Envisioned and endowed by the generosity of the Robert O. Reich family, this one-on-one interaction offers a rare life experience for students and the Executive-in-Residence. Through class lectures, roundtable discussions, one-on-one meetings and other informal interactions, students learn first-hand about career paths and choices they may not have dreamed possible.
The program, inaugurated in February 1997 by faculty and staff as a collaborative learning experience for students, takes place in an informal environment that allows participation to be spontaneous and infectious.
Anyone can nominate an industry leader to be part of the Executive-in-Residence program; the program’s board extends invitations to two executives each year – one in the fall and one each spring.
Professor-for-a-Day
Through the generosity of the Robert O. Reich Family, CAFNR is proud to present the Professor-for-a-Day program, which brings industry professionals (many alumni of CAFNR) to campus to interact with students, faculty and staff.
The program strives to:
- Create a collaborative learning experience for students in an informal environment
- Allow students to interact with CAFNR alumni and take away valuable lessons
- Encourage the executive to share views on business, leadership and his/her tips for being successful in the real world
About the Robert O. Reich Family
It seems only natural that the growing of vegetables would come to benefit the continued growth of people, industry and interaction with the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.
August Reich arrived from Germany near the end of the 19th century, settling just east of the boom town of Kansas City, Mo. He began providing for his family with a small truck/garden operation.
As business grew, so did the Reich family. August and his wife produced eight children. Sons Walter, Bill and Robert O. joined their father in what became A. Reich and Sons Gardens, Incorporated, a nationwide horticultural crop producing business and wholesale food supplier.
Meanwhile, Kansas City was growing along with the Reichs; they responded by developing the Blue Ridge Shopping Center and a successful financial institution, Blue Ridge Bank and Trust.
Curiosity and the excitement of experimentation is at the heart of education. These factors are central to an endowment given to the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources by the wife of Robert O., Mildred N. Reich. In a letter to the University, she said, “Education is more than studying books. Young people need exposure to those with experience and knowledge. That exposure is where a lot of your true education takes place. The University has meant a lot to our family through the years. I’ve wanted to do something like this for a long time.”
Robert O. Reich died in 1961. Mildred Reich passed away in 1992. Their son, Robert R., passed away in 2009. His wife and loved daughter-in-law of the Reich family, Carol Reich, continues their legacy and ideals. Through their generosity and interest, this special Reich family gift is opening new avenues of communication providing a stimulus for students to strive harder as they work toward becoming tomorrow’s leaders in agriculture.
Wamwari Waichungo, Vice President, Global Safety Assessments & Regulatory Affairs, SC Johnson, Nov. 9, 2023
Susan L. Combs, Author & Entrepreneur – Hotel & Restaurant Management, October 4-5, 2023
Steward Pickett, Distinguished Senior Scientist – Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, March 19-23, 2023
Ernie Verslues, President and CEO, MFA Incorporated, April 12-13, 2022
Cathy East, Vice President of Procurement: Meat/Seafood/Deli for Albertsons Companies, Nov. 6-7, 2019
Blake Hurst, Missouri Farm Bureau President, April 3-4, 2019
Kellie Bray, Chief of Staff for CropLife America, Feb. 21-22, 2019
Craig Bacon, Senior Vice President of Technical Services for Simmons Prepared Foods, Oct. 10-11, 2018
Tyne Morgan, Host, U.S. Farm Report, Sept. 19-20, 2018
Sarah Geisert, Former Sr. Director, Head of Global Product Safety and Regulatory Affairs General Mills, Inc. – Innovation, Technology and Quality, April 4-5, 2018
Jeff Watson, Entrepreneur and Investor, Nov. 2-3, 2017
Mark Fenner, President and CEO of MFA Oil, March 22-23, 2017
Sara Parker Pauley, Director, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Oct. 5-6, 2016
Roger Gardner, Executive Vice President/Chief Culture and Communications Officer at Learfield Sports, April 11-13, 2016
Dr. Wamwari Waichungo, Vice President, Global Scientific and Regulatory Affairs at The Coca-Cola Company, Oct. 20-21, 2015
Kelly Rosenkrans, Director U.S. Affiliate Innovation at Elanco, March 16-18, 2015
David Hill, Executive Vice Present and General Counsel, NRG Energy, Inc., April 10-11, 2014
Matthew Wood, CEO, SCD Probiotics, Sept. 24-25, 2014
Bill Streeter, President and CEO, MFA Incorportated, Oct. 28-29, 2013
Susan Brauner, Director of Public Affairs, Blue Diamond Growers, April 22-24, 2013
Everett Forkner, Owner and President of Forkner Farms, Inc. and Truline Genetics LLC, April 4-5, 2013
Michael D’Ambrose, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Oct. 25-26, 2012
Richard D. Maltsbarger, Senior Vice President of Strategy for Lowe’s, April 9-10, 2012
Dr. Karl Brooks, US EPA Region 7 – Regional Administrator, Nov. 17-18, 2011
Christine Cochran, President of Commodity Markets Council, April 12-13, 2011
David White, Chief, U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service, Feb. 16, 2011
William Buckner, President and CEO of Bayer CropScience LP and a member of the Executive Committee of Bayer CropScience AG, Nov. 12-15, 2010
Dr. Larry Case, CEO and National Advisor National FFA Organization, Nov. 9-10, 2009
Carl Hausmann, chief executive officer, Bunge North America, April 9-10, 2009
Steve Barr, chief executive officer, Osborn & Barr, Oct. 6-7, 2008
Joseph C. Roetheli, chief executive officer, Key Companies and Associates, LLC, April 14-15, 2008
Frank Day, director of commodities operations, The Hershey Company, April 9-10, 2007
Brett Begemann, executive vice president, International Commercial, Monsanto Company, Feb. 28-March 1, 2007
Gary Myers, president and CEO, GaryMyers+Associates, LLC, Oct. 9-10, 2006
Roger W. Krueger, Seed Quality & Seed Regulatory Lead, Monsanto Company
Robert K. Dixon, Head, Energy Technology Policy Division, International Energy Agency
David A. Forsee, President & CEO, MachineryLink, Inc.
Kenneth J. Roberts, Associate Administrator, United States Department of Agriculture
Lise A. Herren, Vice President & Group Executive, Anheuser-Busch Packaging Group
Alexander C. Kemper, Chairman & CEO, Perfect Commerce, Inc.
Kristin M. Perry, President, Perry Agricultural Laboratory, Inc.
Ted C. Jacoby, Jr., President & CEO, T.C. Jacoby & Co.
Morris Burger, Chairman & CEO, Burger’s Ozark Country Cured Hams, Inc.
Bruce W. Read, Director & CEO, Birmingham Zoo, Inc.
Mary Schon, Manager of Science Communication, Walt Disney World: Epcot
R. Crosby Kemper, Jr., Senior Chairman of the Board, UMB Financial Corporation
Lowell Miller, Senior Vice President, retired, Marion Laboratories, Inc.
Jake Halliday, President & CEO, ABC Laboratories, Inc.
Gary E. Hanman, President & CEO, Dairy Farmers of America
Dr. Charles T. Bourland, Food Research Scientist, retired, National Aeronautics & Space Administration
Timothy R. Daugherty, President, North American Grain Division, Farmland Industries, Inc.
Brent Kyte, President & CEO, Pizza Hut of Arizona, Inc.
John R. Peppel, Vice President, Animal Nutrition, Cargill, Inc.
Gerald L. Chrisope, Founder, President & CEO, GyneLogix, Inc.
Robert V. “Bob” Miller, Chairman & CEO, Miller Meester Advertising
Hendrik A. Verfaillie, CEO, Monsanto Company
David E. McCaslin, President, MeriStar Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
John T. Hanes, President, John T. Hanes Company
C.L. William Haw, President & CEO, National Farms, Inc.
Keith G. Boyer, President & CEO, WILFARM, LLC
Sonja Hillgren, Editor, Farm Journal
Alvin E. McQuinn, President & CEO, Ag-Chem Equipment Co., Inc.