L to R: John Staubus, William L. Flinn, and Kenneth E. Dountz

Kenneth E. Dountz
B.S. 1964
Agricultural Economics

Kenneth has remained involved with CFAES by serving on various alumni advisory committees and assisting with the NAMA Marketing Team as an industry advisor. He meets with the team two hours a week and helps them to select realistic markets and retail outlets. Outside of the meetings, he compiles additional information to further help the team's decisions.  His real world experiences compliment the coursework and helps foster an understanding of challenges and opportunities the students will face in their careers. For his work with the team, he was recognized in 2010 with the Meritorious Service to Students Award.

Beyond the NAMA marketing team, Kenneth has served on the College's Stewardship Taskforce, the OARDC-OSUE Economic Development Initiative, and the Food Science New Product Licensing Opportunity Group. He is also a member of the Vice President's Development Board.

Kenneth earned his B.S. in Agricultural Economics in 1964.  After graduating, he worked for General Foods Company in various sales positions and then Warner Lambert Company as their Director of Sales until 1976. Before retiring in 2002, Kenneth spent 26 years with the J.M. Smucker Company. Starting as a national sales manager, he was promoted in 1984 to Vice President of Sales.     

Kenneth and his wife, Molly, live in Dublin, Ohio.  They are the parents of Tom Dountz, Susan Cart, and Kathy Kessler.

William L. Flinn
B.S. 1960, M.S. 1961, Ph.D. 1966
Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology

President of the Midwest Consortium for International Activities for over twenty years, William helped the College obtain grants and contracts, which helped further develop the international dimension of CFAES. These programs helped in the recruitment of graduate students, provided opportunities for students to participate in study abroad programs, and provided opportunities for researchers to conduct collaborative overseas research. The vast networks he developed were instrumental in developing partnerships with institutions in the Dominican Republic, Southeast Asia, and Africa.

William earned his B.S. in Agricultural Economics in 1960, M.S. in 1961, and PhD in 1966-all from Ohio State. In the mid-1970's he was hired to lead OSU's Rural Sociology program that was a part of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology. In ten years, the program became one of the leading programs of its kind in the United States. He became president of the Rural Sociological Society and was able to further strengthen Ohio State's program. In later years, William returned to an academic appointment within the College to lead the Social Responsibility Initiative.

William has also stayed active with Alpha Gamma Rho, an honorary agriculture fraternity. A member as a student, he has contributed regularly over the course of his career and worked closely with other alumni from the College who are also members. Recently, at the National Convention in Chicago he was elected to the board of directors.

Recently recognized by the Australian Universities for his seminal works on agrarianism, William has also received the Pomerene Teaching Award, Alpha Gamma Rho's Brother of the Century Award, the Distinguished Rural Sociologist Award, and Gamma Sigma Delta's Outstanding International Award and Outstanding Research Award. He was also a 1964 recipient of a U.S. Fulbright Scholarship to Columbia.

William and his wife, Susan, live in Columbus, Ohio. They are the parents of Anne and James.

John R. Staubus
Dairy Nutrition

After earning his B.S., M.S., and PhD from the University of Illinois, John joined the Department of Dairy Science and Ohio Cooperative Extension Service. Starting as an assistant professor, he rose to full professor before his retirement. His work in dairy nutrition made him known to many dairy farmers as well as industry professionals. At a time before forage analysis and computer programs for ration balancing, John was considered by many to be the first and best source for nutrition information. He and his colleagues helped bring the technology for large-scale forage analysis to the state's dairy industry.

Also known for his undergraduate and graduate instruction, his students appreciated his background in production agriculture. His lectures were based on a combination of current research and his professional farm experience. In addition to his work in CFAES, John was also asked to present lectures to veterinary students.

John has been a member of the American Dairy Science Association, the American Society of Animal Science, Epsilon Sigma Phi, and Ohio State's Faculty Council and University Senate. He has served as an officer for Alpha Zeta, Gamma Sigma Delta, Ohio Dairyman's Association, and the Ohio State Extension Professor Association.

John is also a member of the United Methodist Church and the Ohio State Golf Club. He and his wife, Lorene, live in Columbus, Ohio. They are the parents of Anna Marie Jones.