MICHELE DRAKE
Fairbanks,IN
Summary
Driven Ag professional with a broad range of experience in Grain Marketing/Merchandising/Handling/Training with a passion for helping producers with marketing and risk management. Seeking to leverage an extensive industry background to take the next career step with a respected organization.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
SENIOR RECRUITMENT ASSOCIATE
One Degree Agriculture
Remote
07.2024 - 12.2024
- Collaborated with hiring managers on developing appropriate job descriptions and selection criteria
- Analyzed data from applicant tracking systems to monitor recruitment trends and develop more effective strategies
- Draft submittal forms and assist candidates with resume overviews
- Provided comprehensive feedback to unsuccessful applicants in a timely manner
- Utilized social media platforms to source passive candidates for current openings
- Reviewed resumes and applications to determine suitability for various positions
SERIES 3 LICENSED BROKER/REGIONAL MARKET ADVISOR
AIO Ag, LLC
Remote
08.2023 - 04.2024
- Managed producers across17 states in the US, assisting with grain marketing, risk management, logistics, and brokerage accounts
- Increased managed bushel contract by20% in the Fall2023 sign up of both1 year and2 year programs
GRAIN MARKETING SPECIALIST - REMOTE
Indigo Agriculture
US
07.2020 - 07.2023
- Manage purchase and sales of grain and feedstocks in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Indiana
- Consistently analyzed all USDA reports to assist producers' grain marketing decision making, including S&D reports, crop progress report, etc
- Provide Risk Management Services to producers to protect farm ROI
- Evaluate local basis markets to determine best delivery options for producers
- Assist producers with logistics by utilizing the Indigo Transport network
- Partner with Grain Marketing Advisory firms to assist in finding the best available basis markets for their producers
- Increased active customer count by over300% in the first six months working in my territory
- Assisted in closing Indigo's grain book of business until all contracts were finalized
GRAIN MERCHANDISER/ORIGINATOR/TRAINER
Gavilon Grain
Shelburn, IN
05.2013 - 07.2020
- Played key role in overall facility handle and margin YOY, which led to over $12 million in facility expansions
- Assisted management in strategic planning of logistics, basis setting, and purchase/sale projections
- Monitored and managed daily hedge positions of two (Shelburn and Carlisle, IN) locations
- Assisted in training new merchandiser trainees sent to location
- Primary grain merchandiser for two (Shelburn and Carlisle, IN) rail/truck facilities with combined handle of14 million bushels plus3-4 million bushels of cross country trading
- Analyzed USDA reports including S&D and Crop Progress Reports to assist in producer's marketing decisions and forecasting company needs and expectations
- Built long lasting customer relationships by becoming a trusted advisor to our producers providing risk management services to increase both company and on farm revenue
- Leveraged risk management tools to expand elevator reach and increase grain handle by over30%
- Managed freight logistics for both facilities and cross country book of businesses
- Acted as interim location manager several times over my tenure at Shelburn, managing mix & blend, harvest unload/load out hours, inventory tracking for space needs, weekly/monthly size ups, and monthly close P&L reporting
LOCATION ACCOUNTING CLERK/SCALE HOUSE OPERATOR
Gavilon Grain
Shelburn, IN
06.2000 - 05.2013
- Responsible for accurate and timely completion of all ticket entry, Accounts Payables/Receivables and Grain Settlements
- Provided onsite training of our accounting software, Agris, across Gavilon's US facility network
- Monitored hedge balancing and position tracking
- Assisted with Grain buying using Risk Management Tools
- Weighing/grading inbound/outbound trucks
Skills
- Grain Marketing
- Grain Origination
- Sales and Marketing
- Marketing Strategies
- OTC Derivatives
- Grain Accounting
- Communication
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Risk Management
- Relationship Building
- Pricing Structures
- Strategic Planning
- Hedging and Basis Trading
- Team Collaboration
- Technology Optimization/Implementation
- Customized Training
Certification
Series3 Brokerage License
Timeline
SENIOR RECRUITMENT ASSOCIATE
One Degree Agriculture
07.2024 - 12.2024
SERIES 3 LICENSED BROKER/REGIONAL MARKET ADVISOR
AIO Ag, LLC
08.2023 - 04.2024
GRAIN MARKETING SPECIALIST - REMOTE
Indigo Agriculture
07.2020 - 07.2023
GRAIN MERCHANDISER/ORIGINATOR/TRAINER
Gavilon Grain
05.2013 - 07.2020
LOCATION ACCOUNTING CLERK/SCALE HOUSE OPERATOR
Gavilon Grain
06.2000 - 05.2013
Series3 Brokerage License