AEM has announced the appointment of Curt Blades as the new senior vice president for AG services, replacing Charlie O’Brien, who is retiring from the company.
Blades (left), who has previously served as group business development director for Meredith Corporation and as a member of the strategic leadership team for Meredith Agrimedia business unit, will be responsible for strategic direction of agriculture programs and services, and be the primary liaison with agriculture-specific industry organizations, customer groups and government agencies, both in North America and across the world.
“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.”
Blades earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from the University of Missouri and a master’s degree in agri-business from Kansas State University. Blades will succeed O’Brien (right) who announced in April his intention to retire to take care of family and a family business. Prior to joining AEM in 2007, he held positions of increasing responsibility at John Deere Credit.
“We want to extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to Charlie for his decade of service and unselfish willingness to work during a transition period to help provide uninterrupted service to the membership,” said Slater.
“He has been an invaluable member of the AEM senior leadership team and highly respected throughout the industry, and we are grateful for his knowledge and guidance.”
July 14, 2017
