INDIANAPOLIS (May 31, 2019) — AgriNovus Indiana, the state’s initiative to promote and accelerate the growth of the agbiosciences sector, announces two staffing additions to support its expanding talent-focused programming. Melissa Rekeweg will serve as senior director of talent and oversee the development of new agbioscience career discovery and talent pipeline initiatives.

“Adding to our team is a reflection of the continued momentum around the Indiana agbioscience sector,” said Beth Bechdol, president and CEO of AgriNovus Indiana. “Melissa’s unique background both in education and in agriculture perfectly complement her role in developing and launching AgriNovus’ transformational talent programs. These initiatives will ultimately create a greater pipeline of students interested in agbioscience careers and advance industry-relevant skill sets needed by agbioscience employers.”

Rekeweg has served in multiple leadership roles with the Indiana Department of Education as the Indiana FFA Executive Director, Perkins Specialist, and the Director of Secondary Career and Technical Education. During her career she also served as Vice President of Deposit Operations at Crossroads Bank, Deputy Director of Indiana State Department of Agriculture and most recently as the Education and Leadership Development Program Specialist with the Purdue University College of Agriculture.

Rekeweg graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural education. She has been a strong advocate for agriculture education and was awarded the Indiana Honorary State FFA Degree and the Indiana FFA Foundation’s Distinguished Service award. She serves on the AgrIInstitute Board of Directors and Purdue Extension Board in Boone County.

In addition, Claire Baney has joined as a summer intern to research agbioscience career pathways to promote to college students. Baney will be a sophomore at Purdue University and is double majoring in agricultural communications and agricultural economics. She was the Indiana State FFA President in 2017-18. Baney brings a fresh, Generation Z view to AgriNovus communication and promotion of innovative and tech-intensive agbioscience careers to students not familiar with agriculture.

About AgriNovus Indiana

AgriNovus Indiana is the state’s initiative focused on advancing the agbiosciences sector as a nationally recognized leader through education, research and talent development; strategic collaborations among corporations, industry associations, government and universities; the creation and support of new companies; and branding and targeted promotions to elevate the sector. AgriNovus Indiana is part of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), an effort dedicated to the region’s continued prosperity and growth. Contact AgriNovus Indiana to learn more.