Seminar for the Research Leader Position in the Grain

Quality and Structure Research Unit

Who is Tom Herald and does he possess the skills

necessary for the Research Leader position?

Personal Background

Born in Carson City, MichiganYoungest of seven children

Married with two children

Education and Professional Experiences

Earned BS, MS and Ph.D degrees in Food Science from Michigan State University

Peace Corps Volunteer Swaziland, Southern Africa

Employed at Yoplait USA and Kellogg’s

Kansas State University Employed for 16 years

Professor Food Chemistry

General Responsibilities at K-StateTeachingResearch Extension

Additional ContributionsDirector, Food Science Graduate

Program Faculty Senate

Specific Responsibilities

Teaching/Advising: Food chemistry coursesServe as a major professor and mentor.

Research: Research has been a mix of basic and applied projects encompassing chemical and physical analysis.

Extension/Service: KS food companies and entrepreneurs

Research Accomplishments Research:

Graduate Students Completed17 M.S.

8 Ph.D.Current number of Graduate Students 4 M.S. on-campus

15 M.S. distanceServices on Graduate Students Committees

44 M.S. 43 Ph.D.Publications: approximately 58 peer reviewedPresentations: 75 at professional meetingsFunded Research: approximately $1.7 M

The mission of the Grain Marketing and Production Research Center (GMPRC) is to "Conduct innovative research and develop new technologies to solve problems relating to natural resources conservation and the production, harvesting, storage, marketing, and utilization of grain to ensure a safe, abundant, and high quality grain supply."

The mission of the Grain Quality and Structure Research Unit, which includes the Hard Winter Wheat Quality Laboratory, is to ensure a high quality and safe U.S. grain supply for our customers by: (1) conducting basic and applied research to identify the physical characteristics and structural/biochemical components that govern quality; (2) developing rapid, precise, and accurate predictive technologies for quality assessment; and (3) evaluating the end-use quality of breeding lines.         

Skills required for the RL position1. Research Competent2. Good Interpersonal skills3. Good listening skills4. Willing to make a difference5. Positive force6. Advocate for the unit7. Inspiring8. Meet deadlines9. Decisive10. Encourage innovation and interdisciplinary

work

Experiences I bring to the position

Food Science Graduate Program Director• Over six years experience• Provide guidance to approximately 50

faculty and 100 graduate students• Faculty are distribute amongst five

colleges and eleven departments • Resolve disputes with students and

faculty. • Responsible for filing all the paper work

required by either University, State or Federal Agencies.

Experiences I bring to the position

Faculty SenateFaculty Senate represents the interest of over

2500 faculty and unclassified employees

Positions held within Faculty SenateSalaries and Benefits (innovative ideas)Chair of Academic Affairs CommitteeChair of University Planning

President (three year commitment)

Significantly involved in grievance hearings and dispute resolutions

Experiences I bring to the position

Faculty Advisor to the Call Hall Dairy plantResponsibility included overseeing the processing and retail operations.

Managed 4 full-time state employees and a number of part-time student workers.

Processing OperationsProcessed ice cream, cheese, butter, milk

Retail OperationsOutlet for dairy products to the public, dorms, restaurants, Greek System,and a mobile unit on campus.

Management Style

Take care of the day-to-day operations

Listen and communicate

Build consensus and make decisions as required

Empower others and support them

Leadership SkillsCommunication IntegrityLead by example CompetentFocus InitiativeListen ResponsiblePositive Attitude Problem SolverSelf-Discipline Transparent

Not intimidate to address sensitive issues

Leadership Style

Clear vision for the futureStrategic planning to realize visionHigh expectations

Serve others and lead by example

Ways I handle conflict resolution

Show concern to all parties Address each issue with a sense of urgency Listen to all sides of the issue Follow policy and procedures Be caring and understanding to all Be fair Be honest Be frank about the issues to the grievant and

respondent Express no favoritism

Why do I want the RL Position?

ProfessionallyProfessionally

PersonallyPersonally

Challenges to any organizations

Keep focused on the mission Recruitment and retention Maintain a sense of collegiality Make sure all contribute Ensure all are recognized for their contribution Keep visible

Visibility of the unit outside this building

Validate that the current mission and plan is consistent with the needs of the stakeholders.

Continue strong ties to State and National Commodity Commissions

(wheat and sorghum)Engage with the professional organizations

(AIB, K-State, AACC)Strengthen ties with industrial partners

(MGP, Wenger, Kellogg’s)

Efforts must be focused to synergize with stakeholders.

Consumers areThe DRIVING FORCE

Producers

breeding

Grain Qualityand Structure

Research Unit

Milling

Value Added

Marketing

ChemicalAnalysis

TechnologyTransfer

Entrepreneur

Consumer Advocates Health ProfessionsFortune 500

Other Cooperating Partners

NationalAgencies

Industry StateAgencies

InternationalAgencies

Kansas State University

TECSIBRIBIVAP

Other Cooperating Partners

Immediate Tasks

Talk individually with each member of the unit Look for “low hanging fruit” Affirm current mission statement Re-evaluate current strategic plan

Does the plan coincide with mission?

Determine the type of research scientist(s) needed to fulfill the mission and plan.

I believe that my experiences and skills are those that are required in a Research Leader within the Unit.

?QUESTIONS?