Careers

Position:           Independent Virtual Board Director (2)
Company:         Arkansas Valley Seeds Inc.
Location:          Denver, Colorado, USA
Website:          https://avseeds.com/

ABOUT US

Arkansas Valley Seeds Inc. (“AVS”) is not just a provider of exceptional seed varieties, they are a partner in bringing life to landscapes, fostering growth and reclaiming nature’s beauty. Since their journey began in 1945 in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, they have cultivated trust and quality sprouting into an industry leader in non-commodity branded seed solutions and agronomy services. In 2019, Market Maker Agriculture (“MM”), an investor in agribusinesses, acquired the company.

With a rich history of 77 years, AVS proudly serve government agencies, municipalities, landscapers, and many more, focusing on reclamation projects including forest fire recovery, range management, mining, roadside construction, and residential landscaping. Offering a plethora of warm- and cool-season grasses, wildflowers, forbs, shrubs, trees, and erosion control products, AVS mission is to catalog and supply seeds that are as unique and varied as the regions we serve. As they look to the future, AVS is excited to expand into retail with our own branded products focusing on forage and wildflowers. Recognizing a critical gap in attracting pollinators, our new offerings aim to address food security by fostering healthy, sustainable ecosystems.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Market Maker is working with the AVS Board Chairman to recruit two (2) new independent Board Directors to be appointed at an upcoming meeting expected to be held in August 2024.  The individual may be either a US or Canadian citizen with relevant industry knowledge. The current Board of Directors consists of a single Director who is MM management.

This board recruitment initiative reflects MM’s commitment to seek independent Board Director to provide subject matter expertise, industry relationships and competencies to contribute to AVS’s success. Together, the Board of Directors and MM leadership are responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of the company, and its governance, fostering its long-term success to maximize shareholder value. Since its acquisition in 2019, MM has been transitioning this business from an owner-managed business into a corporate-managed business. Nine months ago, MM appointed a new General Manager with extensive experience in managing operations. Under their leadership we have developed a vision for the future and are now poised to expand. To support this growth MM is looking to complement our strengths in strategy and financial expertise with deep industry knowledge. The new Board Directors will help influence AVS’s future strategic direction through their expression of thoughts, business skills and expertise. They will also steward and support AVS through strategic business challenges and opportunities.

Each Board Director is responsible for becoming knowledgeable about the company and the primary and ancillary industries within which the company operates and will maintain an understanding of the relevant regulatory, legislative, business, social and political environment.

Prospective Board candidates are expected to have the following:

• Some familiarity with the seed industry.
• Experience in managing operations in organizations with seasonal fluctuations in demand and production cycles.
• Senior executive level experience, possessing vision, sensibility, and financial acumen.
• Intellectual and emotional intelligence and demonstrates fairness, openness, and impartiality to achieve rational decision making for the business.
• The ability to contribute experience and to exercise agility to positively influence the company’s growth in strategic matters by leveraging connections and resources as needed by the company.

Specifically, AVS aims to add certain skills and competencies to the Board and ideal candidate will possess the following:

Expertise

The ideal board candidate will have senior level experience and board experience with knowledge in one or more of the following areas:

• Forage Crops
• Wildflower & Pollinator species
• Seed technology and innovation
• Agribusiness management
• Brand Management
• Growth Strategies
• Retail
• In depth industry knowledge in one of AVS’s key customer segments: retailers, landscapers, municipalities, conservation agencies, Co-ops, turf managers, forage producers.

Experience

• A demonstrated ability to develop and oversee strategic initiatives with a keen understanding of market dynamics, competitive landscapes and the alignment of strategic objectives with organizational goals.
• Experience in making significant decisions or providing recommendations on decisions which have a substantial financial impact.
• Business experience in which a proven track record of business acumen, insight and judgement are demonstrated.
• Involvement in setting the organizational culture and fostering an environment that encourages ethical conduct and a commitment to integrity values.
• Well-versed in corporate governance and best practices through related experience and ongoing professional development.

Personal Attributes

• Willing and able to devote the time and energy necessary to fully participate on the Board of a dynamic company.
• Collaborative team player with a confident attitude, willingness to consider others’ opinions, orientation towards constructively resolving conflicts, and a focus on adding value.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to listen to understand, raise questions constructively and encourage and build upon an open discussion of critical issues.
• Innovative and creative towards developing new ways to address business issues.
• Free of any substantial commercial conflicts, independence of mind and ability to exercise impartial judgment.
• High integrity, accountability, courage, and business acumen. 

GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE:

Board Structure and Meetings

The Board will meet quarterly via video conference. Directors must have sufficient time to attend regularly scheduled meetings as well as periodic meetings which will be scheduled on an as needed basis to support crucial strategic initiatives and decisions as they arise. Board members are expected to prepare for meetings in advance including staying current on the industry. Meeting materials for quarterly meetings are typically circulated 3-5 business days before each meeting. There are currently no active committees.

Board Terms: No terms, annual election. A new board member is expected to make a minimum 2-year commitment, subject to annual shareholder election.

Compensation: The annual board compensation is $8,000 USD.

Corporate calendar: the fiscal year ends on December 31^st.

To apply applicants should send their resume to: board@marketmakerag.com

Selected candidates will be contact by August 1 for an interview.