General Sessions
Michelle Cederberg
The Success-Energy Equation – Embracing the Science of Success to Work and Lead with Confidence

In this high-energy, laugh-out-loud keynote, High Performance Coach and Author Michelle Cederberg shares research from her latest book The Success-Energy Equation.
After years of studying top-in-class professionals, she’s uncovered remarkable truths about what drives success, health, happiness at every level, and offers up a new view on what it takes to optimize high performance in today’s success-driven world.
Michelle delivers a powerful combination of scientific facts, surprising truths, and real-world strategies that when implemented, will set you apart from the average ambitious individual and help you solve your own personal formula for success in profound ways.
• Gain clarity around what success means to you, how to define it for yourself, and why this will help you drive personal and professional growth.
• Develop a better understanding (and newfound sense of humor) about where your energy is being ‘poured, invested or drained’.
• Explore innovative success strategies that will significantly impact how you approach goal setting and productivity.
• Understand the value of physical, mental, and emotional energy to enhance your daily output, team connection, and leadership capabilities.
Curtis Garner
Verdant Robotics

As agriculture embraces an autonomous future, Verdant Robotics’ Sharpshooter precision application system sets a new standard for integrating advanced technology into farm equipment.
This session will explore how the Sharpshooter delivers measurable benefits, addressing the pressing questions of cost control, AI’s role in automation, and the value of high-tech equipment for end users.
Curtis Garner serves as the Chief Commercial Officer at Verdant Robotics, where he leads efforts to bring advanced autonomous farming solutions to market. With a career rooted in agriculture, Curtis brings deep expertise in farming operations and technology adoption.
Prior to joining Verdant, Curtis held leadership roles at Bowles Farming Company and The Morning Star Packing Company, where he gained hands-on experience optimizing farming operations and saw the need for more autonomous and AI-driven technology to help advance the agriculture industry.
With a passion for leveraging technology to solve modern farming challenges, Curtis is committed to helping the industry transition to smarter, more efficient practices. Curtis has extensive speaking experience at key events across the agriculture industry.
Colonel Mark W. Tillman

Colonel (ret) Mark W. Tillman was selected as President George W. Bush’s pilot and the commander of Air Force One in 2001. Col. Tillman commanded AF-1 on Sep 11, 2001 keeping the President and his staff well protected and invisible to those that would do him harm. His plan of escape and evasion ensured the President remained connected to first responders and key decision makers around the world.
Excellence and motivation in a zero-fail environment is the cornerstone of Col. Tillman’s success. Shortly after the liberation of Iraq the President asked to visit the men and women of the United States Military in Iraq. Specifically he wanted to have Thanksgiving dinner with the troops. Traveling to the other side of the world with the President of the United States is challenging in itself, but this mission required Col. Tillman to develop a plan that ensured complete secrecy with little to no help from the US military. Fooling the world, he orchestrated and personally executed a covert operation allowing the President to serve the US servicemen and women Thanksgiving dinner in war torn Baghdad, Iraq without incident. Once again, flawless planning and execution of a mission with high stakes and zero margin for error.
Col Tillman’s distinguished career spanned 30 years in the United States Air Force. Utilizing his Bachelors of Science degree in Chemical Engineering (Tulane Univ ’79) and a Master’s degree in Aeronautical Science (Embry Riddle Aeronautical Univ ’95) he has worked as a Rocket Propulsion Engineer, T-37 Instructor Pilot for undergraduate pilot training, C-130 transport pilot, VIP airlift as a pilot in the Gulfstream III and IV and Presidential pilot in the VC-25 or Boeing 747.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 2004 and promoted to Brigadier General by the President of the United States—the first military line officer to receive this honor (not confirmed by the Senate Armed Services Committee). Honored to have served the White House, proud to be a member of the United States Military, Col Tillman’s career is filled with potentially life altering events—responsibility that few leaders have experienced.
Col Tillman continues to mentor others serving as a consultant in the aerospace industry and flying as a corporate pilot.
Breakout Sessions
Michael Bird, Spindustry
Farmers Buying Journey: How Farmers Research and Buy Online
If you are a dealer, distributor or manufacturer looking to make decisions about your digital and marketing strategy this real evidence will help you make informed decisions or back up decisions you have made.

In 2021, Spindustry conducted an attitudinal study of over 750 farmers citing their attitudes and preferences as they work towards making informed purchases. While you can likely guess the Internet plays a role in their decision making, how different groups use the Internet and when they choose not to may surprise you.
In 2024, Spindustry has refreshed this research to see how the results have changed since 2021, how they have changed as COVID and supply chain issues subside and more!
Farmer’s Buying Journey attendees will learn:
- What’s the first step farmers take in researching a part or piece of equipment?
- What percentage of farmers go to YouTube before they buy?
- How important is social media in the buying process?
- Should I still be printing catalogs?
- How loyal are these customers once they buy that first time?
- How have these attitudes changed since 2021 and what 2024 and beyond looks like for your digital strategy?
Michael Bird is the CEO and Co-Founder of Spindustry. Michael is passionate about how digital technology can help deliver great success to organizations. With a unique focus on manufacturers, distributors and E-Commerce, Spindustry helps generate leads, build connections and drive sales.
Laura Sutherly, Agtivation
Innovate and Elevate: AI Tools for Agricultural Marketing Success
Farm equipment manufacturers are driving the future of farming, but success isn’t just about building great machines—it’s about delivering the right message to customers, dealers, and farmers.
This session will provide an accessible introduction to how farm equipment manufacturers can leverage AI in their marketing efforts. Offering actionable tactics like using AI for content creation, lead generation, and campaign optimization. Attendees will leave with practical steps on how to integrate AI into their marketing workflows, even if they’re new to the technology.
Manufacturers can showcase their products effectively and strengthen dealer partnerships and customer loyalty by adopting AI-driven marketing strategies —paving the way for a more connected, innovative, and successful agricultural future.

Laura Sutherly has spent over 25 years helping agricultural businesses connect with customers through smarter marketing. As the founder of Agtivation, she’s worked with 550+ clients and developed 380+ websites, focusing on practical, ROI-driven strategies that make a real difference for ag dealerships.
Laura is also an experienced speaker, sharing her insights with organizations like Merck Animal Health, Monster Jobs, the Ohio Farm Bureau, and the Ohio Produce Growers & Marketers Association. She enjoys breaking down complex topics like AI and digital marketing into simple, actionable steps that businesses can use to grow.
With roots in family farming, Laura blends her ag background and digital expertise to help precision ag dealerships connect authentically with corn and soybean growers across the United States. She is also active in her community, supporting ag education and mentoring future entrepreneurs.
Laura’s goal is to make marketing approachable and effective, helping businesses grow while staying true to their agricultural roots.