The Pacesetter Pod

Hosted by Joe Mosher

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Episodes

181

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

As an agribusiness executive, you operate at the intersection of value creation and preservation. You are challenged every day to take risks and grow the business while protecting the organization, people, and customers with superior execution. From highly fragmented supply chains and capital intensive business models to exceptionally narrow margins and hyper-competitive markets, you need an edge to outperform the competition. Welcome to The Pacesetter Pod, where we explore and reveal the perspectives, insights, and approaches to deliver great results and growth in your agribusiness, through better execution.

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60 recent

August 19, 202650 min

Ep180: Patient Co-op Capital, Strategic Drift, Service Evolution | Joey Caldwell, Tennessee Farmers Cooperative

Show Highlights: The evolution of ag co-op services and today's needs. [04:02] Training mindsets co-op employees need for member success. [08:23] Is non-farm talent a threat or an opportunity for co-ops? [11:35] The need to balance side ventures with the co-op's core mission. [18:58] How co-ops can efficiently collaborate for greater scale. [26:29] Why local control matters when co-ops work together. [29:13] Management and board roles in strategy ownership. [36:45] The key to sustainable organic growth for modern co-ops. [45:18] To learn more about Tennessee Farmers Cooperative, visit their website: https://www.ourcoop.com/ Find Joey Caldwell on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/joey-caldwell-317a3bb2/ . If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/ , or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com .

August 12, 202652 min

Ep179: Investment Grade Ag and Capital Rivers vs. Reservoirs | Austin Liepold, Ascendant Partners

Show Highlights: How episodic vs. structural challenges impact ag. [04:51] Alarming fertilizer vulnerability data—why sovereignty matters. [06:00] The effects of reshoring and supply chain resilience. [06:33] Divestiture of non-core assets as a remedy for high capital costs. [07:49] The value of America's arable land and its future ownership. [15:38] Ag retail conditions ripe for consolidation and value-added services. [19:52] Should country grain elevator owners sell or hold today? [25:00] Richardson's selective Canadian elevator strategy. [31:28] Understanding co-ops as a capital reservoir or river. [33:27] How has Ceres secured scale by partnering with co-ops? [37:32] Why value-added processing benefits co-ops and farms, but less so PE. [40:09] Discover tactics for de-risking fertilizer dependency. [46:39] To explore Ascendant Partners, go to https://ascendantpartners.com/ . Connect with Austin Liepold on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinliepold/ . If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/ , or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com .

August 5, 202648 min

Ep178: Single Screen Intelligence and Data Enhanced Bushels | Grey Montgomery & Katherine Sartiano, DTN

Show Highlights: Explore what's new at DTN and their Ag Hub platform. [03:07] DTN's vision to be a data escrow solving data-sharing distrust in ag. [05:38] Problematic fragmentation and B2C treatment of farmers. [09:55] How Ag Hub IDs use cases to drive higher wallet share. [13:54] Why in-house ag-data solutions and AI can't really work. [18:03] DTN's ability to combine data with customer CRMs/ERPs. [22:19] Current and future benefits for growers through Ag Hub. [26:36] Ag Hub's decision-grade intelligence beyond digitizing workflows. [31:21] Will more data transparency worsen commoditization? [41:08] A case for traceability-driven future proofing for "data-enhanced" bushels. [43:14] Explore DTN by visiting https://www.dtn.com/agriculture . Connect with Grey Montgomery on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/greymontgomery/ . Find Katherine Sartiano on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinesartiano/ . If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/ , or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com .

July 29, 202656 min

Ep177: The Pacesetter Roundtable | Co-op CEO Succession

Show Highlights: Evolving leadership demands on ag co-op GMs or CEOs. [08:01] What are the co-op GM/CEO turnover trends and stats? [15:18] The role and risks of mergers as a succession strategy. [19:37] Why strategic clarity is crucial in succession-driven mergers. [22:14] Whose responsibility is it to lead succession planning? [25:28] Impacts of boards choosing executive search over internal CEO pipelines. [30:39] What exactly is the job of a recruiter? [32:53] Best practices to develop future CEO talent and retain runners-up. [39:26] Mitigating internal disengagement during external CEO searches. [43:24] How CEOs can foster top talent for candidate readiness. [48:19] Advice to integrate talent management and strategy. [50:57] Why performance reviews from the board-level down matter. [52:09] Discover more about Ag1Source at https://ag1source.com/brands/ag-1-source/ . To explore People Spark Consulting, visit their website at https://peoplesparkconsulting.com/ . Check out The People Spark Podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/4MDxso5DYdYbaCrJOv8tw3 . Links to past Pacesetter Pod episodes with today's guests for deeper insights: Mark Waschek on Episode 140: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5HKupTrIzI6EWK8IZVhrjQ?si=oFnYcIQGTOuj7rJxOSdsdg Kristen Ireland on Episode 74: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6vnpmQZeohfINYk1AHl82U?si=UpyQRd2nSz66nWrU5ayFdQ If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/ , or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com .

July 22, 202635 min

Ep176: The Asset-Light Co-op Pt. 4 | Is the transition survivable?

Show Highlights: Will asset-light be a tough sell in co-ops wired for asset-based value? [03:22] Risks of remote advisory with no community touchpoints. [05:52] Facing the revenue bridge in a transition to asset-light. [08:09] Can newly advisory-based ag co-ops avoid cultural drag? [10:16] Why sequence matters over speed in a major transition. [14:34] Greenfielding an asset-light co-op vs. transformation. [18:22] Building the stamina for a multi-year asset-light shift. [20:36] How to leverage disruption as an ag co-op in transition. [25:17] What the fit-for-the-future co-op could look like. [28:08] Are we ready to accept that co-ops don't have to be asset-first? [31:23] Join the dialogue on shaping the future ag co-op model. [34:37] If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/ , or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com .

July 15, 202629 min

Ep175: The Asset-Light Co-op Pt. 3 | Tech is the enabler, talent is the constraint

Show Highlights: Can ag co-ops survive with no physical community anchors? [01:50] Uncover the true core of asset-light co-ops—hint: it's not tech. [06:15] What does "acqui-hiring" in tech mean for future ag co-ops? [10:14] Discover 4 key skill demands on asset-light co-op talent. [12:17] Entrepreneurial vs. process-oriented talent profiles. [14:41] Understanding employee flight risk in asset-light co-ops. [17:55] Why talent retention needs ownership in the asset-light model. [22:18] Potential equity structures asset-light co-ops can try. [24:31] What's coming up next in the asset-light co-op series? [27:46] If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/ , or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com .

July 8, 202628 min

Ep174: The Asset-Light Co-op Pt. 2 | What replaces what we have?

Show Highlights: Two mistakes to avoid when ideating asset-light co-ops. [01:33] If you enjoy the Pacesetter Pod, help us grow at no cost! [03:12] Fathom the true cost of capital for asset-heavy co-ops. [04:29] The power of an asset-light co-op's intelligence layer. [06:04] What can co-ops stop owning with external alternatives? [07:09] How asset-light co-ops can profit from unbiased advisory services. [09:11] Do members know that co-ops are no longer one-stop shops? [11:16] Asset-light adoption and fit by 4 core lines of business. [14:54] Discover a new revenue model beyond volume in asset-light. [23:34] Next week's big topic in the asset-light miniseries. [27:05] If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/ , or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com .

July 1, 202621 min

Ep173: The Asset-Light Co-op Pt. 1 | What we built is no longer what we need

Show Highlights: What's the historical rationale for ag cooperatives? [02:14] Questions about current and future relevance of co-op solutions. [03:11] Points of high-volume member sophistication needing new co-op services. [05:20] Are co-ops largely serving shrinking member segments? [08:05] How co-op consolidation is reaching its limits of effectiveness. [09:39] The dangers of merging co-ops with the same flaws. [12:58] Discover the three real assets co-ops must aim to own. [15:15] What a reimagined asset-light co-op could look like. [15:36] Spoiler alert on this asset-light co-op miniseries! [16:56] Why you must weigh in on the "co-op of the future." [18:55] If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/ , or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com .

June 24, 202642 min

Ep172: What are the markers of a high-performing co-op board?

Show Highlights: Key points from last week's pod on co-op governance. [00:31] Is member-owner governance an asset or liability? [04:36] Why a co-op board is not a substitute for management. [07:24] Should boards prioritize co-op-wide value or district interests? [10:22] Understanding the true role of strategy for co-op boards. [14:04] The 3 scopes of decision-making and how to apply them. [18:01] Understanding vs. challenging productively with a sample discussion. [23:39] The power of assertive inquiry advocated by A.G. Lafley. [29:27] Encourage candor over costly silence in the boardroom. [32:02] The critical importance of public solidarity on decisions. [36:00] Make sure to check out the resources mentioned in the pod: Ep65: Is Decision Friction Impairing Your Agribusiness? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep65-is-decision-friction-impairing-your-agribusiness/id1674259917?i=1000657879207 Playing to Win (book by A.G. Lafley and Roger Martin) https://www.amazon.com/Playing-Win-Strategy-Really-Works/dp/142218739X If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/ , or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com .

June 17, 202632 min

Ep171: Farmer-Director Governance is a Differentiating Advantage

Show Highlights: Why the cooperative governance model exists. [03:07] The power of ground-level market intelligence in the boardroom. [07:33] Mission alignment and accountability in member-owner boards. [08:21] The problem of personal agendas on co-op boards. [12:07] Do modern scaling co-ops need corporate governance? [14:58] Are fewer future board leaders arising from ag today? [17:17] The need for continuous director education and development. [20:17] Setting explicit board/CEO boundaries and term limits. [21:11] What is the board role in your co-op's strategy? [23:49] Critical practical questions for co-op leaders and GMs. [25:10] Co-op Business Model Breakdown (Agtech - So What? podcast): https://open.spotify.com/show/7kb5rjTDpqHFC2wUmTBA5S2023 Study on farmer-director skills in ag co-ops: https://brill.com/view/journals/ifam/26/4/article-p655_4.xml?language=en If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/ , or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com .