General Sessions
Alex Russomagno, Senior Manager of Strategic Engagement for AGCO Ventures
The Future of Ag Technology
Wednesday, March 25 at 12:00 p.m.
Alex Russomagno is responsible for sourcing investment and partnership opportunities, executing transactions, and managing relationships with the venture community and portfolio companies. Before joining AGCO, Alex was a Senior Manager at Apeel Sciences, holding positions in Product Management, Commercialization and Strategic Planning & Analysis. Prior to joining Apeel, Alex worked at Bank of America (BAC) focusing on strategic principal investing in early- and growth-stage technology companies. In addition to the due diligence, market analyses and deal structuring, she managed ongoing relationships with portfolio companies to support performance and long-term strategic alignment. Alex has a MBA from the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, with certificates in Food Systems and Sustainability. She has an undergraduate degree from Villanova University with a major in Finance.
Jeremy Groeteke, Senior Global Leader at Syngenta
How Data and AI Are Transforming Global Agriculture
Thursday, March 26 at 8:30 a.m.
Jeremy Groeteke focuses on IT, digital strategy, and how data, AI, and emerging technologies are shaping agriculture at a global scale at Syngenta. His work sits at the intersection of technology, business strategy, and real-world agricultural application. He is a dynamic agribusiness executive with 20+ years of leadership in digital transformation, operational excellence, and strategic growth. As the Global Head of IT & Digital Strategy at Syngenta Group, he leads the Vegetable and Flowers IT & Digital initiatives, driving AI, data, and digital agronomy innovations to enhance profitability and sustainability. Jeremy has led multimillion-dollar product launches, built global teams, and forged key industry partnerships. Passionate about the intersection of agriculture and technology, he helps shape the future of digital farming through strategic planning and scalable solutions.
Breakout Sessions
Matt Beigel, Trent Waltenberg, and Bryant Hintz of Sentry Insurance
Property & Casualty Insurance – Manage Your Risk
Wednesday, March 25 at 1:45 p.m.
A team from Sentry Insurance, a FEMA Endorsed Service, will discuss the changes seen in the property market, the factors leading to those changes, and how they are impacting your coverages and costs. Sentry will also provide insight on ways you can partner with your carrier and agent to ensure your property is appropriately valued and protected.
As Territory Underwriters for our Farm Equipment Manufacturers Program (FEMP), Matt Beigel and Trent Waltenberg work directly with manufacturers. This is an ever-evolving industry, so they approach every conversation with open ears and an open mind. They learn from customers, and in turn apply that knowledge to help them find opportunities to effectively protect their businesses and employees.
Matt and Trent thrive on seeing customers achieve understanding and peace of mind because of what Sentry can offer them. Matt and Trent are licensed insurance professionals and can therefore work directly with you for your coverage needs, or can work through your agent.
Bryant Hintz, a Senior Safety Consultant with Sentry Insurance, offers safety services to assist manufacturers with various lines of coverage placed with Sentry, including product liability, workers’ compensation and property. He works directly with manufacturers on services tailored specifically to their needs. Whether this includes product safety, employee safety or facility safety, these services are focused on improving safety, protecting businesses, and minimizing liability and loss exposure.
Zac Engler, Chief AI Officer at C4 Technology Services
AI Workshop – Learn the New Core Trade Skill of Prompting
Thursday, March 26 at 10:00 a.m.
How you “talk” to AI determine your success in getting the results you need. AI knows a lot of information, but it has no idea what you want unless you spell it out. Learn how to craft your ask to save you real time and money. Spend less time behind a desk doing paperwork and more time doing the work that actually earns money.
Zac Engler has spent the past decade at the intersection of leadership and AI-driven innovation, helping executives and teams adopt training, automation, and strategy frameworks that unlock growth while keeping people at the center. Since 2016, he has worked at companies like Apple, Amplifon, and Sanctuary AI, hiring talent and training leaders on how machine learning, RPA, and custom agent design can streamline operations and spark sustainable innovation.
As Chief AI Officer at C4 Technology Services, Zac helps companies scale AI operations, deliver executive training programs, and deploy custom agents that improve efficiency and open new revenue streams. His approach is rooted in the belief that AI isn’t here to replace people, it’s here to empower them. The organizations that thrive will be those that prepare their teams to lead in an AI-first future.
Zac is also the author of Turning On Machines (2025), which explores how leaders can navigate the rise of automation while positioning their organizations for long-term success. The book blends history, strategy, and reflection exercises to help readers understand both the urgency and opportunity of this moment.
His mission is straightforward: help leaders stay ahead of the curve. The old debate about whether AI will take jobs misses the point. AI will amplify those who know how to use it and leave behind those who don’t. Zac’s work provides organizations with the clarity, confidence, and playbooks they need to achieve AI-enabled business growth, sustainable adoption, and human-centered digital transformation.
David James and Chelsea Bodin of Nilan Johnson Lewis
Employment Law Whirlwind Tour: Drug Testing, Litigation Avoidance, and the Opportunity to Ask Your Questions
Thursday, March 26 at 10:00 a.m.
Attorneys David James and Chelsea Bodin of FEMA Endorsed Services Partner Nilan Johnson will be informing members on drug-testing updates and supervisor/HR tips to avoid litigation. In addition, they’ll offer their expertise in an open forum, where members are welcome to ask questions on the above topics or anything employment-law related.
Dave, a Shareholder with the firm, helps clients transform themselves by designing and implementing complex policies or transactions, navigating challenging collective bargaining agreements, and resolving complicated litigation. His clients consider Dave an extension of their human resources and labor relations, a true partner.
Whether it’s appearing in court for single-plaintiff discrimination claims, performing pay equity audits, drafting employment policies and procedures, or negotiating collective bargaining agreements, Chelsea provides a wide range of labor and employment litigation and consulting services to help her clients succeed and stay ahead.