Innovation Celebrated During Global Entrepreneurship Week

Agribusiness is one of the largest industries in northwest Ohio and it has a positive impact that stretches across the globe. Innovation in agribusiness as well as supply chain and logistics topics were part of the day’s celebration in conjunction with Global Entrepreneurship Week.

The morning program was entitled “Gasoline and Ethanol Supply Chain Integration.” A panel of local experts started out the day discussing how The Andersons, Inc. and Marathon Petroleum Company are connected throughout the world.

Panelists included:

Chris Gulgin ‘10, Director of Finance, Ethanol Group, Andersons, Inc.
Rod Harris, Manager, Business Development, The Andersons, Inc.
Neil McKinstray, President, Ethanol Group, The Andersons, Inc.
Dave Whikehart, Director, Product Supply and Optimization, Marathon Petroleum Company
Laurie George, Manager, Biofuels Trading & Scheduling, Marathon Petroleum Company

The panel was moderated by Charlie Carr, Manager, Business and Product Development, The Andersons, Inc.

The afternoon keynote was Greg Jaffe, Director of Biotechnology,Center for Science in the Public Interest, who presented on genetically modified organisms.  

Other presentations included “Succession” by Paul Croy, Attorney at Law, Robison, Curphey, and O'Connell and Ed Sharek, Product Development and Sourcing Manager of CMC Group who discussed “GAP - Good Agricultural Practices.” 

In the late afternoon, local agribusinesses discussed how they got started, where they are now, and what they have experienced during their entrepreneurial journey.

Attendees of Global E-Week enjoyed food samplings and heard case studies from Mom Wilson's Country Mart, Monteleone Peppers, The Cookie Jar, and Willy's Inc.

Concluding the event was the announcement of which BGSU students were selected as Hatchlings to participate in the 2015 Hatch program, similar to the hit television show “Shark Tank.”   Read more about the Hatchling announcement.