Ivan Garcia

Dedicated and experienced agricultural business development with over 15+ years’ experience working with cattle and agriculture. Adept at operational planning and management of both business and sales. Expertise in management of daily operations with a focus on short- and long-term goals. Extensive knowledge of animal economic impact in beef cattle and its relationship to animal welfare. R&D products executive with a proven track record for creating and delivering innovative products that improve the quality of agricultural business. Significant international experience building capable technical organizations, leading project teams in remote global locations, and working with business units to leverage innovative new products to drive growth in both established and emerging markets.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

American Wagyu Feeders, Olathe, Co. 04/2022 – present

Senior R&D managing director.                

Leader of the company’s research and development program with a staff of 150 associates and budget of $35 M for internal and external innovation development.

Expanding and manage American Wagyu feeders into a major emerging market in partnership with Colorado River Ranch, Black Canyon ranch, Kinikin processing plant through beef quality assurance (BQA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) planning and programing certification.

Leading company’s productivity effort which is on track to achieve $100 M in products by 2025.

Leading growth in underdeveloped control category through innovative new applications including breeding, ranches development and managing, economic impact, animal health and welfare protocols in the meat chain production, physical chemical meat quality.

Spearheaded the renewal of the company’s innovation committee of the board of directors to build the capabilities required to achieve future growth through innovation.

Frionas Industries, Satanta, Ks. 08/2021 – 12/2021

Senior R&D management consultant                                                                                                    

Stabilized the company’s animal health-welfare parameters (morbidity-mortality) through introduction of breakthrough new data obtained and analyzed from research trails, close out performance, and treatment protocol success rate. The business achieved records sales and profit and grew market share over this period.  

Drove technology platform projects on meat quality, applied animal production systems, innovations across agricultural business.

Created new approach to leveraging university partnership with animal health and welfare research institution, IICV-UABC (Universidad Autonoma de Baja California), which resulted in business building projects on cattle livestock management and staff training protocols.

Pinal Feeding Company, Casa Grande, Arizona. 11/2017 – 08/2021

General manager, R&D                                                                                                                           

Direct and develop all daily operations of multi-million-dollar company to ensure optimal efficiency, customer service excellence, and maximum revenue growth.

Manage personnel and administrative needs in all aspects of day-to-day feedlot operations. Prepare and evaluate budget reports, operational expenses, and inventory control requirements. Conduct regular inspections for quality and safety compliance in accordance with regulations and protocols. Maintain a strong understanding of products and services and innovating new ways to serve business.

North Platte Livestock Feeders, North Platte, Nebraska. 06/2015 - 11/2017

R&D Animal Scientist                                                                                                                     

Designed and executed industry-relevant research on cattle farming and feeding operations.

Created and implemented research plans to identify diseases, symptoms, and underlying etiology. Focused operations on the mitigation of risk factors in reproduction, housing, and feeding. Close supervision of every step of the development process of trials. Leadership and managerial for new ideas and solving problems creatively. Responsible for research, planning and implementing new programs and protocols into the company.

Rancho Los Olivos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. 04/2012 – 06/2015

Chief Operational Officer                                                                                                                      

Provide management and development to 15 cattle ranches with over 8.5 million acres of desert range ground and a capacity of 25,000 head located in Monterrey, Mexico with a staff and leadership to the organization that aligns with the company’s business plan and overall strategic vision. Assist executive team members in creating, growing, and building a world class, industry leading organization.

Drive company results from both an operational and financial perspective working closely with the CFO, CEO, and other key executive team members. Partner with the CFO to achieve favorable financial results with respect to sales, profitability, cash flow, mergers and acquisitions, systems, reporting and controls.

Spearhead the development, communication and implementation of effective growth strategies and processes. Works with other c-level executives on budgeting, forecasting and resource allocation programs. Work closely with senior management team to create, implement and roll out plans for operational processes, internal infrastructures, reporting systems and company policies all designed to foster growth, profitably and efficiency within the company. 

Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Estado de Mexico, Mexico. 08/2008- 03/2012

Senior animal health and welfare director – Researcher full-time professor-large animal hospital director.                            

Lead the execution of research projects by drafting proposals, selecting methods, supervising teams, managing budgets, and presenting findings.

Identify potential ideas to pitch to directors of research and innovation, submit a proposal to be approved.

Collect, organize, and analyze data and opinions to solve issues and predict trends.

Perform fieldwork to collect samples, write reports, research papers, and reviews, and organize materials testing.

Liaise with research and production staff, develop ways to resolve problems, and supervise junior research staff.

Organize the annual PhD symposium for doctoral researchers, master's students, and post-docs.

Prepare and publish a review on applications of animal health and welfare trends in a repute journal.

Rubio’s ranches and feedlot, Guasave, Sinaloa. 04/2005 - 07/2008

General Manager                                                                                                                                   

Manage the company's ranches and feedlot. 5 ranches with over 1 million acres of a tropical range ground and a capacity of 3,500 head of Angus and Simmental cattle. Develop and improve technology, provide direction to the organization, increase productivity, achieve established goals, satisfy employees, and contribute to the community.

Lead and delegate responsibilities to the staff in the company, make sure that the activities are planned and mostly executed in conjunction with the administrative council or owner, planning strategies for growth or improvements in grow-out in any of their areas. Make projections for budgets in the short, medium, and long-term. Observe and keep in mind new programs in health, nutrition, and management that could be in the forefront.

Identify opportunities for the company, either improvement or business with the main product (meat) or some or few sub-products.

Secretary of agricultural development, Ensenada, Baja California. 08/2000 – 03/2005

Livestock R&D consultor                                                                                                                     

Participate in expansion activities (investments, acquisitions, corporate alliances, etc.), manage relationships with partners, vendors. Evaluate performance of 25 livestock ranches (cattle, pigs, dairy, horse, chicken, lamb and goat) by analyzing and interpreting data and metrics. Lead employees to encourage maximum performance and dedication. Analyze general, functional conditions and gaps of knowledge in which the producer is located. Provide technical and strategic advice. Carry out the functions laid down in the regulations. Implementation of the Government programs of support of transfer and technology.

Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Business (2011)

Economic impact in beef cattle and its relationship to animal health and welfare

Universidad Autonoma de Baja California – Mexicali, Baja California.

Master of Science in Coastal Oceanography (2006)

Bluefin tuna farming and farming-related commercial activities

Universidad Autonoma de Baja California – Ensenada, Baja California

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (2000)

Animal health and welfare and meat quality in pigs

Universidad Autonoma de Baja California – Mexicali, Baja California