Ken Griswold Lancaster, Pennsylvania Technical Services Manager Kemin Industries
Please describe your agricultural background.
I have been involved in the dairy industry my entire life. I was raised on a dairy farm in central New York and have worked in the areas of dairy nutrition and management through academic, extension and industry positions.
What education are you bringing with you to this position?
I received a bachelor of science degree in animal science from Cornell University, a master of science degree in ruminant nutrition at West Virginia University and a doctorate in rumen microbiology from the University of Illinois. I also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in dairy nutrition and microbiology at Ohio State University.
What territory will you cover?
My region extends from Virginia to Vermont to Michigan.
What will be your new responsibilities?
My focus in the dairy industry will be in the areas of forages, transition cow nutrition and records management. I’ll build customer relationships, offer technical support for current and new customers and demonstrate the effectiveness of products such as KemTRACE chromium propionate, which is the one and only FDA-approved source of chromium permitted in dairy.
What previous positions have you held?
Before coming here, I worked directly with dairy producers for seven years as a dairy extension educator with Penn State Extension in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Prior to that, I was an assistant professor of dairy nutrition and management at Southern Illinois University, a postdoctoral researcher in dairy nutrition at Ohio State University and a feed management consultant with Young’s, Inc.
What excites you most about working in your new role?
I provide products and services that have a positive impact on a large proportion of the dairy operations in the United States.
How will you be of most help to producers in your region or area of expertise?
My background as a researcher in academia and as an educator in extension allows me to transfer technology to producers in a very practical and useable manner.
Why did you choose this company?
Kemin has a long history of providing products and support to their customers based on sound research and extensive field testing. I work for a company that places a strong emphasis on research and providing practical value to its customers.
What goals would you like to accomplish while in this position?
I would like to be a positive influence on the people I interact with and, through those interactions, positively impact the dairy industry. PD
