Agriculture
10 CIOs in Agriculture
These ten technology executives serve as chief information officers of agriculture businesses, including crop inputs and crop technology suppliers, agribusiness groups and farming operations. Readers can learn how agriculture CIOs run enterprise systems, digital tools, data and cybersecurity for businesses that serve farmers or farm themselves.
Professionals to explore
01—10Ashima Seth
LinkedInExperience: Chief Digital & Information Officer · Godrej Agrovet Limited
Chief Digital & Information Officer at Godrej Agrovet Limited since October 2024; the profile describes Godrej Agrovet as a farming company headquartered in Mumbai. Former Global Head IT Applications, PMO IT and Regional IT Head (Asia, ASEANZ) at UPL (2022–2024) and Global Head IT Applications at UPL (2021–2022).
Bob Barnhart
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Nutrien
Chief Information Officer at Nutrien since May 2023; the profile describes Nutrien as the world's largest provider of crop inputs and services, helping growers increase food production. Former Vice President & Chief Information Officer at UTC Aerospace Systems (2012–2018) and at Pratt & Whitney (2010–2012), and Senior Advisor at McKinsey & Company (2020–2023).
David Black
LinkedInExperience: EVP, Enterprise Transformation and Chief Information Officer · CHS Inc.
EVP, Enterprise Transformation and Chief Information Officer at CHS Inc. since December 2022; the profile describes CHS as a diversified global agribusiness. Former SVP Chief Strategy Officer and CIO (2017–2022) and SVP & CIO (2014–2017) at CHS, and VP Global Commercial IT at Monsanto Company (2009–2014).
David Kennedy
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Pace Farm
Chief Information Officer at Pace Farm since January 2025, where the profile describes leading enterprise transformation across operations, reporting, cyber resilience and enterprise systems, with technology spanning smart farming, automation and data-driven decision-making. Former Founder & Principal Chief Information, Technology & Digital Officer at The Virtual CIO Advisory Services (2017–2025).
James Alcombright
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Corteva Agriscience
Chief Information Officer at Corteva Agriscience since October 2021; the profile describes Corteva as a global pure-play agriculture company that serves farmers around the world. Other Corteva roles listed are Vice President, IT Digital, Products & Platforms (2020–2021) and Executive IT Leader, Digital & Enterprise Platforms (2018–2020).
James E. Sampel, MBA, CSSBB, CIO, CTO, CISO
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer CIO CTO CISO Agile Digital Transformation Expert · Alico Inc.
Chief Information Officer at Alico Inc. since October 2015; the profile describes Alico as a holding company with operations in agriculture and natural resources, including citrus operations and cattle ranching. Former Managing Director, Global Chief Operations Officer and Chief Information Officer at Crisil Coalition Greenwich (2009–2015).
PT Padmanabha
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC
Chief Information Officer at Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC since September 2020, overseeing the IT department and improving technology processes to raise company productivity, per the profile. Other Helena roles listed are Director Of Information Technology (2017–2020), Senior Manager Technical Projects and Business Applications (2013–2017) and Manager Technical Projects (2002–2013).
Pushkar Rege
LinkedInExperience: Global Chief Information Officer · UPL
Global Chief Information Officer at UPL since August 2023, after serving as Interim Chief Information Officer at UPL (2021–2023). The profile describes UPL as offering sustainable agriculture technology and crop solutions to farmers and agribusinesses. Other UPL roles listed include VP of IT - Global Head Enterprise Systems (2016–2023) and Sr GM HEAD ERP systems (2010–2016).
Rob Janek
LinkedInExperience: VP, CIO · CTB, Inc.
VP, CIO at CTB, Inc. since July 2019; the profile describes CTB as a farming company and says the role included acting as CISO to lead a cybersecurity program for the $1B worldwide company, plus a board seat at Cabinplant A/S, a Danish food processing solutions provider. Former Director IT at Nokia (2015–2019).
TJ Flax
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Irsik Farms, Inc.
Chief Information Officer at Irsik Farms, Inc. since December 2024 and a Board Member there since 2021. The profile describes the role as driving innovation and operational efficiency across the company's diversified agricultural operations. Former Associate Product Manager at DTN (2023–2024) and Product Owner and Customer Success Manager at Dexer (2022–2023).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's business model to yours, since a global crop inputs supplier, a diversified agribusiness and a family farming operation have very different system needs and budgets. For a specific project, such as an ERP program, a digital transformation or a cybersecurity build-out, favor people whose roles and notes describe that work.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you schedule major system changes around planting and harvest seasons?
- 02What data and digital tools have delivered the most value for growers or farm operations in your experience?
- 03How do you balance spending on core ERP and cybersecurity against new agtech and analytics projects?
Reaching CIOs in Agriculture
How can I contact one of these CIOs in Agriculture?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including Godrej Agrovet Limited, Nutrien and CHS Inc., based on profile data retrieved on October 3, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach CIOs in Agriculture?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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