2023 Speakers
Vance Crowe - Keynote Speaker
"Thinking in Interests: Negotiations for Everyday Life"
Vance Crowe is a communications strategist that has worked for corporations and international organizations around the world. Crowe has spoken before more than 175,000 people, answering questions about some of the most sophisticated and controversial technologies in the modern age.
Vance has worked for organizations as varied as the World Bank, Monsanto, the U.S. Peace Corps and even as a deckhand on an ecotourism ship. His specialty is presenting new ideas in compelling and exciting ways that get audiences talking about how to change, improve and thrive in the age of acceleration.
Vance is the CEO of Articulate Ventures, a communications firm in Saint Louis Missouri. He is the recipient of the 2021 Association of Farm Manager and Rural Appraisers “Meritorious Communicators Award” and a non-resident fellow of the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies at Seton Hall’s School of Diplomacy where he works on issues around the rural/urban divide in Western culture.
The Vance Crowe Podcast hosts guests from around the world with artists, psychologists, prostitutes, economists, farmers, ambassadors and heads of state. @VanceCrowe
Robert Siciliano
ROBERT SICILIANO, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com is fiercely committed to informing, educating, and empowering Americans so they can be protected from violence and crime in the physical and virtual worlds. His “tell it like it is” style is sought after by major media outlets such as Fox News, CNN's Anderson Cooper, MSNBC, Wall Street Journal, and many more. He speaks to executives in the C-Suite of leading corporations, meeting planners, and community leaders to get the straight talk they need to stay safe in a world in which physical and virtual crime is commonplace. Robert is accessible, real, professional, and ready to weigh in and comment at a moment’s notice on breaking news.
Robert is a Certified Speaking Professional with the National Speakers Association. Fewer than 5% of professional speakers in the world are certified.
Samuel Peck - Jack's Bean International
International Markets
Raised in Montana, Sam migrated west to San Francisco in 1975 to finish college, starting in the bean industry in the fall of 1980, with Berger and Company. Over 40 years later he is still in the industry.
Currently is on the RMBDA board of directors, as well as the alternate to the USDBC for RMBDA. Also was recently asked to be an alternate on the Colorado Bean Committee board. He is regularly asked to speak on the world situation of dried beans to various grower groups, as well as regional and national bean associations. He has lived in Dubai and Peru during his tenure in the bean industry, and travels approximately 75,000 air miles each year evaluating crop conditions, touring foreign processing & packing facilities, attending food shows, and visiting foreign dried bean markets.
After 36 years as an international trader of dried beans, Sam is currently employed by Jack’s Bean Company, a grower/processor group with 3 processing plants in North Dakota and Colorado. He also markets overseas for cleaning facilities in three other states, as well as trades beans originating in other countries to long time customers in need of his knowledge and experience in the business.
Keven Sawchuk - Viterra Inc.
Canadian Crop Report
Keven Sawchuk is a Senior Merchandiser for Viterra Inc., which is part of the Glencore Agriculture global commodity trading network. Keven is based in Taber, Alberta, in the heart of an irrigated farming district that produces a wide variety of specialty crops. He has been focused on the international trade of dry beans and other pulse crops for the past two decades. He often presents market analysis to grower groups, trade associations and international meetings related to pulse crops. His other related experience includes logistics, processing plant design, quality system implementation and audit, and process improvement.
Andrew Fontaine - Spokane Seed Company
Pea and Lentil Report
Born and raised in the Seattle area, Andrew became a loyal alumnus of Washington State University in 2000, graduating with an Advertising/Marketing degree. As the President / G. M. for Spokane Seed Company, Andrew is responsible for all daily operations as well as all Domestic and International trading for the 114-year-old company. Spokane Seed Company prides itself on supreme processing that permits them to supply the largest most recognized food companies in the world.
Andrew is a fourth-generation pulse trader with 21 years’ experience selling Peas, Lentils and Chickpeas. He is a very active member of the US Dry Pea and Lentils Council. Andrew serves as Chairman for the national council as well as Domestic Marketing Committee Chairman. In his spare time he enjoys many outdoor activities and spending time with his wife and three sons.