Jim, a third-generation seedsman, is the president of Gro Alliance, the largest independently-owned contract corn and soybean seed production company in North America. The company is also a leader in custom corn breeding and seed corn nursery services. Having worked for corporate public relations firms in Minneapolis, Chicago and Atlanta after growing up in the family seed business, Jim’s unique background and experience make him one of the seed industry’s leaders in innovation. Jim was honored as the 2009 recipient of Seed World magazine’s “Future Giant” and served as the regional vice president to Canada for the executive board of the American Seed Trade Association and Canadian Seed Trade Association from 2009-2015 and again from 2017 to present. Jim also served as the chair of the non-profit, Seed Programs International from 2012-2016. Jim has a BA in public relations from the University of Minnesota and an MS in seed technology and business from Iowa State.