New directors are from Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation and Ivy Tech Community College; North American seed leader, AgReliant Genetics, joins Innovation Council

INDIANAPOLIS (January 29, 2019) — AgriNovus Indiana, the state’s initiative to promote and accelerate the growth of the agbiosciences sector, has added two new members to its board of directors:

• Alan Tio, CEO, Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation
• Chris Lowery, senior vice president, Workforce Alignment for Ivy Tech Community College

“The addition of these leaders to the AgriNovus Board of Directors exemplifies the commitment of local economic development organizations and our educational institutions to growing the Indiana agbioscience sector,” said Beth Bechdol, president and CEO of AgriNovus Indiana. “An economic development initiative from northeast Indiana recognizes the critical strategic opportunities to grow business and talent in its local communities. And, we welcome an outstanding new representative from one of our founding investors and partners, Ivy Tech.”

“An economic development initiative from northeast Indiana recognizes the critical strategic opportunities to grow business and talent in its local communities. And, we welcome an outstanding new representative from one of our founding investors and partners, Ivy Tech.”

Alan Tio is the CEO of the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCo). In this role, he leads the community’s efforts to promote economic growth throughout Kosciusko County. KEDCo is the non-profit full-service economic development organization serving the county. It is supported by the County of Kosciusko, City of Warsaw, towns of the county and private sector members, including several agbioscience businesses. Tio received his bachelor’s degree in international studies from Miami University and a master’s degree in public affairs from Indiana University.

Chris Lowery is senior vice president of workforce alignment for Ivy Tech Community College and serves as the new board representative to AgriNovus. Prior to this role, Lowery served as chancellor for the Columbus/Southeast Region of Ivy Tech. Over the course of his career, he has worked for Hillenbrand, Inc., the Association of Indiana Counties, and was an aide to former Indiana Governor Robert D. Orr and Senator Dan Quayle. Lowery chairs the Career Coaching and Navigation Action Team for Governor Eric Holcomb’s Workforce Cabinet and is chair of the Board of Trustees of the Sagamore Institute think tank. He received his master’s degree in management from Indiana Wesleyan University and a bachelor’s degree in public affairs from Indiana University.

AgReliant Genetics also joins AgriNovus as an Innovation Council member. AgReliant Genetics, the third largest corn seed company in the U.S., is as a leader in seed research, production and quality. Headquartered in Westfield, AgReliant Genetics has products and services for growers across a multitude of geographies, with production locations the Midwest and 13 research facilities across North America. The Innovation Council serves as a technical advisory committee and plays a critical role in AgriNovus initiative planning and program execution.

AgriNovus Indiana is a strategic initiative that is guided by an Executive Committee and Board of Directors comprised of stakeholders from business, university, community and government leaders across Indiana’s diverse food and agricultural sector. AgriNovus Indiana’s board of directors serves as advocates for the initiative to other community and industry representatives.

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.

Contact: Libby Fritz | 574-595-5154 | lfritz@agrinovusindiana.com