Research & Development and Educational Programs

Next Executive Vice President Appointed

The Beet Sugar Development Foundation (BSDF) is pleased to announce the hiring of Anna Murphy as the next Executive Vice President. Anna will be working with the existing Executive Vice President, Paul Pfenninger, over the next few months as he transitions into retirement. Anna earned her bachelor’s degree from Calvin College, in Grand Rapids, MI, with a degree in Biology and a master’s degree in Plant Breeding and Genetics from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. Since her graduation she has utilized marker-assisted breeding techniques to select for and improve Aphanomyces and Fusarium disease tolerance in sugar beets with Syngenta Seeds. She has also had roles in Product Evaluation/Management at Hilleshog Seed and Supply Management at Magno Seed.

Anna will utilize her technical background and experience in the sugar beet industry to help BSDF advance its long-lasting relationship with USDA-ARS. Working together with USDA-ARS and industry leaders to provide solutions for today’s sugar beet agricultural and processing challenges is the ultimate goal of the Foundation. She will also be responsible for overseeing the McGinnis Institute of Beet Sugar Technology Schools (MIBST), which includes Beet End, Sugar End, along with the Agriculture School. These schools are critical for providing training sessions for the next generation of sugar beet technologists.

As Executive Vice President, Anna will also provide leadership for the American Society of Sugar Beet Technologists (ASSBT). The ASSBT’s function is the promotion and dissemination of scientific knowledge. The association’s cooperation with the sugar beet industry, allows the business to remain competitive and successful.

We welcome Anna Murphy to the Beet Sugar Development Foundation. She will be working out of the Denver office and will officially begin on Monday, January 11. We wish her the very best in her new responsibilities.