Pat Kahle Dairy Enterprise Account Manager Adrian, Michigan Arm & Hammer

Please describe your agricultural background.
I have been involved in agriculture all of my life. I grew up on a farm in northwest Ohio and have served the industry in several different capacities throughout my career. The last 17 years I have been deeply rooted in dairy, and it has become my passion. I enjoy seeing dairy producers thrive and reach new personal proficiencies.

What territory will you cover?
I am working with dairy producers and nutritionists in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Maine.

What are your new responsibilities?
I am working with dairy producers and nutritionists in my territory to help enhance their businesses, achieve their goals and identify solutions to challenges. In addition, my role is to help them understand how our proven portfolio can benefit their business, productivity and profitability.

What previous positions have you held?
I have held various account manager and national account manager roles in the animal health and nutrition industries for companies such as Pfizer Animal Health, Monsanto and Milk Products, Inc. I have also been an operations manager for a large dairy farm.

I have been very fortunate to have had positions that focused on several key segments of the dairy industry, including calf and heifer raising, reproduction, milk quality, forages and human resources.

Who has made the biggest impact on your career?
I’ve had the opportunity to work for several outstanding managers in my career. The best advice I’ve received was, “No matter what the outcome, always do the right thing.” In a complex world where there are many options and choices, that advice has proven to be sage advice and following it has served me well.

How will you be of most help to producers in your region or area of expertise?
My experience managing a large dairy gives me insight into understanding the day-to-day challenges producers face, as well as the financial decisions that must be made to operate a successful business. In addition, the other positions I have held have provided a broad base of industry knowledge and experience that will help me help my customers succeed.

Why did you choose this company?
This company has great people who are team-oriented and understand the dairy business. It also has well-researched products and is a company with a lot of integrity and a rich history of innovation. It’s satisfying to bring creative innovation and solutions to your customer base.

What goals would you like to accomplish while in this position?
My ultimate goal is to serve dairy producers and the industry and contribute to its long-term growth and profitability. I enjoy long-term, trusting relationships with customers and will extend that philosophy in my new role.

I prefer to align my goals with those of the dairy producers and nutritionists with whom I work and strive to bring them information and products that add value to their businesses, improve their margins and assist in meeting their goals.

When they benefit from products with excellent research, quality and performance, we all win. I want to make a positive impact using my accumulated knowledge and experiences.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself as a significant contributor to my customers and Arm & Hammer. The power of teamwork is remarkable and I have seen how much can be accomplished when people work together. I hope to foster and facilitate this goal in everything I do. I see this as being a vital component to our collective success—both now and in the years to come. PD