Leadership Profile: Julie Benick

Leadership Profile

Julie Benick, Customer Business Applications Specialist at WinField United, and Crop Protection Council Chair

By J. Nolfo,  BASF and Communications Committee Chair

How long have you been involved with AgGateway, and what are your current activities with AgGateway?

I’ve been involved with AgGateway for about six years, and have been involved with the Conference Committee, Seed Council and Crop Protection Council. I’m the current chair of the Crop Protection Council.

Give us a quick synopsis of your career path – where did you start, and where are you now?

I started in the network ops center for US Bank, was recruited away to a third-party EDI provider to learn EDI and write requirements documents for developers. Then I joined Land O’Lakes Inc. dairy division as an EDI ops person and transferred to the WinField United division, where I was promoted to Business Analyst.

Tell us about one or two accomplishments within AgGateway that you’re particularly proud of, as well as how your company benefited.

AIDC (Automatic Identification and Data Capture) has been an important project for WinField United and we would love to increase our opportunity to receive more barcoded products.

What, for you, is the most important thing AgGateway is working on now, and why?

I would have to say the start of a discussion about GTINs in the Crop Protection Council. My locations are excited about more automated receiving and matching of physical product to system data for greater accuracy and ease of business. 

What do you think are some of the most significant ways eConnectivity will impact agriculture in the years ahead?

As we continue to widen our scope there will be more opportunities with growers.

How has being involved in AgGateway benefited you?

It has helped with my personal professional growth with opportunities for leadership. I enjoy the opportunity to network and those resulting relationships have definitely had a positive impact on working with trading partners.

Tell us a little about your personal life - family, outside interests, etc.  

I’m married with kids and grandkids. I love sports (especially basketball), camping and crafting. I’m an active volunteer especially in the areas of hunger, empowering girls and mental health.

What would you tell someone else who’s thinking about getting involved with AgGateway?

It’s a fantastic way to network and build relationships, in addition to being able to influence development of new processes/transactions and solve common business problems.

Thank you for your leadership, Julie!