Industry Perspective Panel
Sean McCarty - Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC
As Director of Government Affairs for Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC (Helena), Sean acts as the liaison between Helena and the governmental officials and agencies that represent and regulate them. In addition to his responsibilities as Director, Sean is also in charge of all federal affairs, as well as select state affairs in key states. He closely monitors and lobbies legislation so that Helena is able to effectively protect the interests of their customers, their employees and their business. Additionally, Sean is involved in various forms of company outreach through legislative visits, communication task forces and engagement in trade associations and non-profits such as Agricenter International, where he is Vice Chair of the Board of Directors.
Prior to his role in Government Affairs, Sean held roles within Helena such as Product Manager and Sales Representative, as well as Branch Manager for locations covering southern Delaware, eastern Maryland and the eastern shore of Virginia. Before coming to Helena, he served as a Marketing Analyst for BASF in Research Triangle Park, NC.
Sean is a graduate of the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, where he majored in Marketing and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Sean and his wife, Alison, have two young boys, Graeme and Aaron, and reside in Collierville, TN. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf and travelling abroad.
Jeff Blackwood - BASF
Jeff Blackwood is Policy Lead within Government Affairs for BASF in the Washington, DC office. Jeff has been working on public policy in Washington DC for over 22 years, with a specific focus on agriculture policy.
Jeff serves on the Board of Directors of the National Wheat Foundation as well the Board of Directors of the Biological Products Industry Alliance.
Prior to joining BASF, Jeff was the director of government relations at The Fertilizer Institute. He previously worked as Legislative Assistant to United States Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND). Prior to his work with Sen. Dorgan, Jeff was with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and spent four years as a Legislative Assistant to Congressman Brad Carson (D-OK).
Adam Herges - The Mosaic Company
Adam Herges is Sustainability Agronomist Advisor, Corporate Public Affairs at The Mosaic Company, the world’s leading producer of phosphate and potash fertilizers. Adam leads Mosaic’s North American 4R Nutrient Stewardship strategic partnerships, as well as provide technical agronomy expertise on key issues related to sustainable agriculture production, carbon, and water quality.
Prior to joining Mosaic in 2015, Adam was Director of Research and Market Development at South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council in Sioux Falls. Earlier in his career, Adam worked in a variety of roles with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and The University of Minnesota.