, and I'm currently taking on new engagements.
Based in St. Louis. Working across North America.
