The final Professional Development Award of Excellence was presented to Margaret Wallace Oldham, Beck Ag Com, Inc., in the area of sales.

During a brainstorming session with FMC Corporation, Oldham was asked by the sales and marketing managers in the room about how FMC could bring differential value to their newly identified Star Retailers without simply adjusting pricing in the marketplace. Oldham, a 13-year Ag industry veteran including six years as Director of Business Development with Beck Ag Com, began to understand FMC’s objective to differentiate not only themselves but also their customers, the Star Retailers. Under the premise customers who are strong, profitable and knowledgeable build a stronger agriculture industry and create greater success for all – the FMC Business Academy was born. The FMC Business Academy offers Star Retailers an opportunity to gain access to third party subject experts, share innovative ideas and work on skill sets to improve their business. All of the Academy’s offerings are designed to be Just-In-Time- Learning (JITL) for timely impact on both the retailer and FMC’s business.