Amy Throndsen Washington, D.C. Business Development & Marketing Director Advanced Comfort Technology, Inc.

What education are you bringing with you to this position?
I have a degree in English and business from Edgewood College (Madison, Wisconsin). I have also traveled extensively in China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and northern Thailand.

What territory will you cover?
My territory will cover our international markets, as well as support dealers in several eastern U.S. states.

What are your new responsibilities?
I will work closely with the ACT team to develop the international dealer base, as well as support dealers in several eastern U.S. states. I will be responsible for integrating new technologies into ACT´s overall business functions. I will manage the relationships between ACT and industry associations and publications and lead ACT´s efforts in working with academic institutions to study dual-chambered cow waterbeds.

What previous positions have you held?
I have had a career in public service, serving as a staff member and volunteer for AmeriCorps (Washington, D.C., and Sacramento, California) and Peace Corps (Washington, D.C., and China). Most recently, I managed a grant program (Peace Corps Partnership Program) funded by private donations for Peace Corps´ Africa region.

What excites you most about working in your new role?
My colleagues at ACT and within the industry are eager to learn and are looking for ways to better connect with dairy professionals and consumers of dairy products.

What's your best story from the first day on the job?
Dairy farmers are not out to get rich. They want to provide for their families and watch generations grow up on the farm. On one of my first days, I had the opportunity to meet a 62-year old farmer, his son, granddaughter and great-grandson. I'm humbled that dual-chamber cow waterbeds are a part of his family's legacy in Kentucky.

How will you be of most help to producers in your region or area of expertise?
I bring a broad range of interests and experiences to the table with a fresh set of eyes to educate dairy professionals on the benefits of dual-chamber cow waterbeds and communicate agriculture issues with consumers.

Why did you choose this company?
I am honored to be a part of my family's international agriculture business, helping to build on the 11-year foundation my father, mother and their four other employees have established. I have the freedom and responsibility to make things happen in many different areas in which I'm held accountable. I wouldn't want it any other way.

What goals would you like to accomplish while in this position?
I want to use the years of stories that we have from thousands of farmers across the country (and increasingly around the world) to tell the dual-chamber cow waterbeds story. I grew up listening to my dad say, "the more you tell, the more you sell." He has told the waterbed story for 11 years, and I am here to help magnify the voices of the thousands of dairy professionals who have improved herd health because of their investment in dual-chamber cow waterbeds. PD