Grand President’s Award

Todd Steinacher, Western Illiniois

Todd Steinacher has been involved in production agriculture professionally since 2006, when he graduated from Western Illinois University (WIU). It was his time at WIU School of Agriculture and membership with the Alpha Tau Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho that helped to shape his passion for agronomy, leadership and service to the agriculture industry. It was several years after WIU that he realized he had more agronomic questions then answers and decided to obtain is master’s degree in Crop Science from the University of Illinois while working full time.

While at WIU School of Agriculture, Todd was very involved in department organization such as Ag.Mech Club, Agronomy Club, Ag-Council and Alpha Gamma Rho.  As a collegiate member, he served as the VNR-Planning, VNR-Financing and Vice Noble Ruler.

For nearly a decade, Todd worked for Growmark in Agronomy Crop Input, sales, marketing and consulting before working for AgriGold from 2015 to 2021.

In 2019 he was invited to be a lead agronomist on an agriculture training project in Zambia, Africa, through the Illinois and International ROTARY organization. Todd was responsible for developing and presenting an agronomic training program, understanding regional challenges and developing agronomic Side-By-Sides so that local farmers could see the value in the new management practices. This project is on-going and has brought on nearly 100 local farmers.

His passion for agronomy and outreach got him named the 2020 Illinois Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) of the Year and the 2021 International CCA of the Year.

Todd currently serves on the Alpha Tau Alumni Board and served on the Capital Campaign fundraising project and the Illinois Certified Crop Advisor Board. He previously supported the Illinois Soybean Association on agronomic content and educational programs, and has been an adjunct instructor for regional community colleges, as well as trained several CCA’s.

Seth Pratt, Idaho

Seth Pratt was raised on a family farm in Idaho originally homesteaded by the Pratt Family in 1904. Seth was heavily involved in 4-H and then FFA, he served as an officer at every level from the local chapter to the national organization. While attending the University of Idaho, Seth worked for the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences on alumni relations and fundraising. There, he joined the Beta Phi Chapter where he served twice as VNR-Recruitment, a function he remains passionate about today. Seth now serves on the chapter Alumni Board. Since graduating with a degree in Agricultural Economics he has held roles with The Context Network, DecisionNext, and Verdesian Life Sciences, where he is currently a Marketing Director. After living on both coasts, Seth moved back to Idaho where his time is dedicated to four things: family – wife Leah and daughter Emma, work for Verdesian, helping on the family farm, and getting time outdoors chasing cows, fish, or mountains. Seth credits Alpha Gamma Rho as the best leadership experience of his youth, and an invaluable lifelong network.

Chris Looney, Arkansas

Chris Looney is a Vice President, Relationship Manager for CoBank. He provides financing to agricultural cooperatives & businesses throughout Texas and Oklahoma and has worked for the farm credit system for nearly 15 years in various roles from credit analysis to troubled debt restructuring to sales. He also participates in his family’s cow/calf and stocker operation located in Perry, Oklahoma.

Chris has served on the alumni board for the Alpha Iota Chapter since 2013 and has been acting President since 2016. He was initiated into the Alpha Iota Chapter in 2001 and was elected to VNR-Planning and VNR-Scholarship officer roles during his tenure at the University of Arkansas. His family roots run deep in the fraternity with his father, Dr. Charles Looney, being initiated in 1974 and his mother, Cathryn Looney, being AGR sweetheart in 1976.

Since 2014, he has brought together the chapters of Alpha Iota and Beta Nu for a joint tailgate at the Annual Southwest Classic football game in Arlington, Texas so undergrads can network with each other and other alumni. Recently, Beta Lambda Chapter has also attended this annual Brotherhood event. Brother Looney enjoys connecting with AGR brothers from across the nation and believes in giving back to the Fraternity to foster the development of the men that go through our chapters.

Chris is from Bryan, Texas, and graduated from the University of Arkansas with Bachelor of Science degrees in animal science and agricultural economics in 2007. He received his master’s degree in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University in 2009. He was chosen to be a part of the Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership Program in 2020. He was part of the CoBank SBA Team that received the 2020 President’s Award for Enterprise Excellence. In 2021, he was elected to serve on the Executive Board of the Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council.

In his free time, he roots on his beloved Arkansas Razorbacks in all sports and spends time with his wife, Myriah, and 8 month old daughter, Sheridan. He currently lives in Lindsay, Texas.

Andy Fordice, Purdue

Andy Fordice was initiated into the Delta Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho at Purdue University in 2002 where he graduated with dual majors in Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Communications. Upon graduation in 2006, Andy started his career with Dow AgroSciences (now Corteva Agriscience) where he has held multiple sales and marketing leadership roles throughout his 16-year career. His career has taken his family to multiple states including Idaho, Mississippi, Florida and Indiana. Andy has been intimately involved in the creation, launch and sales execution of several new brands in diverse segments of agriculture including seed, tree nuts, fruits, citrus, vegetables, cereal grains, rice, cotton, corn, soybeans and digital. Notably, Andy was the crop protection Portfolio Marketing Leader for Enlist herbicides prior to and through its launch which currently spans tens of millions of acres across soybeans, cotton and corn.  Currently, Andy serves as the Area Digital Sales Leader for Corteva for Indiana and Illinois. 

Andy, his wife Heidi, and their three kids Claire (10), Jack (7) and Charlie (1) reside in Zionsville, Indiana which is 50 miles from his home farm that has been in the Fordice family since 1846.  Outside of work, Andy serves as an elder for Advent Lutheran Church, is currently in the 19th class for the Indiana Agriculture Leadership Program, annually teaches a class of third graders in financial literacy through the Junior Achievement program and has coached his son’s Little League baseball team.  While at Purdue, Andy served on the executive committee for Delta Chapter as VNR-Planning, VNR-Membership Development and as the Risk Manager. He was also active on campus in many activities including time as the mascot, Purdue Pete.  He also earned the 2006 Alpha Gamma Rho National Undergraduate Achievement Award.