Elanco CEO, Jeff Simmons, joins organization’s executive committee

AgriNovus Indiana announced today additions and changes to its executive committee and board of directors.

The board unanimously approved the addition of Jeff Simmons, president and CEO of Elanco, to its executive committee as well as JoAnn Brouillette, operating partner at Lewis and Clark Agrifood, to its board of directors. Additionally, approval for the following seat changes to replace outgoing directors include:

• Bernie Engel – Glenn W. Sample dean of agriculture, Purdue University
• Vicki Gardner – vice president of marketing and communications, Wabash Valley Power Alliance

“Indiana’s agbioscience economy continues to experience record growth and strength thanks to the direction and support of the AgriNovus board of directors,” said Mitch Frazier, president and CEO of AgriNovus Indiana. “The addition of these experts to our Board brings even more leadership and industry context to our team as we work together to build the agbioscience economy of the future.”

Simmons serves as president and CEO of Elanco Animal Health (NYSE: ELAN), an independent, global animal health leader with the ability to reach the world’s animals. The Elanco team has established a unique innovation engine grounded in a higher purpose: Food and Companionship Enriching Life. Elanco’s Pet Health business is innovating effective products and therapeutic solutions for veterinarians helping pets live longer, healthier, more active lives. Elanco’s Farm Animal business focuses on helping farmers and veterinarians raise healthy livestock to make food safer. Elanco is also a pioneer within livestock sustainability and is developing and delivering a portfolio of new products and solutions designed to make a tangible, positive impact on reducing climate warming. As an advocate for animal agriculture, Simmons is active with HealthforAnimals (H4A) and FFA at the national levels. His board roles reflect his passions for food security with HATCH for Hunger, enabling leaders to thrive with Edge Mentoring and the human-animal bond with IU Health.

Brouillette has a long history in agriculture most recently serving as managing partner of Demeter Lp, a third generation, family owned agribusiness firm with grain facilities located throughout the Midwest.  Brouillette currently serves as operating partner for Lewis and Clark Agrifood, a late stage, growth equity fund focused in the agriculture and food technology sectors.  She was appointed by President George W. Bush to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiation for two terms and is the past chair of the National Grain and Feed Association and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.  Brouillette currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Purdue University and Kokomo Grain Company. 

Engel is the Glenn W. Sample dean of agriculture at Purdue University after previously serving as senior associate dean in the college. He was also department head of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Engel has received numerous recognitions from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ASABE) over the course of his career, including: Outstanding Young Researcher Award, 1999; ASABE Fellow, 2014; Gilley Academic Leadership Award, 2016; and the Hancor Soil and Water Conservation Engineering Award, 2019. He was also honored as the Purdue College of Agriculture’s Outstanding Researcher and Outstanding Graduate Educator, University Scholar and received Engineering’s Best Teacher Award. 

Gardner is the vice president of marketing and communications at Wabash Valley Power Alliance, leading the department while serving as a member of the Executive Team. She previously served as director of strategic communications for Hirons, where she developed comprehensive and cross-disciplinary plans to meet clients’ strategic objectives. Gardner was also director of communications for the city of Westfield and corporate communications manager for Cummins, and she was a reporter and news anchor for several television and radio stations throughout the Midwest.

The AgriNovus Indiana board of directors is comprised of leaders from industry, academia and government. All members are listed online at www.AgriNovusIndiana.com/Board.