Westlink Ag, a national distribution/retail buying group for primary crop inputs, on Sept. 17 announced the appointment of Kyle Grant as Executive Vice President, reporting to the office of CEO Jeff Pritchard. Grant will focus on the management of Westlink’s fertilizer, micronutrient, and bio-stimulant operations across the U.S., effective Oct. 1, 2021.
“I’m excited to get going with Westlink Ag,” said Grant. “The ag retailer space has been my passion throughout my career, and that is where Westlink Ag has embedded their vision and established their mark. Aligning my passion and experience with Westlink’s purpose-driven, independence-focused business model will hopefully propel stronger, more sustained success for our members, strategic suppliers, and the growers we all serve.”
Grant is an industry veteran with more than two decades of management and sales experience. He has been with International Raw Materials for the past six years as U.S. Sales Manager, and before that served for nearly a decade in various leadership roles with The J.R. Simplot Co. A graduate of Boise State University, Grant also serves on the boards of the Far West Agribusiness Association and Western Plant Health Association.
“In Kyle’s prior roles, he has been instrumental in working with Westlink Ag and our member,” said Pritchard. “As the ag industry faces very dynamic challenges going forward, we will count on Kyle’s excellent network, strong leadership skills, and intuitive guidance to help us cement a more positive, sustainable impact within and outside our company.”
Formed in January 2000, Westlink Ag is based in Meridian, Idaho, and is comprised of 45 independent agricultural retailer/wholesalers with more than 250 satellite locations covering the U.S. and Canada. Westlink said its primary role is to procure fertilizer, agri-chemicals, micronutrients, organics, and bio-stimulants for its members, and provide strategic direction, grower financing, vehicle leasing, insurance, data management, regulatory guidance, and targeted technology transfer.