Skip to page content

Skip to navigation

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Go to Wisc.edu

Alumni Stories

Skip sidebar and go to page body

Alumni Career Stories

Use the links below to read about UW Alumni who have started their careers with graduating from the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences

.................................................................................................

Education

  • Rick Waters is currently working towards his Dairy Science PhD at Cornell University. He worked for a few years with a company that manufactures and sells milking equipment, in which case he strengthened his relationship with the industry.
  • Brad Bolling spent several semesters as a teaching assistant during his Food Chemistry graduate student program. This work helped Brad discover a future in academia that not only included research, but also teaching. As a post-doc at Tufts University, Brad hopes to continue to share his passion for science through both time in the classroom as well as continued research on antioxidants and nutrition.

Environment

  • Shaunna Chase helps provide both the government and private industry with environmental services through her position at Spec Pro, Inc. Most recently, Shaunna has been involved in a local project: remediation of the Badger Army Ammunition Plant, in Baraboo, WI.
  • Nathaniel Altfeather works as an Energy Engineer at Science Applications International Corporation, a company that helps both the government and private sector integrate new technologies into their systems. Currently, Nathaniel is working on the State of Wisconsin's Focus on Energy program which approves funding for industrial energy efficiency projects.

Farming and Small Business Management

  • Sara Hanke handles a variety of duties in her position as Herdsperson for Fischer Valley Dairy. From milking and herd health management to bookkeeping, the variety of Sara's work is preparing her to someday own her own farm.
  • Patrick Scallon uses both his education and experience as a herd manager to operate an extensive grazing program for his Ayrshire cattle. Patrick also serves on the Board of Directors for Grassworks, an organization which focuses on issues in the cattle grazing industry.
  • Jenny Steiger is part-owner of an expanding dairy operation. In this position, she balances herd health, business operations, and employee management to make sure her operation meets the ever-increasing demand for quality dairy products.

Food Industry

  • Alecia Christensen As a Quality Assurance Supervisor at Nestlé Corporation, Alicia Christensen is responsible for an array of tasks ranging from evaluating quality systems at the plant to recruiting UW-Madison graduates for Nestlé’s Operations Management Training program. Christensen’s leadership ensures that Nestlé continues producing the quality chocolate the world has come to expect.
  • Laura Folts helps graduate students and private companies conduct food research as the Sensory Center Coordinator at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Laura's experiences in sensory analysis, from both the UW-Madison Food Science Product Development Team and an internship at the Kellogg Corporation, helped her determine the focus of her graduate studies, as well as prepare her for her current position.
  • Janine Retzer tends to green bean and carrot fields in Wisconsin. As assistant Agronomy Manager for Lakeside Foods, she is responsible for producing enough raw vegetables for four processing plants in northeast Wisconsin.
  • Jennifer Vincent leads a team of scientists that are constantly looking for ways to improve our favorite food products. Her work in product development challenges Jennifer to use science, math, and creativity in order to predict “the next big trend.”

Government

  • Cynthia Bartel works as a legislative assistant for Sen. Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) on agriculture, nutrition and trade issues. She compiles background information, develops policy recommendations and researches state and federal actions to understand the impacts they can have on agriculture.

Marketing and Sales Industry

  • Chris Wooley serves as the Director of Agronomy Marketing for M & M Cooperative in northeast Colorado. He designs and implements strategic marketing plans to promote the co-op's seed, fertilizer and chemical products.
  • Pete Kappelman has been a driving force in the dairy industry. He helped spur the creation of many organizations centered on farmer profitability. Pete has also been a leader in the dairy industry through his work as Chairman of the Board for Land O' Lakes Cooperative and his involvment as a member of the US Dairy Export Council.

Plant Breeding Industry

  • Dave Austin is a field research information management director for Pioneer Hi-Bred International, a company that provides a full line of crop seeds and additives for forage and grain. He connects company researchers with Information-technology staff to create product development software programs.
  • Tim Pruski is working toward his doctoral degree in plant genetics at University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. He discovered his interest in plant breeding while working in a lab at the University of Wisconsin.

Product Development

  • Brad Yanke is a product engineer for John Deere Harvester Works. In this position, Brad drafts, designs, and tests both new agricultural equipment and improvements to current products. Brad's work is improving the agricultural process and influencing farming practices around the world.

Turf Management

  • Tim Adas uses managerial and technical skills with his position at Lake Ripley Golf Course. As assistant superintendent, he manages all training and landscape services for the business.
  • Josh LePine is a certified golf course superintendent at Bristlecone Pines Golf Club in Hartland, Wis. He takes care of all of the maintenance for the 18-hole course, supervising a staff of 25 during the golf season and seven in the off-season.