“…Veteran Ag Leader Brings Deep Experience in Financial Management, Data Analytics and Customer Focus“
Agribusiness leader Dan Hennessy has joined the senior management team at Meristem Crop Performance as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). In the new role, Hennessy will apply his deep experience in finance, data analytics, and operations management to boost Meristem’s efforts to build the most efficient platform for driving farm business success and accelerating innovation.
“Dan is known for bringing powerful, straightforward solutions for scaling up to handle business growth, and that’s critical to seeing more farmers benefit from the innovation we are bringing to the marketplace,” said Mitch Eviston, Meristem Founder and CEO today in the announcement. “We are excited he’s joined our all-star team of proven agribusiness leaders helping farmers earn more from every acre they farm.”
Hennessy says he’s looking forward to applying his experience to Meristem’s mission of helping farmers raise more bushels at less cost per bushel. “It’s clear to me that Meristem has built a high-performance company that is laser-focused on farmer success, and that’s what it’s all about,” says Hennessy. “I’m eager to leverage my skill in financial management and what I’ve learned about data analytics and customer engagement to grow the business.”
Dan grew up in a small North Dakota town where his father was the manager of the North Dakota State Mill and Elevator while other close relatives operated the family farm. He earned his undergraduate degree in marketing from the University of Northwestern in St. Paul and his MBA in finance from the Opus College of Business at the University of St. Thomas. His early career path saw him in accounting for Honeywell and a stint as a financial analyst for a consumer electronics company. “I’m grateful for the diversity of experience I got early on, but I’m also glad that I worked my way back to food and agriculture,” he says.
Hennessy came to Meristem from 18 years at Land O’Lakes, Inc. in various senior management roles where he led teams in crop protection, turf products, and animal nutrition. Most recently, Hennessy served as VP of Marketing for the Animal Nutrition Business. Prior to that role, he was VP of International for Land O’Lakes after returning from four years living in Africa. During his time in Africa, he was CFO and later CEO of Villa Crop Protection, the leading crop protection company in South Africa. He was also CEO for Bidco Land O’Lakes, a Land O Lakes start-up animal feed business located in Nakuru, Kenya.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with and learn from some extraordinary people all over the world. I’m excited to bring that experience back to better serve farmers and the help the industry deliver on the big goals we have in front of us.” says Hennessy. “We have a massive opportunity to leverage global insights, especially in biologicals, and help accelerate innovation and performance for our farmers and dealers.”
Hennessy and his wife Rochelle will celebrate 20 years of marriage in the coming year, and they currently reside in Blaine, Minnesota. They have a son in college and a daughter in high school, along with two Great Danes, a cocker spaniel, three cats and a bearded dragon. “Yes, there are not many dull moments at our house,” he smiles, “and I do enjoy golf and traveling when I can find the time.”
Hennessy says that boosting farm success and reducing waste in the distribution system are key motivators for him in the days ahead, and he sees it happening at an important time for American farmers. “I’m excited to roll up my sleeves and work to help American farmers compete globally,” says Hennessy. “With Meristem Crop Performance, I look forward to being a part of a solution that will positively impact both growers and the Meristem dealer partner channel that serves them.”