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Foundation Board of Trustees
What does the Foundation Board of Trustees do?
It is the function of the Board of Trustees to advance and support the mission of the Fraternity and Foundation to include making planning and policy decisions, to be responsible for financing those decisions, to monitor implementation, and to promote goodwill and support for the Foundation and the Fraternity.
The Board of Trustees has no fewer than six Trustees, plus the Executive Director who serves as the Chief Executive Office and as Secretary-Treasurer, and is an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Board and of all committees of the Foundation. Trustees are elected for a term of three years, and no Trustee shall serve more than two consecutive terms.
The Board meets twice a year, plus at the biennial Conclave of the Fraternity. The Board is organized into two standing committees – Finance and Fund-Raising – which meets in conjunction with the Board meetings.
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Art Heggen, Chairman (IA '66)
Retired Executive Vice President - The Assurant Group
Email: abheggen@bellsouth.net
"As part of student life, the FarmHouse opportunity provided a great experience in leadership , group values and commitment to education which has served me well throughout my career. Those experiences and opportunities outside of the classroom immeasurably enrich the value of a college education . Now, serving on the Foundation's Board provides an opportunity for me to help ensure that similar benefits are afforded to today's FarmHouse members . The mission and goals of the Foundation are truly important and I encourage all to support it in any way you can."
BIOGRAPHY
Art is Executive Vice President for Assurant Solutions/ Assurant Specialty Property. Art is in charge of corporate planning for Assurant, in which he helps determine the corporate organizational structure and execute corporate reorganization transactions. He also oversees the corporate charitable giving program within their business unit. He is a certified public accountant (CPA), chartered property casualty underwriter (CPCU), fellow of the life management institute (FLMI), and associate in insurance accounting and finance (AIAF). He graduated from Iowa State in 1967 then served in the U.S. Marine Corps including service in Vietnam. Art is Chairman-Elect of the Foundation Board of Trustees and has served as a Trustee since 2003. Betty is a former Peace Corps volunteer and a retired instructor from Miami Dade Community College. They live in Miami and have a grown son, daughter, a granddaughter and a grandson. Art plans to retire in April 2008 to Sunny Isles Beach, Fla.
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Ryan Downs, Chairman-Elect(NE '88)
Vice President of Operations - eBay, Inc.
Email: rdowns@paypal.com
"FarmHouse has impacted my life more than any other organization with which I have been affiliated. Not only did FarmHouse keep me on the correct path academically, it provided a framework for social, emotional and spiritual growth and maturity. By surrounding me with outstanding men and a healthy environment, FarmHouse reinforced the values my parents instilled in me: integrity, decency, hard work and high achievement. In simple terms, FarmHouse gave me the tools to pursue my dreams. My decision to join the FarmHouse Foundation Board of Trustees is rooted in my desire to give back to the organization that gave so much to me. I believe that FarmHouse is a lifetime commitment, and I am doing a small part to fulfill that commitment. "
BIOGRAPHY
Ryan is Senior Vice President of Global Customer Service and Operations with eBay, Inc. His responsibilities include consumer support, merchant support, fraud operations and various other operational functions for eBay's ecommerce division, eBay Marketplaces, and its payments division, PayPal. eBay was founded in 1995 and is the world's largest ecommerce company with annual revenues of more than $7.5 billion per year. eBay acquired PayPal in 2002, about one year after Ryan started with the payments company. Today, Ryan is responsible for approximately 10,000 people in more than 20 locations who enable more than 250 million customers around the world to buy, sell and pay for goods and services. Prior to PayPal, Ryan was CEO of eTopia Technologies, Inc. and an attorney. Ryan graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1991 with a bachelor's degree in agriculture sciences. As an undergraduate, he was FarmHouse chapter president and recruitment chair. After graduation he attended Harvard Law School, where he earned a juris doctorate in 1994. Ryan's father (NE '61) and his brother Dale (NE '91) are both FarmHouse members. Ryan serves as a Foundation Trustee and on two other nonprofit boards. Ryan, his wife Valerie and their three young children live in Saratoga, Calif.
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Randal Linville (KS '73)
President - Scoular Company
Email: rlinvill@scoular.com
“Forty years ago when FarmHouse Foundation was established, Lyndon Johnson was president, the first Star Trek episode aired and a first class stamp cost just five cents. How far we've come and how many accomplishments we've had to celebrate since that time! It's difficult to believe that the 40th anniversary of the Foundation is already in our rearview mirror as we continue forward on or journey of “Building the Leaders of Tomorrow. As I look to the future and beginning of the next 40 years for the FarmHouse Foundation, I am truly excited about our plans and progress, and I am grateful for your support and commitment in joining me in our effort to be “Builders of Men.”
BIOGRAPHY
Randal L. Linville is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Scoular Company. He began serving in this position in 1999. Randy’s commitment to The Scoular Company began in 1984 when he joined the company as Merchandising Manager in Fresno, Calif. He was named Southern Region Manager in Kansas City in 1988. In 1992, Linville became Vice President of the company’s then newly-created Grain Marketing Division and was named President in 1996. A native of Holcomb, Kan., Randy earned a B.S. from Kansas State University (KSU) with dual degrees in Agricultural Economics and Business Finance in 1976 and an M.S. in Agricultural Economics in 1977. Upon graduation from KSU, he began his career in the grain industry as a merchandiser with Central Soya Company in Chattanooga, Tenn., and later relocated to Ft. Wayne, Ind. Randy began working for the Pillsbury Company in 1980 as the company’s Western U.S. Grain Merchant in Omaha, Neb. In 1982, he was named Senior Export Grain Merchant in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and in 1983, he was named Western Region Merchandising Manager. In addition to his executive and board responsibilities with Scoular, Randy is Chairman of the FarmHouse Foundation. Randy is past Chairman of the Commodity Markets Council (formerly known as the National Grain Trade Council); past President of the Transportation, Elevator and Grain Merchants Association (TEGMA); and a past member of the Customer Advisory Board of the BNSF Railway and of the National Grain and Feed Association’s Board of Directors. Randy resides in Leawood, Kan., with his wife Debbie and their two children, Grace and Jacob. They enjoy an active family life that includes serving as leaders in the Church of the Resurrection and frequent traveling nationally and internationally as a family.
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Jim Tobin (IA ’76)
Director of Biotech Business Development - Monsanto
Email: jim.p.tobin@monsanto.comfont>
“FarmHouse brothers influenced and encouraged my participation in a 4-H agricultural exchange with the Soviet Union that gave me a much broader view of agriculture. This experience helped me to gain acceptance in a top business school which led to a 25 year career with Monsanto where I have been involved in the introduction of new biotech products.”
BIOGRAPHY
Jim Tobin is the Director of Biotech Business Development for the Commercial Acceptance Group at Monsanto. Jim earned a B.S. degree in agricultural education from Iowa State University in 1978. He served as a County Extension Director for the Iowa State Extension Service from 1979 to 1981. He earned an M.B.A. degree from Harvard University in 1983. After completing his studies, Jim joined Monsanto's agricultural unit as Product Supervisor. He served in positions of increasing responsibility in agricultural marketing and commercial development before gaining his current appointment in 1999. Recent assignments include Global Product Management, Director; Global Seed Group, Co-President; Seed Business Team, Director; Director of Marketing for the U.S. Crop Protection Business and Cotton Business Director. These jobs provided valuable opportunities to work with Monsanto's seed, biotech and crop chemical customers and products. Jim lives in St. Louis with his wife, Gina, and their children - Michael, Zachary and Maura. Jim’s son Zach is a freshman at Iowa State and is a new member of the Iowa State Chapter. In addition, Jim’s father, Kelly (IA ’82), and three brothers, Bernie (IA ’81), Terry (IA ’76) and Kevin (IA ’79) are all members of FarmHouse and at the 100th Anniversary Celebration their mother Irene was recognized with the “Friend of FarmHouse” award on behalf of the Iowa State chapter. He is a trustee of the Missouri 4-H Foundation and the National 4-H Council. He is a member of the American Seed Trade Association and the U.S. Grains Council. Jim joined the Board of Trustees in November 2007.
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Mike Fayhee (IL ’67)
Partner & Head of Tax Department - McDermott, Will and Emery, LLP
Email: mfayhee@mwe.comfont>
“During my undergraduate years at FH, my fraternity brothers became not only a group of personal friends but a group I relied upon for academic support and encouragement. Since graduation those same people have continued to be friends and a great professional network. Over the years I have had opportunity to meet and work with other FH grads from other universities, in each instance confirming my belief in the value of the FH tradition.”
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Jim Herbert (TN ’61)
Founder, President & CEO – Neogen Corporation
E-mail: jherbert@neogen.com
BIOGRAPHY
Jim Herbert is President, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Neogen Corporation, which develops, manufactures and markets a diverse line of products dedicated to food and animal safety in Lansing, Mich. Since its founding by Jim in 1982, Neogen has pioneered rapid diagnostic testing and offers more than 400 products for food and animal safety. The test kits have gained worldwide use and acceptance, and now serve as the “gold standard” for numerous domestic and international regulatory agencies and industries. Neogen has been named as one of Forbes Magazine’s 200 Best Small Companies in America. Jim serves on Michigan’s Agriculture Policy Committee and on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Strategic Fund, both appointed by the Governor of Michigan. Jim graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1963 with a double major in agriculture science and journalism. As an undergraduate, he served as chapter president. He and his wife, Judi, reside in Lansing, Mich., and have a son and daughter.
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Gary Ludwig (IL '64)
President- Heartland Insurance Company
“As an undergraduate, I wasn’t involved with the Foundation, and only knew that it was there to help the chapters. Being a Foundation Trustee, it is very clear that the future of FarmHouse is and will continue to be to provide a solid foundation for the Fraternity. The FarmHouse Foundation provides a true tax sheltered vehicle for contributions of any level and to any of the educational programs of FarmHouse. Working with the Foundation Board, alumni and undergraduates from all of the chapters, I have realized we truly have good people in this organization.”
BIOGRAPHY
Gary is president of the Heartland Insurance Agency and has had a long career in the insurance industry. The Heartland Insurance Agency is a product of a long line of independent agencies in the Vermilion and Champaign counties, in east central Illinois. The company provides property and casualty, life, health, pension products and full service investment banking for personal and commercial needs. Gary earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. He delayed college for one year while he was State FFA President for Illinois and delayed college another year as an FFA exchange student in Denmark. After graduating he served as an officer in the military during the Vietnam War then returned to his hometown of Oakwood, Ill., to begin his career in the insurance industry. Gary is currently the president of the Danville (Ill.) Area Chamber of Commerce, past president of Downtown Danville, Inc., and a board member of the Danville Library Foundation. His wife Brenda is principal of Oakwood High School. They are both avid Illini sport fans and season ticket holders since 1966. Gary is a Foundation Trustee and very involved with the Illinois FarmHouse Chapter, including serving as host to many of the new member class retreats and officer retreats. Gary and Brenda live in Oakwood and have two daughters, one of whom is deceased, and two grandchildren. In his spare time Gary enjoys showing registered Holstein dairy cattle with his son-in-law and grandsons.
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Jim Lodoen (ND '79)
Attorney & Partner- Lindquist & Vennum P.L.L.P.
Email: jlodoen@lindquist.com
"FarmHouse changes lives. It molds average students into moral men and extraordinary leaders in business, agriculture, academia, the ministry, government, the armed forces and even Congress. I am who I am and where I am because of FarmHouse. Most of you value FarmHouse as one of the primary influences in your life. Have you repaid your debt of gratitude? We are obligated to assure that this unique training and development brotherhood of men continues-a strong Foundation is critical! I will do my part-I know you will do yours!"
BIOGRAPHY
Jim Lodoen is an attorney and partner with Lindquist & Vennum PLLP where has has practiced commercial law in Minneapolis for 20 years. Lindquist & Vennum is a 200 attorney commercial firm with offices in Minneapolis and Denver. It is a prominent agribusiness practice with a strong energy and renewable fuels practice. Jim is chair of the firm’s Bankruptcy and Creditors' Remedies practice group, and also handles mergers and acquisition and litigation matters. He graduated from North Dakota State in 1982 with a degree in agricultural economics and animal science and received his law degree from the University of North Dakota in 1985. Jim is married to his FH Little Sister, Teresa, and they have four children, ages 9-21. Teresa graduated from NDSU majoring in business and foods and nutrition. She is a stay at home mother, spent many years in Bible Study Fellowship and various Catholic Bible and faith studies, and volunteers for many school and church committees and activities. Jim and Teresa attribute their almost 25 years of marriage (this July) to having been "equally yoked", including their mutual FH experience, common membership in several college groups such as Blue Key and Mortar Board, a mutual faith and having the exact same GPA upon graduation.
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Matt Calavan (OK ’84)
General Manager – Beaver Toyota
Email: mattc@beavertoyota.com
"To say that FarmHouse has been instrumental in my success as a man is an understatement. The values, discipline and work ethic I learned as a child growing up in rural Oklahoma allowed me to take advantage of the great opportunity in FarmHouse. Little did I know at the time the lasting impact it would have on my life. I believe that to whom much is given, much is expected. FarmHouse has given me so much and it is simply an honor to serve on the Board of Trustees."
BIOGRAPHY
Matt Calavan is Vice President and General Manager of one of the largest automotive dealerships in New Mexico – Beaver Toyota of Santa Fe. In 1992 he joined the family business in a Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Cadillac store in Lufkin, Texas. Over the next eight years he served in sales, fleet sales, service manager, sales manager and general sales manager positions respectively. The family’s Texas automotive operations were sold in 2000 and Matt joined the Germain Automotive Group in Naples, Florida. He managed the Lexus operations until 2002 when he and his family purchased the Toyota store in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a journalism/marketing graduate of Oklahoma State University and served as State 4-H President from 1983-1984. He is involved with many community, school, church and non-profit boards in Santa Fe. He learned early in life through competitive sports, 4-H and FarmHouse, that leaders are only as good as their team. He has spent his life building great teams to accomplish great things. His greatest accomplishment is his wonderful wife Katie and three children, Caroline (12), Grace (10) and Spencer (8).
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Greg Bamford (CO '67)
President - Bamford Companies
Email: glb@bamcos.com
"Very soon after I was given a bid to pledge FarmHouse, I realized I was on the road to a treasured affiliation with the highest caliber of men; individuals that make a positive difference in our communities and in our world. All who have a connection with our Fraternity are privileged to be able to continue this heritage by contributing in some way - small or large - toward the growth and development of capable young men now and into the future as FarmHouse men!"
BIOGRAPHY
Greg is President of Bamford Companies and active in real estate development in the Phoenix metro area with his two sons, under the name of Whitewing. Whitewing purchases land in the path of growth; completes planning, annexation, re-zoning, platting, engineering, etc; builds all infrastructure; and markets individual, custom-home building lots to individual families and spec builders. A total of 285 Whitewing lots have been delivered since 1998, and 245 are currently under construction for a combined total retail land value of $130 million for the 530 lots in 5 subdivisions. He is a licensed real estate broker in Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming and Arizona. He had owned farmland since he was a child in northeast Colorado/ southwest Nebraska until February 2007, and says a recent sale has him “momentarily on the sideline.” He is an agriculture business/economics graduate of Colorado State University and during college he served as National FFA President from 1967-1968. Greg currently serves on five non-profit boards including the FarmHouse Foundation, as a Trustee for three years. He is a licensed private pilot and in his spare time he flies for Angel Flight, a volunteer organization that flies medical-needs patients and their families to their needed treatment. He and his wife of 38 years, Trudy, live in Gilbert, Ariz., and have two grown sons, three grandchildren and another grandchild expected in November.
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Donald R. Ferguson (KS '63)
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer- EnergX
Email: donferguson@att.net
BIOGRAPHY
Don is Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer for EnergX, having founded the firm in 1997 with two partners. He has more than 35 years of experience in the nuclear industry. With EnergX, he serves in a dual role as a senior management consultant to firms in the defense nuclear and commercial nuclear industries and as CFO on the management team for EnergX. Over the past 17 years, he has completed lengthy consulting assignments with the Kaiser-Hill team that accomplished the cleanup of the Department of Energy's (DOE) Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site (RFETS) and with Fluor Hanford, Inc. and CH2M HILL Hanford Group, both of whom operate major portions of the DOE's Hanford Site. During the 1980s, he spent five years in various leadership positions on the team of consultants who provided oversight of the utility’s effort to complete the construction and start up the Comanche Peak nuclear power station in central Texas. Before entering the consulting profession, he spent 12 years as a staff member at Argonne National Laboratory, where he led the effort to develop the DOE’s research and development plan for advanced reactor safety technology and subsequently directed the office that managed this R&D program for DOE for several years. Don earned his bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from Kansas State, has a master’s degree in applied nuclear science from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, a PhD in nuclear engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an Executive MBA from the University of Chicago. Don has been a FarmHouse Foundation Trustee since 2005. He and his wife Signe maintain homes in the high mountains of Summit County, Colo., and in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, Ill.
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