Key Leadership Appointments:
GROWMARK has announced four key appointments to its Executive Leadership Team, effective January 2, 2025:
- Brad Drake as Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
- Jeff Lynch as Executive Vice President, Retail Business
- Matt Lurkins as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Grain
- Karmy Kays as Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
These appointments follow the upcoming retirements of Wade Mittelstadt, Barry Schmidt, and Bill Covey, who collectively contributed over 100 years of leadership to GROWMARK.
Leadership Roles and Responsibilities:
- Brad Drake will oversee GROWMARK’s wholesale business, logistics, and marketing functions as Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. Joining GROWMARK in 2008, Brad has held leadership roles in Finance, IT, and Crop Protection. He currently serves as Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, shaping financial strategy. Brad holds an MBA in finance from Illinois State University and is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Management Accountant.
- Jeff Lynch will lead GROWMARK’s eight retail divisions as Executive Vice President, Retail Business. With GROWMARK since 2004, Jeff has contributed to Agronomy, Grain, and Retail Business. As Vice President, Retail Business & Strategic Relationship Lead, he directed Iowa’s growth strategy. He holds an MBA from the University of Illinois.
- Matt Lurkins will serve as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Grain. Matt will oversee GROWMARK’s legal functions and grain strategy. Since joining GROWMARK in 2012 as Senior Staff Attorney, he has taken on roles such as Executive Director of Acquisition/Business Development. Matt holds a Juris Doctor degree from Southern Illinois University.
- Karmy Kays will assume the role of Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, leading Finance and IT divisions. With over a decade at GROWMARK, Karmy’s recent role as Treasurer included oversight of corporate funds, budgets, and risk management. She holds an MBA from Illinois State University.
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