2025 MABA Outlook Conference Program
Thursday, September 11, 2025
6:00 PM | Evening reception, Grand Hotel Lawn*
Presented by 2025 MABA Sustaining Sponsors
Friday, September 12, 2025
8:30 - 11:30 AM | General Session
12:00 - 1:30 PM | Luncheon*
6:00 PM | Evening Reception, Grand Hotel Porch*
Presented by Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
Dinner on your own on the Island
Saturday, September 13, 2025
8:30 AM - 10:30 | Closing General Session: Future Issues Panel Discussion
10:30 AM | Adjournment
*Spouses/Guests/Children Invited
Featured Speakers
Dr. Paul Isely
Associate Dean and Professor of Economics, Grand Valley State University
Dr. Paul Isely is currently Associate Dean and Professor of Economics for the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University. Dr. Isely’s research has led more than 50 publications which consist of peer review journal articles, local articles, research reports and grant reports. These articles have explored West Michigan’s economy and its relationship to the National and State Economies. His research led to his first appointment by Governor Snyder and then renewed by Governor Whitmer of Michigan to the Utility Consumer Participation Board where he is currently the Interim Chair.
Michael Gregory
Deputy Chief Economist & Managing Director, BMO
Michael Gregory is part of BMO’s team responsible for forecasting and analyzing the North American economy and financial markets. He has spent his career working in either economics or financial markets research for firms on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border. Prior to his current role, Michael headed up the Financial Services Analysis team at Bank of Montreal, focusing on regulatory and industry restructuring issues, before shifting to BMO Capital Markets Economics in 2004. He moved to Chicago in 2013, providing research support for the U.S. and Canadian fixed income business, before returning to Toronto in 2016. Michael is a graduate of Concordia University in Montreal and Western University in London, Ontario. He did doctoral studies at Fordham University in New York City, and holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
Alex Dunn
CEO, CropLife America
Alex Dunn is president and chief executive officer (CEO) of CropLife America, the national organization representing manufacturers, formulators, and distributors of pesticides. Dunn previously served as a Partner in the Environmental, Safety, and Incident Response group at the international law firm of Baker Botts, LLP, working on pesticide issues, chemical regulation and a wide range of related environmental topics. From 2019-2021 she served as Assistant Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, a post to which she was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate. CropLife America works to help ensure growers and consumers have the technologies they need to protect crops, communities, and ecosystems from the threat of pests, weeds, and diseases in an environmentally sound, safe, and sustainable way.
Drew Thomas
SVP/Managing Director of Food and Beverage, Huntington Bank
Drew Thomas is an accomplished banking professional with extensive experience in the financial sector, currently serving as Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Food & Beverage at Huntington National Bank since April 2017. Prior to this role, Drew held the position of Vice President in Loan Syndications at Rabobank from September 2013 to April 2017. Drew's career at Huntington National Bank began in August 2005, where various roles included Commercial Portfolio Manager, Senior Credit Analyst, and Business Analyst in Middle Market Commercial Banking and Asset Based Lending. Drew also gained early experience as a Page for the Ohio House of Representatives and as an intern at Merrill Lynch. Drew holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness and Applied Economics from The Ohio State University.
Dr. Paul Isely
Associate Dean and Professor of Economics, Grand Valley State University
Dr. Paul Isely is currently Associate Dean and Professor of Economics for the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University. Dr. Isely’s research has led more than 50 publications which consist of peer review journal articles, local articles, research reports and grant reports. These articles have explored West Michigan’s economy and its relationship to the National and State Economies. His research led to his first appointment by Governor Snyder and then renewed by Governor Whitmer of Michigan to the Utility Consumer Participation Board where he is currently the Interim Chair.
Christie Apple,
Agronomy & Soil Health Specialist, Timac Agro
Christie Apple has been working in agronomy for more than 15 years. She holds a leadership role at TimacAgro USA, a global innovator in crop nutrient and bio-stimulant manufacturing. There, she oversees ongoing field education and mentoring for technical field representatives and drives new business development within the wholesale distribution chain across the Great Lakes Region. Christie started the CropScout Christie social media channel, which includes Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, to meet the growing demand for on-the-ground learning and support. She also engages growers by speaking at seminars, leading breakout sessions, field days, and root pits, providing practical insights and hands-on education in soil health and regenerative practices.
Sarah Bileti
Chair, Immigration Practice Group, Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
Sarah Bileti is an immigration attorney and Chair of the Immigration Practice Group at Warner Norcross + Judd LLP. She advises U.S. and international companies on business immigration strategy, workforce compliance, and cross-border talent mobility. Sarah has extensive experience guiding employers through complex visa processes, I-9 audits, and U.S. market entry. She represents clients across a range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, energy, and technology.
Dr. Tim Boring
Director, Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
Dr. Tim Boring serves as the Director for MDARD supporting the department's continued commitment in investing in the state’s rural communities, expanding food and agriculture businesses, protecting consumers from the pump to the plate, and preserving Michigan’s environmental resources. He previously served as the State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency. Boring's family operates a six-generation farm in Stockbridge, Michigan. Prior to his appointment at the USDA, he was the president and founder of Michigan Agriculture Advancement. He also previously served as the Vice President of the Michigan Agri-Business Association and worked as research director of the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee. Governor Whitmer had previously appointed Dr. Boring to the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2019. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriscience, Master of Science in Crop and Soil Sciences, and Ph.D. in Crop and Soil Sciences from Michigan State University.
Dr. Tim Boring
Director, Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
Dr. Tim Boring serves as the Director for MDARD supporting the department's continued commitment in investing in the state’s rural communities, expanding food and agriculture businesses, protecting consumers from the pump to the plate, and preserving Michigan’s environmental resources. He previously served as the State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency. Boring's family operates a six-generation farm in Stockbridge, Michigan. Prior to his appointment at the USDA, he was the president and founder of Michigan Agriculture Advancement. He also previously served as the Vice President of the Michigan Agri-Business Association and worked as research director of the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee. Governor Whitmer had previously appointed Dr. Boring to the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2019. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriscience, Master of Science in Crop and Soil Sciences, and Ph.D. in Crop and Soil Sciences from Michigan State University.
U.S. Representative Jack Bergman
Rep. Jack Bergman represents the First District of Michigan, having assumed office in 2017. The boundaries contain the entire Upper Peninsula and all of northern lower Peninsula. Altogether, the district makes up about 44% of the land mass of the state of Michigan. The Bergman family roots in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula stretch back to the late 1800’s where his ancestors worked as iron miners. Serving his country in uniform for 40 years, Jack has spent time all around the United States – and world.
State Senator Kevin Daley
Sen. Kevin Daley is a fifth-generation Lapeer County farmer, a lifetime resident of the district, and the state senator for 26th District, which encompasses portions of Lapeer, Tuscola, Genesee and Saginaw counties. Daley began his career in public service as a member of the Arcadia Township planning commission. He went on to serve in the positions of trustee, treasurer, and eventually, township supervisor. He was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2008 and was chosen to serve as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee; he was elected to the Senate in 2018 and previously served as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
Jim Byrum
Executive Director, Riveron
Jim Byrum serves as Executive Director at Riveron, a national business advisory firm specializing in accounting, finance, technology, and operations. In this role, Jim is bringing his decades of industry experience as a business owner and association executive to advise some of the world’s largest companies, across multiple sectors, on their operations and their long-term strategy. Jim also remains very active in Michigan agriculture, serving on the Board of Directors for Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch and helping agricultural interests look to the future.
Details of this year's leadership updates from Michigan State University will be added during the summer. We look forward to spotlighting MSU on the speaking program again this year!
Jim Byrum
Executive Director, Riveron
Jim Byrum serves as Executive Director at Riveron, a national business advisory firm specializing in accounting, finance, technology, and operations. In this role, Jim is bringing his decades of industry experience as a business owner and association executive to advise some of the world’s largest companies, across multiple sectors, on their operations and their long-term strategy. Jim also remains very active in Michigan agriculture, serving on the Board of Directors for Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch and helping agricultural interests look to the future.
