Professional Experience:
International agricultural development consultant with more than 25 years of experience in livestock production, meat processing, agricultural value chains, food systems, and executive leadership. My background combines private-sector management, international technical assistance, applied research, and community-based development across Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe, and the United States.
**Founder and Principal Consultant | Stirling International | 2023–Present**
Established Stirling International to provide consulting services in agricultural development, food security, livestock systems, food safety, and nutrition-sensitive agriculture. Expertise includes technical assessments, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, applied research, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL). Current interests emphasize maternal and child nutrition, animal-source foods, protein access, school feeding, and reducing malnutrition in low- and middle-income countries.
**International Development and Technical Assistance**
Conducted international agricultural development assignments and research in Guatemala, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Kenya, Georgia, and Mexico.
In Guatemala (2025–2026), conducted doctoral field research examining parent-focused nutrition education and child growth outcomes. Collaborated with nutrition organizations and local stakeholders, conducted interviews, and analyzed quantitative child growth data.
In Georgia (2025), provided technical assistance through Land O'Lakes Venture37, delivering training in meat processing, food safety, and value-added products.
In Ecuador (2018–2020), lived approximately 18 months conducting a self-funded agricultural development initiative focused on household food security, animal-source foods, meat preservation, and community training.
In Kenya (2011), completed a USAID Farmer-to-Farmer assignment involving meat processing assessments, SWOT analysis, and market development recommendations.
Earlier work in Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador involved dairy production systems, livestock nutrition, farmer interviews, and rural development assessments.
**Executive Leadership | Livestock and Meat Industries | 2001–2023**
Held senior executive and operational leadership positions in the U.S. livestock and meat industries, including Chief Production Officer at Intermountain Packing and Vice President of Sales and Marketing with Golden Valley Natural, Rocky Mountain Land & Cattle, and Intermountain Bison.
At Intermountain Packing (2020–2023), helped establish and operate a beef and bison processing facility designed for approximately 300 head daily and employing approximately 400 personnel. Responsibilities included production operations, workforce development, food safety, quality assurance, and operational management.
Previous leadership responsibilities included livestock procurement, ranch coordination, meat processing, national retail and foodservice sales, regulatory compliance, and third-party food safety audits.
**Academic and Research Experience | Texas A&M University | 2024–2026**
Conducted applied research in agricultural education, international development, and childhood nutrition. Developed expertise in qualitative and mixed methods research, stakeholder interviews, quantitative data analysis, program assessment, and technical communication.
My combined industry, research, and international experience supports consulting assignments in agricultural development, food security, nutrition, technical assistance, and capacity building.