L to R: David Darr, Andrea M. Grube, VP and Dean Bobby Moser, Melanie Flax Wilt, and Jenifer L. Weaver

David Darr
B.S. 1999, M.S. 2001
Agribusiness and Applied Economics

Since 2001 David has been employed by Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), a national dairy cooperative that was formed in 1998. Starting as a market analyst, after five years he was named Director of Industry Research and Analysis. Since January 2008, David has held the position of Vice President of Sustainability and Public Affairs. In addition to overseeing sustainability initiatives, he leads development of farm services that support dairy farm families, national customer relations, and global industry relations. He has met with agricultural leaders from China, New Zealand, Australia, Namibia, England, The Netherlands, and Mexico.

Raised on the family farm in Newcomerstown, Ohio, David earned his B.S. and M.S. from Ohio State in Agribusiness and Applied Economics. While working on his undergraduate degree he participated in a study abroad trip to the Czech Republic. While working on his M.S., David was invited to present at an international conference in Sorrento, Italy regarding biotechnology in agriculture. His work was included in a book that was published on the subject. In 2005 he received an MBA from Rockhurst University.

David is a member of the Kansas City Agribusiness Council, the DFA Cares Board of Directors, the National Dairy Shrine Board of Directors, Dairy Management Inc's Sustainability Council. He is also a lifetime member of The Ohio State University Alumni Association.

David and his wife, Cori, live in Kansas City, Missouri with their son, Riley.

Andrea M. Grube
B.S. 2000
Agribusiness and Applied Economics

Andrea earned her B.S. from Ohio State in 2000 with a degree in Agribusiness and Applied Economics. While at Ohio State, she was actively involved with the Agribusiness/NAMA Club, the NAMA Student Marketing Team, the Meats Judging Team, and the Ag & Natural Resources Recognition Program Steering Committee. She was also an Ag Ambassador. She also participated in a study abroad trip to Mexico that focused on NAFTA and rural development.

Currently a solutions specialist with John Deere, Andrea works with dealers in Southern Illinois. Employed by John Deere since graduating from Ohio State, Andrea started as a marketing representative in their Ag Management Solutions division. She was responsible for all strategic and tactical marketing activities for JDLink Machine Messenger, a wireless communications technology for tractors. In 2002, Andrea moved up to a marketing communications specialist position where she served as editor for a quarterly AMS customer newsletter and biannual engineering newsletter. She also worked with the advertising department to promote and increase customer awareness of the precision agriculture product line. After three years, Andrea became Senior Marketing Representative for the Large Row Crop Tractor Marketing Group in the Waterloo Works division. There she authored sales materials and developed product introduction classes. Then from 2006 to 2010, Andrea worked as an AMS regional specialist for the Champaign Region, which includes areas of Illinois and Indiana. While she managed the $12.3 million dollar AMS sales territory, AutoTrac sales increased 33% in 2008 and 72% in 2007.   

Andrea is currently a member of the National Agri-Marketing Association, Champaign County Young Ag Leaders, Junior League of Champaign-Urbana, and Junior Achievement. 

Andrea is a resident of Champaign, Illinois.

Jenifer L. Weaver
B.S. 1997
Agribusiness and Applied Economics

After graduating with her B.S. in Agribusiness and Applied Economics from Ohio State, Jenifer took a position with Unverferth Manufacturing. She worked with their advertising and public relations office for two years. Then she accepted a position with Deerfield Farm Services as Grain Department Manager and Grain Merchandiser.  Jenifer manages six country elevators in Northeasterm Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. She provides oversight for the origination, merchandising, shipping, receiving, and accounting of approximately 6.5 million bushels of corn, soybeans, and wheat.

While at Ohio State, Jenifer held offices in the Agribusiness/NAMA club and the Collegiate Ambassador Program. She was a coordinator for Experience College for a Day and Co-Chair for the 1997 College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Recognition Banquet. She was named a Top 10 Senior in the College and was recognized as Outstanding Agribusiness Club Member for four years. 
 
In addition to her position as Grain Committee Chair for the Ohio Agribusiness Association, Jenifer is also a certified grain merchant for White Commercial Corporation. She is also a past member of the College's Alumni Board where she served on the Recruitment Committee and Senior Toast Committee.

Jenifer has received two Legislative Citations for Volunteerism from the State of Ohio. She is currently Chair of the Austintown Relay for Life. In 2009, she was key to helping raise more than $100,000 for this event. She is a past board member of the Mahoning County Farm Bureau where she held a variety of offices and participated in state-wide committees. For her efforts, Jenifer received the 2010 Ohio Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Award.

Jenifer is a resident of North Jackson, Ohio.

Melanie Flax Wilt
B.S. 1998
Agricultural Communication

Melanie earned her B.S. in Agricultural Communications from Ohio State in 1998. In 2010, she earned Accreditation in Public Relations from the Public Relations Society of America. While a student at Ohio State, she worked for the College's Communications & Technology Department. After graduating, she filled in for an associate editor who was on sabbatical. In 1999, she went to work for the Ohio Florists' Association as a media relations manager. After two years she started with Ohio Department of Agriculture as a public information officer. Before she left ODA in 2006, she had risen through the ranks as Chief of Markets then Communication Director. Her next position was Communication Director for Avetec, which she held for two years before she left to form her own company-Wilt Public Relations.

A Rotarian with the Springfield 98 Rotary Club, Melanie is also a member of the Public Relations Society of America, the American Horticulture Society, Ohio Farm Bureau, and the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. She is a graduate of the Ohio Leadership Institute and the National Association of Professional Women Clark County Leadership Academy.

Melanie serves as Volunteer Chair of Springfield in Full Bloom, a part of the America in Bloom community pride competition. She also serves on the boards of directors for Wellspring, and Leadership Clark County. She serves on the Executive Committee of the Clark County Farm Bureau.  

Melanie and her husband, Chad, live in South Charleston, Ohio.  They are the parents of CJ and Addison.