AEM Names New Senior VP of AG Services
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers has named Curt Blades as senior vice president, AG services, replacing Charlie O’Brien, who announced his retirement from AEM earlier this year.
In this role, Blades will be responsible for strategic direction of agriculture programs and services for the AEM membership, and will serve as primary liaison with ag-specific industry organizations, customer groups and government agencies, both in North America and worldwide.
“We are very pleased to welcome Curt to the AEM team and look forward to the expertise and enthusiasm he brings,” said AEM President Dennis Slater. “He has a strong agricultural and management background and while we had some big shoes to fill with Charlie’s departure, we are confident that Curt will help us achieve continued success.”
Before joining AEM, Blades served as Group Business Development Director for Meredith Corporation and as a member of the strategic leadership team for Meredith Agrimedia business unit. In addition to strategy, he has extensive experience in management, marketing, sales and research. Previously, he held management roles at MachineryLink and Farmland Industries.
Blades earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from University of Missouri and a master’s degree in agribusiness from Kansas State.
He has been active in the National Agri-Marketing Association, Agribusinesss Education Foundation and Agriculture Council of America.
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