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.
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.
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.
Louis Lucas, Director, Business Development, Agriculture
Louis comes to Morris Bixby after a 41-year career with Bayer and Monsanto. Over his career, Louis worked in sales, sales management, executive account management, P&L management and strategy roles. His work experiences included extensive domestic and international travel and business interactions in the United States, Europe, Russia, Asia and South America. His last role at Bayer was Global Non Branded Glyphosate Lead where he was responsible for managing sales of glyphosate technical and glyphosate formulated products. Louis holds degrees in Agriculture Economics and Forest Management from NC State University. Louis brings a passion for assisting people in career transition and is a welcome addition to the Morris Bixby team.
Mike Eade, Executive Account Lead
Mike has served in a wide range of commercial leadership roles in Ag Chem, Seed, and Animal Health. Prior to joining Morris Bixby, Mike worked for the University of Illinois Extension Service, American Cyanamid in various sales, customer service, marketing, and commercial business leadership roles, Rhone Poulenc/Aventis as a regional manager and head of corn/soybean marketing. He joined the Aventis animal health joint venture Merial heading up the Companion Animal Sales group first followed by the large animal business team lead. He served in roles as area and commercial unit lead for DuPont Pioneer. He launched the North American initiative for Plant Impact, a Croda company. His most recent role as the Americas VP of Sales and Marketing for S&W Seed focused on the merger and business development initiative of bringing together the S&W and Sorghum Partners Seed businesses for North and South America. Mike earned his B.S. Ag Econ and Dairy Science degree from the University of Illinois. Mike will be engaged in Morris Bixby’s executive search business involved with all aspects of agriculture, including seed, biotechnology, chemistry, fertilizer, and digital agriculture.
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.
Jamie Rutherford, Recruiting Assistant
Jamie is a graduate of Eureka College. She has a degree in Education and English and has gained extensive technology experience throughout her career. She helps manage our information and data as well as helping with the search process that enables our recruiters to find new talent for our customers.