June 2, 2009
AMES, Iowa - Kevin Kimle, founder of E-Markets and Decision Commodities, will become director of the Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative on July 1. In addition to his new role, Kimle also will serve as the Rastetter Endowed Chair in Agricultural Entrepreneurship in the Department of Economics.
Kimle succeeds Robert Jolly, professor of economics, who has served as the interim director for the initiative since it was established in 2005. Jolly will continue his research, teaching and extension role in Iowa State's economics department.
As director, Kimle will work to further develop the initiative's undergraduate programs, expand curriculum offerings in the college and develop new strategies to place Iowa State as the leader in agricultural entrepreneurship education.
Kimle earned his master's degree in agricultural economics at Iowa State in 1991. He then worked for Pioneer Hi-bred International in business development and marketing, before co-founding E-Markets, Inc., in 1996. In 2002, Kimle founded Decision Commodities, LLC, which provides commodity sellers and buyers innovative risk management contracts.
Wendy Wintersteen, Endowed Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences said, "We were very pleased we were able to recruit Kevin Kimle to this important position. He is a true entrepreneur with critically important business networks across the state. We are confident Kevin's leadership of the program will benefit our students and faculty."
"I am excited to be a part of the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative," said Kimle. "I greatly admire the vision and work of those who have started the program, and its importance for students, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Iowa State University, the state of Iowa and agriculture. I look forward to the continuing task of building the Agricultural Entrepreneurship program at Iowa State into 'the best in the nation,' as is the goal."
For more about the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative, visit here.