David Howard
Pekin
Summary
Results-oriented Plant Operator with demonstrated expertise in boosting employee productivity and optimizing operational efficiency.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Plant Operator
Hopedale Ag -HG&N/HarBrand
Hopedale
10.2024 - Current
- Enhanced employee productivity and engagement through performance oversight.
- Directed maintenance and upkeep of facilities and equipment to ensure operational efficiency.
- Scheduled daily fertilizer and crop protection operations to maximize yield potential.
- Collaborated with sales team to maintain high customer satisfaction levels.
- Reduced operational pressure on sales team, allowing focus on profitable sales growth.
- Managed fall ordering, delivery, loading, application, and inventory for liquid suspension fertilizer.
- Oversaw all aspects of crop protection products: receiving, mixing, loading, and inventory management.
Pellet Mill Manager
Earlybird Feed and
Farmersville
12.2021 - 10.2024
- Managed daily operations for feed production and quality assurance processes.
- Oversaw inventory management and coordinated supply chain activities for materials.
- Implemented safety protocols, ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
- Trained and mentored new staff on operational procedures and equipment usage.
Logistics Specialist
Earlybird Feed And Fertilizer
Goodfield
02.2015 - 12.2021
- Managed satellite dry fertilizer and NH3 location operations at Bell Grain, Deer Creek, IL.
- Directed limestone and organic product shipping, dispatching, and application processes.
- Delivered starter fertilizer and liquid side-dress products directly to customer fields.
- Handled sales, billing, receiving, and delivery of corn, soybeans, and wheat.
- Oversaw maintenance of liquid side dress application equipment efficiently.
- Supervised upkeep of starter and liquid side-dress delivery tanker fleet.
- Backup chemical load bay operator
Owner/Operator
Howard Seed Agency
Green Valley
07.2004 - 11.2014
- Managed custom mechanical seed corn detasseling and male row destruction business across Tazewell, Mason, and McDonough Counties.
- Operated soybean seed treatment business to enhance product quality.
- Oversaw Precision Planting sales and service operations, ranking in top 10% of sales from 2010 to 2012.
- Sold Pioneer and Channel Seed to expand market reach.
Various
Logan/Ag-Land FS
Pekin
06.1989 - 06.2004
- Crop Specialist/Plant Manager, Hartsburg, IL. 1989 to 1992
- Plant Manager 1992-1995
- Built a chemical mixing and loading facility in Hartsburg, IL. 1993
- Territory Service Coordinator, Green Valley, IL. 1996-1997
- Crop Specialist, Lincoln, IL, 1998–2002.
- Seed Sales Agronomist, Logan, Tazewell, and Peoria Counties, 2002 - 2004.
Education
Delavan High School
Delavan, IL05-1980
Attended 1980 - 1983 - Animal Science
University of Illinois
Champaign, ILSkills
- Equipment maintenance and inventory management
- Crop protection and quality assurance
- Performance oversight and process improvements
- Supply chain coordination and operational efficiency
- Customer relationship management and effective communication
- Training, mentoring, and team collaboration
- Problem solving and recordkeeping
- Safety-oriented practices
Affiliations
Volunteered for 16 years as Biscuits and Gravy cook for Delavan American Legion Post for weekly Sunday and Holiday Community Breakfasts. Cooked every 4-5 week
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Plant Operator
Hopedale Ag -HG&N/HarBrand
10.2024 - Current
Pellet Mill Manager
Earlybird Feed and
12.2021 - 10.2024
Logistics Specialist
Earlybird Feed And Fertilizer
02.2015 - 12.2021
Owner/Operator
Howard Seed Agency
07.2004 - 11.2014
Various
Logan/Ag-Land FS
06.1989 - 06.2004
Delavan High School
Attended 1980 - 1983 - Animal Science
University of Illinois