Name: Chase Milem

Job Title: Associate Director of Marketing – Dairy Monitoring
Company: Merck Animal Health

What education are you bringing with you to this position?

I earned a Bachelor of Science in agricultural business from Western Illinois University. About three years ago, I received an MBA from Baker University. 

Please describe your agricultural background.

I have a lifelong connection to agriculture, primarily rooted in the equipment side of the industry. I worked for a custom application business in my hometown of Erie, Illinois. This gave me great hands-on experience and deepened my passion for agriculture. The owner was a great mentor to me and influenced my desire to pursue an ag industry career. 

What are your new responsibilities?

I manage our portfolio of SenseHub Dairy monitoring technology solutions. My job is to ensure our monitoring technologies are positioned for success on dairy operations. My main focus is to clearly communicate the value of our monitoring technology – what it does and how it can improve efficiency and enhance animal care on our customers’ operations. I also help ensure our internal sales team is aligned on product messages so they can have confident, meaningful conversations with dairy producers. I’m also involved in future product development to ensure we continue to create and build the right technology tools for customers.

What previous positions have you held?

I spent several years with John Deere, where I gained experience with a wide range of agricultural operations, from large dairies to row-crop operations and cotton farms.

One key role I had was a territory manager in Amarillo, Texas. Being from western Illinois, I hadn’t been exposed to many large dairies until I worked in the Texas Panhandle. Later, I served as the go-to-market manager for John Deere hay and forage equipment across the U.S. and Canada, working closely with dairy and feed operations. Those experiences gave me a deep understanding of dairy producers’ diverse needs and how to make sure technology truly works for them and supports their success.

Who has made the biggest impact on your career?

Growing up, I had great parents who raised me to work hard, be disciplined, respect people and have integrity. Those are values I try to carry forward in everything I do. I’ve also been fortunate to work for several great leaders who’ve had a big impact on my career. The ones who stand out let me grow, sometimes by letting me learn through tough moments. They trusted me to make decisions, even when they knew I might stumble. That taught me a lot about leadership and really helped me grow.

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

My past experiences will help as we see business transformation in the dairy technology market. Fifteen years ago, cow monitoring technology was thought to be only for innovators and early adopters. Technology adoption is rapidly accelerating and becoming a “need to have” tool for successful dairy managers. I’ll be looking at multiple marketing strategies to support broader adoption of our technology. Another top priority is working with our global product development team to find and develop new technology solutions that will meet the needs of U.S. dairy producers.

Why did you choose this company?

I heard firsthand from one of my peers about this company’s culture and experienced it for myself through the interview process. From marketing to sales, every leader in the company really does care about what we’re bringing to our customers. Leaders listen to ideas at all levels – I believe there is a real opportunity to make an impact.

It’s also very exciting to work for a market leader. This company recently reached a milestone of 2 million dairy animals monitored with SenseHub technology. We continue to set the standard for precise monitoring of dairy animals from birth through breeding and lactation.

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

My main goal is to help producers understand how our monitoring technology can improve efficiency and make a real difference for their operations. That means showing the value of current solutions, helping them maximize return on investment and exploring opportunities they may not even realize exist. I also want to continue supporting customers who already have monitoring technology, making improvements that make their day-to-day lives easier. At the same time, it’s important to reach new customers and introduce solutions that automate processes and positively impact the bottom line.