Q&A with AURI Board Member Art Brandli
About Art Brandli: After serving four years in the U.S. Navy, Brandli earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and a master's degree in business administration (MBA) from the University of Minnesota. During that time he worked for 3M and Control Data companies. In 1973 he and his wife, Nancy, began farming in northern Minnesota, raising wheat, barley, sunflowers, canola, soybeans, and grass seed. At one time, they had a 130-head cow/calf operation. In retirement, Brandli is managing a transition from production agriculture to forest and wildlife production for the new owner.
Brandli has chaired several boards throughout Minnesota including a university advisory board, a local supply cooperative board, a statewide farm marketing cooperative board, the Wheat Research & Promotion Council, and a regional foundation. In addition, he chaired the national Wheat Foods Council and served on the U.S. Wheat Associates board. He also serves on a multi-state biotechnology board.
Why did you initially want to serve on AURI's board? I was intrigued by the ability of AURI to impact so many areas of agriculture, from small to large and traditional to unique, with its technical support capabilities for entrepreneurs.
What are the top 1-3 major accomplishments or "big wins" you've seen at AURI during your time on the board? A big plus that I've seen is the development of the agbioscience strategy with Battelle that identifies agriculture research areas of opportunity in Minnesota.
Is there a client project that stands out in your mind as being extremely interesting or impactful? There are so many projects that show great potential, but the one that stands out is EarthClean's corn- and soy-based fire retardant. It is very impressive.
|
|
AURI officially marked its 25th anniversary on June 4, 2014, and will be celebrating this milestone throughout 2014. Thanks to everyone who has helped us serve the small- and medium-sized businesses who are helping grow our economy.
|
|
It was out of new parent exhaustion that Renee Peters first discovered her passion for juicing. Renee and her husband, Tim, realized that there was a market of other people who wanted the nutritional benefits of juicing-without the work of doing it themselves and with the promise of good taste. Out of this idea came Zula Juice.
AURI client