Corteva Agriscience

This month we are highlighting our Diamond Sponsor, Corteva Agriscience! IPSA appreciates our sponsors and the support they give to help us bring more value to our members.

Al Carlson – Corteva Licensing & Distribution Leader

Al Carlson leads the Licensing & Distribution team for Corteva Agriscience in the U.S. where he is responsible for helping independent seed companies promote Corteva Agriscience traits and genetics. .  Al grew up on a farm in southwest Minnesota. He has spent 25 years in the seed business and joined legacy Dow AgroSciences in 2010 where he has worked as the soybean business leader and regional brand leader.

“I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to work with independent seed companies.  Prior to coming to work for Corteva Agriscience, I managed a seed business as a licensee and I know some of the challenges they face.  Our goal is to provide independent seed companies with new products and technologies to enable their businesses to continue to be highly successful and ensure they meet the demands of their growers as the ag industry continues to evolve.” 

Al has been married for 34 years and loves spending time with his wife, Carrie. They have two children, Jordan, 32 and Samantha, 28. They also have a 6 year old granddaughter, Isabelle they love spending time with. When he isn’t working or spending time with his family, Al loves to golf and hunt. He is a big football fan and continues to cheer for the Minnesota Vikings. He also enjoys volunteering on his church grounds crew where they maintain an 80 acre property, complete with two ball diamonds, a football field, cross country course and disc golf.

Kyle Lange – Licensing Marketing Manager and Account Manager 

Kyle grew up on a hobby farm South Central Iowa.  He earned a B.S. Ag Business and a M.B.A. from Iowa State University. 

He started his career with Pioneer Hi-Bred in 2002. Kyle is the Marketing Manager for Licensing and Distribution, he also is an Account Manager with several licensees in a dual role.  Prior to becoming joining the Licensing and Distribution Team, he was the Sales and Distribution Manager with PROaccess Genetics that managed the regional brand seed companies within Corteva. During his career he has held positions in sales management, sales operations, supply chain, and Six Sigma. 

“Working with IPSA and its members is always refreshing. The independence of the members is important to the industry to provide diversity and choices for farmers of today and in the future.”

He and his wife, Tanya, have two children Rylan and Ashlynd. They reside in central Iowa. In his spare time Kyle enjoys traveling with his family, going to Chiefs football games, boating and helping the kids with their 4-H projects.

Todd McClellan – Corteva Traits Licensing and Distribution Account Manager

Todd McClellan grew up in Central Indiana. He holds a B.S. in Marketing from Indiana Tech University. Todd spent many years in the aircraft industry before transitioning to the Ag industry in February of 2001 at Dow AgroSciences. He has held several positions throughout his career including customer service, Sales Rep in the Mid-South, Regional Account Manager for the Southern Region and currently is an Account Manager in the Traits Licensing and Distribution business for Corteva Agriscience working with seed companies East of the Mississippi River.

“I enjoy working with so many great people in the independent seed business.  I am so fortunate for the opportunity to work with such good customers and members of our team.” 

Todd and his wife, Severine of 25 years have a son Louis, and daughter Margot, who are twins. The twins have recently graduated from college. Todd & Severine relocated back to Indianapolis in July of 2019 and spend much of their free time remodeling their 109 year old home.

Doug Rice – Licensing Account Manager 

Doug has been involved in agriculture his entire life, still living on the farm property where he was raised. He launched his professional career in agricultural following graduation from Purdue University in 1987 and he followed up with an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University in 1999. Doug’s seed industry roots began at Brodbeck Seeds in 2004 as their Business Manager, where he continued in various leadership roles until there merger with Dairyland Seed in 2018. Doug then worked with Dairyland as their Product Portfolio/ Agronomy lead before moving into the Sales Effectiveness Manger role with MCS in 2019. He just moved into his new role as an Account Manager for the MCS Licensing business.

”I am eager to get back to work with the independent seed companies and it’s why I am excited about joining this team. I began my ag career working for an independent seed company and have always enjoyed the entrepreneurial spirit of the members of IPSA.”

Doug and his wife Lisa reside in north central Indiana and are the proud parents of Ethan and Lindsay. They love the outdoors, especially traveling to state and national parks.

Bob Wesolowski – Licensing Account Manager 

Bob Wesolowski grew up on the family farm near Warren, MN.  He earned a B.S & M.S. in Agricultural Economics and B.S in Agronomy from NDSU.  He worked for Western Consolidated Coop in Holloway, MN as an agronomist & plant manager for three years. 

He started his career with Dow AgroSciences in 1994. He is currently the Traits Licensing Account Manager for all Regional Seed Companies west of the Mississippi river.  Prior to becoming the Account Manager, he held positions in sales, market research, supply chain, product management, sales management and six sigma. These positions have involved Global & USA work in the following segments: Row Crops, Cereals, Rice, Range and Pasture, IVM, Turf and Ornamental and Technical Products.

“Working with the IPSA members and interacting with the board members over the years has allowed me to get to know them as friends and understand their businesses better and their business needs. Also working with the independent seed companies and understanding the challenges they face, much like those on my own farm, I am happy that we have Corteva solutions to help U.S. farmers meet their production needs.”

He and his wife, Gail, have one daughter, Megan. They live in the Twin Cities suburb. In his spare time, Bob enjoys Nascar, hunting, fishing & traveling with his family.

Thank you Corteva Agriscience for supporting IPSA!