John Finegan, Stephanie Liska, & Richard Bettison: CEO Trifecta

The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast

John Finegan is the founder and original CEO of Beck Ag, with a rich history in agriculture and business leadership. With a desire to create a company that differed from typical ad agencies, he built Beck Ag with a focus on experience and professionalism akin to industry giants like Deloitte and McKinsey.

Stephanie Liska is the former CEO of Beck Ag and the current president of Kincannon & Reed, bringing with her years of experience in the agricultural industry. Her leadership has been defined by living out the core values she helped establish, striving for a focus on the company's intentional direction.

Richard Bettison stands as the current CEO of Beck Ag, having taken the helm to steer the company into new realms, specifically emphasizing digital and data tools. His tenure is focused on execution excellence and commercial productivity to meet the evolving needs of the agricultural industry.

Episode Summary:

In an unprecedented roundup of agribusiness acumen, the latest episode of the Intentional Agribusiness Leader podcast hosted by Mark Jewell features a trio of CEOs from Beck Ag. This conversation explores the layered experiences of John Finegan, Stephanie Liska, and Richard Bettison, each bringing a unique perspective on leadership in the agriculture industry.

The core values, the transitions of leadership, and the imperative of intentionality are the focal points, meticulously outlined by the distinguished guests from their inception to their ongoing impact. They delve into the company's journey from a virtual enterprise to one that now encompasses advanced digital integration and services tailored to the challenges of today's agribusiness landscape. Rich with SEO-friendly terms like "agriculture industry", "CEO", "leadership", and "execution excellence", the discussion underscores the significance of shared guiding principles and the progressive mindset necessary in modern business leadership.

Key Takeaways:

• Core values are essential: Beck Ag's success is deeply rooted in its established core values, which have remained unchanged for nearly three decades.
• Intentionality in business: Being intentional is about focusing, living, and aligning everyday actions with the company's goals.
• Evolution is key: Beck Ag has evolved from peer influence programs to incorporating data and digital tools, emphasizing the importance of adapting and staying current.
• Executing with excellence: Efficiency and productivity are crucial for today's leaders to tackle the challenges and complexities of the agricultural sector.
• The power of mentorship: Stephanie emphasizes the importance of choosing to lead and the responsibility that comes with mentorship, paying homage to those who shaped her leadership.

Notable Quotes:

• "Complacency is a disease, and we should always be raising the bar." - John Finegan
• "No one leads alone...leadership is a bit of a choice." - Stephanie Liska
• "Those who execute best win." - Richard Bettison

For a deep dive into the insightful journey of three transformative leaders in the realm of agribusiness, tune in to the full episode of the Intentional Agribusiness Leader podcast. Stay updated with more thought-provoking discussions by subscribing to the series.