AgriNovus Names New CEO
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe chief executive officer of one of the biggest John Deere dealerships in Indiana has been named as the next president and CEO of AgriNovus Indiana.
The agbiosciences initiative has announced Mitch Frazier will take the reins starting June 29. Frazier is currently CEO of Reynolds Farm Equipment in Fishers.
“Indiana is home to an incredible environment, incredible ecosystem, incredible economy of ag, of academia, of innovators,” said Frazier.
Frazier succeeds Beth Bechdol who was confirmed in December to be the Deputy Director General of Food and Agriculture Organization, an agency of the United Nations.
Bechdol’s new position took her to Rome, Italy.
“Beth has done an amazing job,” Frazier said. “The opportunity now for us is take that and say, ‘here’s the foundation we have, what do we do to build on it?”
Frazier said he wants to focus on two areas: to accelerate innovation across the ag biosciences ecosystem and how to create an infrastructure within Indiana to make sure investment opportunities are available.
Aaron Schacht, executive vice president of Innovation, Regulatory & Business Development at Elanco, has served as interim president and CEO during the search for Bechdol’s replacement.
“Mitch brings to AgriNovus Indiana vision, enthusiasm and expertise to build upon the team’s success to date and will help amplify the organization’s mission of growing the agbiosciences sector and its impact in Indiana and beyond,” said Schacht.
Prior to Reynolds, he served as vice president of marketing at TinderBox. He led media relations for Governor Mitch Daniels’ team at the Indiana Economic Development Corp. and served as a civilian public affairs officer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
“They key fact is Indiana is at the epicenter of innovation in ag and tech,” said Frazier. “The opportunity is ours to make sure we do everything we can to fuel innovation, accelerate the economy, and most importantly, feed the world.”
In an interview with Inside INdiana Business, Frazier says Indiana will lead the way in ag innovation and investment.