AMES, Iowa — Andrew Smelser has spent more than 20 years working in crop genetics, germplasm licensing, field research and seed-industry partnerships. Now, he has been named the next executive director of the Iowa Crop Improvement Association.
The ICIA is Iowa's official seed certifying agency and a nonprofit affiliate of Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Doan Schmitz has led the association on an interim basis since March 16, after its previous director, Ryan Budnik, left for a position outside the university. Smelser stepped into the role on July 27.
“The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is looking forward to working collaboratively with Andrew as the executive director for the Iowa Crop Improvement Association,” said Ruth MacDonald, acting dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “Andrew brings great experience and expertise to the role. He has a depth of understanding of the ICIA that will allow him to hit the ground running to continue the important work of this longstanding organization.”
Smelser’s 22-year career in the industry started with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, where he worked as a technician with the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize Project in Ames. He then spent nearly nine years with MBS Genetics LLC/Peterson Corn Genetics LLC as a regional account manager, handling accounts across seven states. He planned field trials, helped guide product advancement and forecasting, organized field data, and helped put together the company's annual corn product book.
Smelser also served as germplasm licensing manager for Inari Agriculture, where he built and maintained relationships with germplasm partners, negotiated licensing agreements, evaluated new products and technologies and supported breeding programs.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy and seed science, and a master’s in plant breeding from Iowa State.
Smelser is no stranger to ICIA’s leadership, having served on its board of directors for seven years, including three-and-a-half years as vice president. He has been part of the board's oversight committee and its excellence in germplasm and patenting strategic initiative. He has also worked collaboratively with ICIA in his previous professional roles.
“I am honored and excited to join the Iowa Crop Improvement Association as its new executive director and to contribute to its long-standing commitment to Iowa agriculture,” Smelser said. “Throughout my 22 years in this industry, I have learned that success is built through strong connections, collaboration and shared purpose. I look forward to working alongside others to help drive the continued success and future growth of this organization.”
As executive director, Smelser will work with the ICIA board, CALS, a variety of regulatory agencies, industry organizations and regional and national partners to guide the association's strategy, operations and programs. He will provide executive oversight for seed certification and the Iowa Crop Performance Tests, including field operations, trial design, data quality, compliance and reporting, while leading staff, financial planning and continuous improvement to keep the organization moving forward.
About the Iowa Crop Improvement Association
The ICIA comprises member companies and individuals working in the seed industry to advance seed and crop improvement.
The ICIA’s members are farmers, seed companies and others working in crop improvement. Its board includes several representatives from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences: director of the Agricultural Experiment Station, chair of the Department of Agronomy and director of the Seed Science Center.
The organization gives back to Iowa State in several ways:
- awards several scholarships to students
- offers multiple summer internship programs
- provides financial support to the Iowa State Crops Team
- sponsors the Iowa FFA Agronomy Career Development event
Contacts:
Andrew Smelser, Iowa Crop Improvement Association, 515-294-4111, asmelser@iastate.edu
Madelyn Ostendorf, Agriculture and Life Sciences Communications, 515-294-8892, madelyno@iastate.edu