Meet the Morris Bixby Team
Jay Morris, President
Jay is a veteran of the agricultural, biotechnology, seed and crop protection business with extensive experience in staffing and business management. He has a proven track record in sales, sales management, marketing and general management with American Cyanamid, ConAgra/UAP and Monsanto. He earned a BS from Western Illinois University.
Allen Smith, Managing Partner
Allen has deep agriculture industry experience, starting his career in sales and marketing with American Cyanamid/BASF. Over the course of the next 15 years, he moved into various commercial leadership roles including General Manager, Canada based in Toronto and VP, Canada, Asia and Global Specialty Products. While living in Singapore, he joined Monsanto first managing the Southeast Asia business and then advancing to VP, Asia Pacific Region and moved to Lyon, France as VP, Europe, Middle East & Africa Region. Other roles in Monsanto included Strategic Accounts and Global Business Development (Chemistry). Allen earned his B.S. Ag Econ from the University of Missouri and MBA from Cardinal Stritch University.
Chris Gerth, Executive Consultant
Chris has extensive experience in the finance sector. He previously worked for Farm Credit Services, specializing in ag finance and crop insurance. In addition, he has several years of recruiting experience in food, fiber, grain and industrial processor industries. This, combined with his unique critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, has made him an industry-leading recruiter. He earned a B.S. from Illinois State University, where he served as president of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity.
Bill Randell, Executive Consultant
Bill is a well-known veteran of the agricultural crop protection business, having extensive sales and sales management experience with Stauffer Chemical, American Cyanamid and Monsanto. As a Regional Account Manager with Monsanto, his duties also involved strategic management of the Asgrow and Dekalb brand seed business. In addition, Bill has served on the board of directors of the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, and as chairman of the Industry Communications committee of the Mid America CropLife Association. Bill’s hardwired desire to help people and his natural ability to network have made him a leading industry recruiter. His bachleor’s degree is from the University of Illinois.
Lisa Taphorn, Executive Consultant
Lisa enhances our animal/genetics business with her previous sales experience in both the pharmaceutical and medical sales field. Lisa continues to be a leading industry recruiter with a passion to deliver results within the ever-changing and diverse climate of the animal health business. Her persistence allows her to deliver options for her customers; a positive asset to your strategic placement needs. Lisa earned her B.S. from Illinois State University with majors in both marketing and international business.
Michelle Elston, Information Manager
Michelle is a graduate of Illinois State University. She gained comprehensive computer skills as a business administration major with emphasis on information systems. In addition, Michelle gained extensive business experience as a human resources intern at Caterpillar’s transmission business unit. Michelle is a certified internet recruiter providing MBG with extensive internet sourcing techniques. Michelle keeps MBG on the cutting edge by focusing her technology expertise to source and manage information which enables us to deliver results for clients. She’s the foundation of our search process and essential in finding new talent for our customers.
Jordan Morris, Executive Consultant
Jordan comes to us from Hub International where he was a risk management consultant targeting large companies in the agriculture sector. He earned a B.A. from Illinois Wesleyan University with a major in risk management and financial services. Jordan’s ability to deeply understand his clients’ needs and delivery of top qualified talent have made him an industry leading recruiter.
Dan Higgins, Executive Consultant
Dan is a veteran in crop protection, turf, new product development, basic manufacture, distribution and retail with Bayer, ConAgra/UAP/UHS/Richter. Proven track record in sales, sales management, marketing, product development, training and recruiting. He earned a AB.S. and M.S. degrees from Auburn University and completed the Agribusiness Executives Program at Cornell University.