Scot Ferguson
Richmond,VA
Summary
Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Growing
Gotham Greens
08.2022 - 05.2024
- Commissioned three state-of-the-art greenhouse facilities to achieve full production.
- Built and refined KPI suite to define areas of continuous improvement.
- Developed a strong, passionate team of growers capable of achieving the highest quality throughput.
- Developed and trained SOPs for growing practices including fertilization, climate control, nursery management, and irrigation.
- Identified and prioritized critical infrastructure repair and maintenance schedules.
- Implemented the highest level of food safety and operational excellence.
- Forecasted production, developed growing models, and analyzed energy use to drive profitability.
Crop Control Manager
Distinctive Floral
08.2015 - 07.2022
- Lead and managed a team of growers to create a culture of accountability, respect, and trust.
- Developed a crop control database and analysis tools, dashboards, and reports.
- Analyzed data and implemented continuous improvement projects.
- Trained staff on equipment and control systems usage and optimization.
- Maintained budget alignment and grew company revenue.
Research Assistant
Center for Integrated Pest Management
12.2014 - 08.2015
- Translated and interpreted insect and microbiological pest data and manuscripts and from a wide variety of technical sources.
- Maintained a database of distribution, host, and biological data.
- ·Worked on an interdisciplinary team on database improvement projects for information relevant to Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA-APHIS PPQ) data requirements.
Research Faculty
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science
09.2013 - 08.2014
- Executed environmental research and restoration projects.
- Utilized advanced statistical analysis tools to interpret research data and draw meaningful conclusions for dissemination among stakeholders.
- Published articles in prestigious journals, demonstrating expertise and contributing to the body of knowledge in the field.
Greenhouse Hydroponic Research Technician
Department of Agriculture, Nutrition and Veterinary Sciences
11.2012 - 08.2014
- Designed and constructed a production-scale constant-flow hydroponic system for production of vegetables sold to food suppliers in conjunction with an extension agriculture program.
- Conducted greenhouse research on minimal nutrient and water requirements, standardization of organic nutrient fertilizers, and impact of wavelength on antioxidant content.
Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science
01.2010 - 08.2012
- Conducted research on improving rangeland restoration in invaded landscapes using physiological aspects of root architecture and growth dynamics in native plants.
- Traveled to Western China to collect rangeland data for a multi-disciplinary international research program on arid-land invasion ecology.
- Calibrated and utilized technical laboratory equipment.
- Maintained detailed records and standard operating protocols to verify quality control of sample analysis.
Rangeland Ecologist
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science
05.2007 - 12.2010
- Worked for the Nevada Desert Free Air Carbon Enrichment (FACE) project during decommissioning and destructive harvest of plant and soils in the field.
- Developed and implemented experimental field protocols for belowground sampling.
- Hired personnel, organized trips, and collected plant and soil samples from sites.
- Analyzed samples in the laboratory, prepared samples for isotope analysis.
- Analyzed data with statistical software, prepared reports and presentations.
Education
Master of Science - Natural Resources and Environmental Science
University of Nevada, Reno
08.2012
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of Nevada, Reno
05.2007
Skills
- Leadership and Communication
- Problem Solving
- Data analysis
- Database management
- Lean Manufacturing Tools (DMAIC, Root cause analysis, Kaizen)
- Greenhouse control systems
- Technical proficiency in analytical equipment
- Strategic Planning
- Verbal and written communication
- People Management
TRAINING
- Leadership and Coaching Training, PeopleSpark, 2017-2022
- Lean Leadership and Problem Solving, Lean Partners, 2017-2022
- Six Sigma Green Belt Course, Manufacturer’s Alliance, 2018
SOFTWARE
- Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio
- Priva Office
- Excel
- Microsoft Office package (Power point, Teams, SharePoint)
- ArcGIS
PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
- Ferguson, S. D., Leger, E. A., Li, J., and Nowak, R. S. (2015). Natural selection favors root investment in native grasses during restoration of invaded fields. Journal of Arid Environments. 116: 11-17.
- Ferguson, S. D., Omaye, S. T., and Saliga, R. P. III. (2014) Investigating the Effects of Hydroponic Media on Quality of Greenhouse Grown Leafy Greens. International Journal of Agricultural Extension. 2(3): 227-234.
- Trowbridge, W., Albright, T., Ferguson, S.D.,Li, J. Perryman, B., and Nowak, R.S. (2013) Explaining patterns of species dominance in the shrub steppe systems of the Junggar Basin (China) and Great Basin (USA). Journal of Arid Land. 5(4):415-427.
- Sonderegger, D. L., Ogle, K., Evans, R. D., Ferguson, S. D., and Nowak, R. S. (2013) Temporal dynamics of fine roots under long-term exposure to elevated CO2 in the Mojave Desert. New Phytologist. 138: 127–138.
- Perkins, L. B., Blank, R., Ferguson, S. D.,Johnson, D. W., Rau, B., and Lindemann, W. C. (2013) Quick start guide to soil methods for ecologists. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics. 15(4): 237-244.
- Ferguson S. D. and Nowak R. S. (2011). Transitory effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on fine root dynamics in an arid ecosystem do not increase long-term soil carbon input from fine root litter. New Phytologist. 190: 953-967.
- Ferguson, S.D. Investigations of physiological and competitive relationships of Elymusspecies related to establishment in the Great Basin, USA. Master’s Thesis, College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resource Sciences. August, 2012.
- Ferguson, S.D., Munson-Decker, J.P., and Nowak, R.S. (2014) Chapter 2: Present-day Pinyon-Juniper woodland distribution in Central Nevada: Lasting effects of historical harvest. In: Final Report to US Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management. BLM NV Historical Pinyon-Juniper Woodland Distribution in Central Nevada Project, Agreement Number L09AC15542.
PRESENTATIONS
- Ferguson, S.D., Li, J. & Nowak, R.S. (July, 2012) Rooting Patterns and Resource Acquisition by Cheatgrass and Native Grasses. International Symposium on Invasive Plants and Global Changes, Urumqi, China.
- Ferguson S.D. and Nowak R.S. (August, 2010) Elevated atmospheric CO2 does not increase root biomass or carbon stocks in the Mojave Desert. Ecological Society of America Conference, August 2010. Contributed Oral Session 45-8.
- Sonderegger D.L., Ogle. K., Nowak R.S., and Ferguson S.D (August, 2010) Temporal dynamics of root growth under long-term exposure to elevated CO2 in the Mojave Desert. Ecological Society of America Conference, Organized Oral Session 13-4.
- Ferguson S. D. (May, 2007) Abscisic Acid: toward a reliable method for endogenous quantification. Seminar on Biology Independent study projects.
- Nowak R. S., Ferguson S. D., Young A., Aranjuelo I., and Landmesser J. (August 2005) Fine root production under elevated CO2 for a Mojave Desert ecosystem. Ecological Society of America Conference. Contributed oral session: Arid Lands: plant response to precipitation.
Timeline
Director of Growing
Gotham Greens
08.2022 - 05.2024
Crop Control Manager
Distinctive Floral
08.2015 - 07.2022
Research Assistant
Center for Integrated Pest Management
12.2014 - 08.2015
Research Faculty
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science
09.2013 - 08.2014
Greenhouse Hydroponic Research Technician
Department of Agriculture, Nutrition and Veterinary Sciences
11.2012 - 08.2014
Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science
01.2010 - 08.2012
Rangeland Ecologist
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science
05.2007 - 12.2010
Master of Science - Natural Resources and Environmental Science
University of Nevada, Reno
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of Nevada, Reno
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