Longtime AEM employee and Senior Director of Agriculture Services Anita Sennett has announced she will retire from the association, effective June 30.
Sennett shared her decision with AEM earlier this month, and her impending retirement was communicated to association staff shortly thereafter. In addition, it was announced Sennett will continue after June as a consultant to AEM working as the Global Secretariate for the Agrievolution Alliance, a coalition of international agriculture equipment manufacturing organizations.
“I’ve always been lucky enough to be able to say that I love what I do. That is in large part because of the passionate, dedicated people that I’ve had the privilege of working with – our members, board members, farmers and other agriculture stakeholders as well as AEM staff,” said Sennett. “ Not many people have the opportunity to see fierce competitors work together for the good of their industry. To help lead those efforts has truly been rewarding.”
“Anita is a tireless advocate for our members and a positive force behind the organization’s leadership in the global agriculture industry,” said AEM Senior Vice President Curt Blades. “AEM and the equipment industry are better because of her work. During the next few months, we will be working on an appropriate transition plan to ensure Anita’s key member-facing and organizational activities continue without disruption.”
Sennett joined AEM in 2007 as the association’s Ag Services Coordinator, after having spent 16 years working for custom value-added food products supplier OSI Group. She was promoted to manager and director roles, before assuming her current position as Senior Director of Ag Services in 2017.
During her time with the association, Sennett worked to launch a product-specific leadership group discipline in the ag sector, ranging from sprayers to dairy robotics and manure management. She also reengaged AEM’s Component Members Executive Committee and worked to establish the Agrievolution Alliance, as well as led AEM’s efforts in ag technology and engagement with the Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF). She has also served on the show management committee for the Commodity Classic agriculture trade show.
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