Brother Andy Howard, Beta Epsilon Chapter at Arkansas State, was promoted to Procurement Director at Walmart Finance. Brother Howard joined Walmart in 2006 and has served in various positions over the last 18 years. In his new position, Brother Howard will lead the packaging categories, focusing on end-to-end procurement approaches to promote operational efficiencies.
Brother Doug Degroff of Zeta Chapter (Cornell) was awarded the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ (CALS) Outstanding Alumni Award. Brother Aiden Ainslie, also from Zeta Chapter, presented the award to him along with Dean of CALS, Benjamin Houlton.
Brother Degroff was described as being a key part of the dairy industry. He began his career with the Dairy Nutrition Company in California and still works there today.
Brother Connor Hartigan of Phi Chapter (California-Davis) began two different roles with the university. He began helping the student farm by bailing hay and operating heavy equipment. He also started an internship with the Clarity and Leadership for Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR). Brother Hartigan focuses on cattle methane emissions for sustainable agriculture.
Brother Chase Rhein of Tau Chapter, Michigan State, recently moved from his role at ADM as a Trade Manager in Tuscola, IL to serve as a Commercial Manager overseeing all commercial assets in Michigan and Ohio for ADM. Brother Rhein additionally serves as the Finance Director for the Tau Chapter Alumni Board.
Brother Zane Platter of Alpha Zeta Chapter, Kansas State, has graduated from West Texas A&M University with his master's degree and has moved into a new role with an Arkansas-based company.
Alpha Gamma Rho’s Northeastern Region will hold their 5th Annual Alpha Gamma Rho Fall Shootout November 9th. The event is open to all brothers from any chapter, alumni and friends of AGR. The opportunity to win the traveling trophy, won last year by Gamma Eta Chapter at SUNY-Cobleskill. Beta Psi Chapter, Delaware Valley, will cook barbeque for lunch for all attendees. For more information, contact RVP-Northeast, Adam Manwarren at 215-275-0933 or at [email protected].
Brother Donnie Smith of Alpha Kappa Chapter, Tennessee-Knoxville, was honored September 13 by the University of Tennessee, as a Distinguished Alumni at UT’s annual Alumni Awards Banquet. As president and CEO of Tyson Foods from 2009 to 2016, he led the company to focus on feeding the world great, affordable food, making a positive difference in people’s lives. Smith has been recognized as UT’s Philanthropist of the Year, a top 100 alumnus, and the Ruby C. McSwain Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year by the National Agricultural Alumni and Development Association. In 2021, he was inducted into the Tennessee Poultry Hall of Fame. He and Terry are native Tennesseans and have three children and one grandchild, and they continue their work to feed the world.
