Key Takeaways:
- New Leadership: Dr. Chad W. Jennings has been appointed as Almanac’s Vice President of Product Management, bringing over 20 years of experience in data analytics.
- Background in Geospatial Technology: Jennings previously led geospatial advancements at Google Cloud’s BigQuery, enhancing its data capabilities.
- Agricultural Insight: With a personal background in agriculture, Jennings aims to apply data-driven insights to support sustainable farming practices.
- Focus on Growth: Almanac is expanding its real-time data capabilities, currently managing over 100 million acres globally, with plans to continue growing.
Dr. Chad W. Jennings Joins Almanac as VP of Product Management
Almanac, an agricultural intelligence platform, has announced the appointment of Dr. Chad W. Jennings as Vice President of Product Management. Jennings brings over two decades of experience in data analytics and geospatial technology, having previously served as Group Product Manager at Google Cloud. In his role at Almanac, Jennings will lead efforts to enhance the platform’s ability to provide actionable data insights for farmers, researchers, agronomists, and more.
“Chad is the perfect leader to drive our mission of advancing food intelligence through data and relationships,” stated Sumer Johal, CEO of Almanac. “His expertise in AI, geospatial analytics, and product management aligns well with our goals as we work to expand the platform’s capabilities in AgTech.”
Geospatial and Data Expertise
At Google, Jennings contributed significantly to BigQuery’s geospatial functions, making it the first hyperscale data warehouse to support these features. His work also included integrating Google Earth Engine with Google Cloud, enabling more advanced analytics in geospatial data.
Reflecting on the potential of data analytics in agriculture, Jennings noted that recent advancements in AI and cloud computing are opening up unprecedented opportunities for data-driven insights. “Now is the perfect time to bring AI-driven geospatial insights to millions of growers and billions of people,” he said.
A Personal Connection to Agriculture
Jennings’ connection to agriculture stems from his family’s century-old farm in New South Wales, Australia, giving him firsthand insight into the challenges and needs of growers. “I have deep respect for the life farmers choose—balancing tradition with the need to embrace modern technology,” said Jennings. He highlighted the growing importance of data solutions in addressing food security and the impact of climate change on agriculture.
Expanding Almanac’s Real-Time Data Capabilities
Under Jennings’ leadership, Almanac plans to continue its expansion, leveraging IoT, geospatial analytics, and AI to provide growers with real-time insights. Currently managing over 100 million acres globally, Almanac’s platform is designed to support precision agriculture by integrating data from a range of sources, including sensors, satellite imagery, and weather data.
