Our 2024 USPLTA Annual Meeting is filled with exciting, informational, and talented speakers!
Mark Stewart serves as the president and CEO of Agriculture Future of America (AFA). He is responsible for leading the organization’s external relationships and strategic planning processes for short and long-term growth. He joined AFA in June 2011 as director of development and communications. Mark has extensive experience in development, fundraising, and communications, holding director and vice president roles in several organization throughout the Midwest. Mark is a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University where he received both his B.S. and M.B.A. degrees. He also earned his doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri.
This year at the annual meeting, Mark will provide insight on how to catalyze the newest generation to enter the workforce. He will share strategies and approaches to inspire and engage the next generation of leaders in food and agriculture. Mark will share actionable insights on effectively bridging the gap between Gen Z's interests and the opportunities available in our industry, transforming them into the driving force behind the future growth, change and innovation ahead of us.
JORDAN BAR AM, MCKINSEY & COMPANYJordan Bar Am works to create growth strategies with companies along the food value chain, from agricultural-input companies to branded manufacturers. Today, Jordan leads McKinsey’s global efforts on next-generation protein systems, or “alternative proteins,” as part of the McKinsey Platform for Climate Technologies. He also co-leads McKinsey’s sustainability work with consumer goods in North America.
Jordan works closely with financial sponsors investing in food and agriculture and guides them in due diligence and sell-side market studies as well as portfolio-company growth strategies.
Prior to joining McKinsey, Jordan was a primary school teacher in Morocco, a fair-trade banana importer, and a Fulbright Scholar. Outside of McKinsey, he enjoys cooking, reading history, and building Lego sets with his kids. He serves on the board of the Urban Agriculture Cooperative, a not-for-profit organization based in New Jersey that is focused on linking regional farmers with urban consumers to improve access to fresh produce.
Affectionately known as "Chef", David Colcombe has over forty years' experience working in the food and hospitality industry. He successfully led several restaurant operations, including restaurant groups in London and the Midlands. In 2015, the British Culinary Federation awarded him with the prestigious Louis Cipolla award for the "Greatest Contribution to the Profession".
A keen advocate and champion for Birmingham's hospitality scene, Chef is also a director of the Colmore Business District. He is a member of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and is regularly invited to judge culinary competitions all over the world.
As Chef Director, he heads up Liquid's dedicated food team, providing strategic guidance across all food accounts (including pulses!) from developing recipes to guiding photoshoots.
