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Episode 4: Chris Narayanan (USMC)

Vets In Ag Podcast
Vets In Ag Podcast
Episode 4: Chris Narayanan (USMC)
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From ag consulting firms and brokerages to Wall Street investment banks and agribusiness power houses like John Deere and INTL FCSTone, Chris brings such a broad perspective that I think this episode has a little bit of everything for everyone.

We sat down with Chris Narayanan – currently an Extension Farm Management Specialist at the University of Tennessee Institute for Agriculture. After earning his bachelors degree from Texas A&M in Ag Economics, Chris then spent the next ten years as a Marine Corps infantry officer. Following his time in the service, Chris then went back to school to earn Masters in Rangeland Ecology and Management as well as an MBA from the University of Texas. This then ultimately launched Chris into the private ag sector where he has been working in a wide variety of sub-sectors within the ag industry for the past 15+ years.

One of my favorite parts of this episode was listening to Chris describe what he called “kitchen table” moments with farmers. I think this is something many transitioning vets seek but struggle to find after they leave active duty service; a way to connect with their profession in a way that is meaningful and service-based.

Have a listen to find out how Chris finally found this balance.

Episode 3: John “Glad” Castellaw (USMC)

Vets In Ag Podcast
Vets In Ag Podcast
Episode 3: John "Glad" Castellaw (USMC)
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From driving mules to mechanization, from stuffing fresh-picked cotton in his shirt to keep him warm at night to enclosed, climate-controlled tractor cabins, it was impressive to see how far agriculture had come over the years through John’s stories.

My guest for this episode was John Castellaw – Co-Founder and CEO for Farm Space Systems and retired Marine Corps 3-Star General. For 36 years, John led Marines around the world from a unit of 40 young men and women to a Marine Aircraft Wing of over 7,000. He flew over two dozen different aircraft during his tenure, served on the UN staff during the Siege of Sarajevo, executed humanitarian operations in Asia, Africa, and Europe, and commanded the American forces in stability and security operations in East Timor. John also served as the Chief of Staff for the U.S. Central Command during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Even more impressive than reliving the evolution of agtech through the stories of a single man was to see John’s realization that we can’t keep beating the dirt into submission. He fundamentally understands that we need to adopt more regenerative and sustainable practices, a sentiment not always shared by multi-generational farmers.

John takes me through his upbringing on the same cotton farm in W. Tenn where we reside now and how these experiences drove him into service and ultimately led him back to the farm after nearly 40 years. This interview is filled with words of wisdom about life and business tied up in stories such as ag as a component of national security, the importance of servant leadership, and the military’s advances in technology which are being more widely adopted within ag.

My favorite story involved a well drilling unit and a veterinarian in East Africa.

Have a listen to find out how it ends!

Episode 2: Jason Burley (USMC, USAF, USANG)

Vets In Ag Podcast
Vets In Ag Podcast
Episode 2: Jason Burley (USMC, USAF, USANG)
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Jason Burley is the Vice President and Director of Cargill Food Ingredient Sales for North America. Jason’s background is incredibly unique, one that spans three different branches (US Marine Corps, Air Force, and Army National Guard) as well as both the officer and enlisted communities.

In this episode, we dive into Jason’s story and how it’s shaped the approach he’s taken today in driving veteran employment within Cargill. Jason shares a similar sentiment facing many veterans today after they transition; a disconnect from the type of bonds formed in a service and in a profession that serves a greater purpose. Jason explains how he found that purpose in agriculture. We also tackle some of the mistakes vets make when applying their leadership skills in the private sector.

Episode 1: Dr. Alex Thomasson Ph.D (USN)

Episode 1
Vets In Ag Podcast
Vets In Ag Podcast
Episode 1: Dr. Alex Thomasson Ph.D (USN)
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Welcome to the Veterans in Ag podcast, brought to you by AGD Consulting.

My guest for this first episode is Dr. Alex Thomasson – currently serving as the Department Head of Ag and Biological Engineering at Mississippi State. Dr. Thomasson retired from the Navy in 2014 after 22 years of service. He began his career as an Ag Engineer and Research Scientist for the USDA Ag Research Service, specializing in electronics and machines for cotton ginning. Dr. Thomasson then spent the next 15 years at Texas A&M University as a Professor and ultimately the Endowed Chairholder in Cotton Engineering, Ginning and Mechanization. It’s here where I first met Dr. Thomasson as one of my professors during my undergraduate studies in Ag Engineering. He is also an active member of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Precision Ag Task Force, Rural Broadband Development Working Group, helping bring connectivity to rural farmers.

In this episode, Dr. Thomasson delivers one of the most comprehensive and easy-to-understand overviews of what’s happening within agtech that I’ve ever heard. If you’re even remotely interested in what agtech is and what’s happening right now, this episode is a must.

His approach to servant leadership within his department is something he extracted directly from his time in Afghanistan as an engineer and should be an example for us all. I am humbled to have had the opportunity to dig into Dr. Thomasson’s story; you’ll be surprised by what I find. 

Enjoy!