Name: Maggie Faulkner

Job title: Director of Business Development

Company: Agri-Plastics Group of Companies

Email: Maggie Faulkner

What education are you bringing with you to this position?

For formal education, I hold an associate degree from the University of Wisconsin – Rock County. Most of what I bring comes from hands-on experience and learning directly from producers and industry professionals who graciously shared their knowledge and guidance. I’ve also completed various industry workshops and certifications to further my learning and stay current with trends. I especially value a "day in the life" approach to education. Want to understand how something works on a farm? Spend a day or more doing it; firsthand experience is truly invaluable.

Please describe your agricultural background.

I have always been around agriculture, and within my immediate family three of my four brothers all have careers in agriculture as well. My earlier years were a bit more ag-adjacent compared to my brothers’ hands-on approach growing up, until post-high school when I was indoctrinated into the equine market. I started to slowly branch into other markets over the course of my career, covering dairy, beef, swine and even row crops.

What territory will you cover?

North America.

What are your new responsibilities?

My responsibilities include leading the sales and marketing teams in North America with a focus on creating outstanding customer experiences. This includes building and fostering long-term partnerships, ensuring our solutions meet customer needs, and strengthen our reputation as the trusted cow comfort and calf housing specialists. Additionally, I will identify emerging customer needs and market opportunities, leveraging feedback to continually improve our offerings and deliver greater value. 

What previous positions have you held?

I began as a consultant specializing in equine and companion animal nutrition before expanding to cow-calf and feedlot nutrition with Purina Animal Nutrition. I then advanced to a territory sales representative and later became the national sales manager at Acumen Detection, focusing on milk quality and solutions for contagious mastitis pathogens. As the director of business development at SomaDetect, I worked with optical sensing technology to deliver actionable data insights for dairy herd management. Most recently, I served as the agriculture group director at VerticalXchange, where I oversaw strategic partnership events for key sectors, including dairy, pork, beef and row crops.

Who has made the biggest impact on your career?

I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible bosses, mentors, co-workers, professionals and producers over the years, all of whom have shaped my career in meaningful ways. What keeps me motivated every day, though, are the customers (and animals) we serve. There is nothing more rewarding to me than getting to the heart of a problem, creating meaningful solutions and helping an operation move forward. I want to deliver results that are impactful for years to come.

How will you be of most help to producers in your region or area of expertise?

I’m really excited to introduce a new CRM system that’s going to make a huge difference in how we support producers. It’ll help us streamline processes and stay more engaged with customers. This means we can respond faster, provide personalized support and ensure everything runs smoother for everyone involved.

We will start tapping into platforms like social media and email, where we will be able to share relevant updates and make sure producers have the information they need when they need it. It’s all about building stronger connections and making the customer journey as seamless and supportive as possible.

Why did you choose this company?

I chose this company because of the people. I have known several members of the sales team for many years and appreciate how they support and care for their customers. Additionally, the owner and CEO, Darren VanBuuren, has a hands-on understanding of the industry; he grew up on a dairy farm and has experience raising calves. It is a company where everyone works together as a team to get the job done, regardless of their position in the company.

What goals would you like to accomplish while in this position?

My goal is to support our team and company in effectively addressing our customers' needs to ensure their profitability and long-term success.