For the first time since the agency’s founding, the FLM Harvest Board of Advisors has a new chair. Danita Rodibaugh, an eight-year veteran of the board, has been named chair, assuming the role held since 2011 by Ted Priebe, who will remain on the board as past chair and assist in the transition.
In addition, 25-year ag and food marketing leader Heidi Nelson is joining the board as an Advisor.
“We are so pleased that both Danita and Heidi accepted these important roles,” said Laurie Fleck, president and CEO of FLMH. “Each has a distinct perspective and drive to get things done that will serve our agency and clients well.”
FLMH’s Board of Advisors is unique among marketing services agencies, consisting of nine extraordinary leaders in the agriculture, food and lifestyle markets, providing seasoned counsel, insights and strategic guidance to agency team members and clients.
Danita Rodibaugh: A proven leader
Rodibaugh joined the Board of Advisors in 2013 and has made significant contributions by supporting the agency’s growth, identifying potential strategic partnerships and providing agricultural production and operational insights.
“The board’s extensive knowledge and experience in food and agriculture brings important insights and diversity of thought to FLMH and our clients,” Rodibaugh said. “Over the next year, we will grow the board in support of our goal to broaden our expertise and networking opportunities to add value and grow understanding within our agency.”
Fleck added: “Danita also will be playing an important role in determining strategic white spaces of opportunity and recruiting candidates who meet our standards for the board.”
Rodibaugh currently serves in an integral role in Rodibaugh & Sons, a family grain and purebred swine operation in Rensselaer, Ind. She also is on the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research board of directors. Prior to joining the FLMH Board of Advisors, she served as chairperson of the U.S. Meat Export Federation in 2011-12; was president of the National Pork Board in 2005-06; and served in committee roles with USMEF, NPB, National Pork Producers Council and Indiana Pork.
Heidi Nelson: A breakthrough marketing force
Nelson joins the board after most recently serving as executive vice president and head of PR for FLMH.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to engage with some of the best people in food and agriculture, contribute in a meaningful way and help steward the business in collaboration with an inspiring team of Board of Advisors,” Nelson said.
Fleck said Nelson’s 25-year experience as a food and ag marketer and agency leader will facilitate meaningful connections between the board and the agency with Nelson leveraging her intimate knowledge of agency resources and culture.
“Heidi brings a unique perspective to the board as a strategic communicator with experience representing brands and commodities across the entire agrifood chain with a special passion for understanding, engaging and aligning stakeholders,” Fleck said.
For 12 years, Nelson was owner and principal of Harvest PR & Marketing, which was named Outstanding Boutique PR Agency in 2017 by PRWeek. In 2017, the legacy organizations FLM+ and Harvest PR merged and rebranded as FLM Harvest. Nelson helped lead the integration of the two organizations and led the agency’s PR practice for the past four years.
Ted Priebe: A legendary marketer and agency leader
Priebe has chaired the Board of Advisors from its inception in 2011 with a mission to steward the early stage growth of FLMH and help clients solve problems and realize opportunities.
“Ted is a visionary who helped define the board’s role and function. It’s impossible to overstate his contribution to our success,” Fleck said.
Priebe said his role as board chair has been one of the most fulfilling chapters of his career.
“The agency business is such a people business and, for me, the most satisfying reward of my career has been watching young professionals learn, grow and thrive in this fast-paced business,” Priebe said. “We established the Board of Advisors to supplement the amazing younger talent in the agency to provide even deeper industry knowledge and connections from a variety of successful food, ag and adjacent industry leaders as well as to share lessons learned over the years in building a successful business and internal culture. Nothing has been more fulfilling or fun than witnessing the commitment and determination of the leadership team at FLMH.”
Priebe has had a storied career in food and agriculture marketing. After serving in a leadership role in the growth of Agri Marketing magazine, along with a portfolio of other publications, he joined Miller Meester Advertising, ultimately serving as the agency’s president. Miller Meester, at that time, was the largest agency in agriculture. Priebe then, along with Dick Meyocks, formed Meyocks & Priebe Advertising, leading the agency as president/CEO for a decade.
Additional board members include Bill Boehm, food economics and public policy expert; Gregg Halverson, chairman of the board of Black Gold Farms; Randy Marten, owner and principal of food processing consultancy Food Ingredient Advisors; Jeff Nawn, founder and CEO of global market access consultancy The North Hill Group; David Parker, executive agribusiness consultant and keynote speaker; and Marianne Smith Edge, a registered dietitian and principal of food marketing consultancy The Agri-Nutrition Edge.
Source: FLM Harvest news release