The SAYeTECH Advisory Board
The Board of Advisors comprises diverse experts: Dr. Kerry Clark, a seasoned researcher in international agricultural development; Alexander Kulitz, a German entrepreneur and former politician; Ing. Kakra Sersah, a Ghanaian engineering leader; Jehiel Oliver, CEO of Hello Tractor; and Randall Renze, a retired John Deere professional. Together, they offer a spectrum of expertise from agricultural innovation to legal counsel, facilitating partnerships, empowering rural entrepreneurs, navigating regulatory landscapes, and enhancing impact in mechanization and agribusiness sectors globally. Their collective guidance aims to steer the company towards strategic growth and sustainable development.
Dr. Kerry Clark
Dr. Kerry Clark
Profile
Dr. Kerry Clark serves as the Director for CAFNR (College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources) International Programs at the University of Missouri. Additionally, she holds the position of Assistant Research Professor in the Division of Applied Social Sciences (DASS) and serves as the Project Manager for Smallholder Productivity for the USAID Soybean Innovation Lab. Dr. Clark holds three degrees from CAFNR: a BSc in Agricultural Journalism, an MS in Agronomy, and a PhD in Soil Science.
Throughout her career, Dr. Clark has extensively worked internationally. In her role with the USAID Soybean Innovation Lab (SIL), she collaborates with a multidisciplinary team, integrating seed quality and sociological research. For over 15 years, she has facilitated projects in Costa Rica, where she partners with the University of Missouri to advance soybean lines in a winter nursery in Upala, Costa Rica.
Since 2016, Dr. Clark has been instrumental in developing and implementing programs focused on local manufacturing of agricultural equipment across Africa. Operational projects under her purview span Uganda, Malawi, Tanzania, Ghana, and Burundi.
Advisory Role
Dr. Clark will assist the company in building strong partnerships with other mechanization and agribusiness firms, fostering collaborations that will continue to enhance our impact in the industry.
Alexander Kulitz
Alexander Kulitz
Profile
Alexander Kulitz is a prominent German entrepreneur, lawyer, and politician. He plays a key role as a shareholder and executive board member in the third generation of his family’s machine manufacturing company, ESTA Apparatebau (www.esta.com). In addition to his responsibilities at ESTA, Kulitz manages his own law firm and holds investments in various other businesses.
In the political arena, Kulitz served as an elected member of the 19th German Bundestag, representing the ‘Free Democratic Party.’ During his tenure, he held the position of spokesperson on ‘foreign economic relations and trade’ and was a standing member of the foreign affairs committee. His advocacy and expertise in these areas contributed significantly to shaping German foreign policy.
Prior to his political career, Kulitz demonstrated leadership as the President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the largest association of young executives and entrepreneurs in Germany. Through his involvement in this organization, he championed initiatives to support and empower the next generation of business leaders.
Overall, Alexander Kulitz’s multifaceted career highlights his dedication to entrepreneurship, law, and public service, making him a respected figure in both the business and political spheres of Germany.
Advisory Role
Alexander will provide invaluable assistance to the company by offering fundraising advice for its innovative business model aimed at empowering rural women as entrepreneurs. With his expertise and connections, he will facilitate manufacturing processes and introduce the company to key networks that can propel its growth and impact in the industry.
Ing Kakra Sersah
Ing Kakra Sersah
Profile
Ing. Kakra Sersah, boasting over 14 years of experience, stands as a prominent figure within Ghana’s engineering and project management realm. His extensive expertise encompasses power systems, project execution, and engineering economics, reflecting his profound understanding of the field. As a testament to his entrepreneurial drive, Sersah co-founded SBINC Solutions, showcasing his innovative spirit and commitment to advancing the industry.
Actively engaged in Ghana’s development, Sersah spearheads electrification projects and provides advisory services to the Ministry of Energy, demonstrating his dedication to driving progress in crucial sectors. Furthermore, his involvement in various boards, including Dext Technology (focused on educational technology) and Solar Taxi (dedicated to sustainable transportation), underscores his multifaceted approach to fostering sustainable development.
At Adroit Bureau, where he serves as Director and Chairman, Sersah continues to champion excellence in software development, further enhancing his reputation as a leader in the field. His diverse portfolio and unwavering commitment to excellence not only solidify his position as a valuable asset in engineering but also underscore his integral role in propelling Ghana’s overall development forward.
Advisory Role
Drawing from his esteemed expertise garnered from working with successful brands worldwide, Ing. Kakra Sersah will provide invaluable advisory services to the company. His extensive experience qualifies him to offer guidance on various aspects of business operations, including taxation and government contracts. With a proven track record in navigating complex business landscapes, Sersah’s insights will undoubtedly contribute to the company’s strategic decision-making and overall success.
Randall Renze
Randall Renze
Profile
Having worked with John Deere in the past, Randy’s experience included 9 years of experience in product safety, standards and compliance, 2 years in product evaluation and 15 years in product support, technical publications and product marketing along with an additional 10 years in product pricing, complete goods and industrial engineering. During this time I represented John Deere, agricultural equipment manufacturers, industry and the USA in; international standards development within the International Standards Organization (ISO) and national standards development within ASABE; technical, safety and regulatory issue management through the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and soil and water conservation efforts through the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC). These efforts provided me with the opportunity to present to and work with organizations like the USDA, EPA, Cooperative Extension Service and NGO’s as well as several international organizations.
Since retiring from John Deere in 2015, he’s immersed himself in volunteer work, notably with the World Food Prize Foundation and the Food Bank of Iowa. He remains active in agricultural organizations, including the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, the Iowa Soybean Association, and the Iowa Corn Growers Association. Additionally, he contributes to national and international standards activities for agricultural equipment through his membership in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. Despite still managing an LLC for product safety, his extensive background at John Deere spans various roles, encompassing product safety, standards, compliance, evaluation, support, technical publications, marketing, pricing, and industrial engineering. Throughout his tenure, he represented John Deere and the industry in international and national standards development, managed technical and regulatory issues, and collaborated with organizations like the USDA, EPA, Cooperative Extension Service, NGOs, and international bodies such as the International Standards Organization (ISO).
Advisory role
Having worked with several successful brands around the world, Randall will assist the company in building a strong firm and partnerships with other mechanization and agribusiness firms that can continue to help the company have a strong impact and therefore execute successfully.
Jehiel Oliver
Jehiel Oliver
Profile
Jehiel Oliver is the founder and CEO of Hello Tractor, an agricultural technology company that connects tractor owners with smallholder farmers in need of tractor services. At Hello Tractor, Jehiel is responsible for overall management and strategy. He has been honored with numerous awards for his work in social entrepreneurship including being recognized by Foreignm Policy Magazine as a Top 100 Global Thinker and a World Economic Forum Circulars inaugural cohort member. He was appointed under the Obama Administration to serve two years as a member of the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa, where he most recently chaired the technology sub committee. Throughout his career, Jehiel has sat on various investment fund boards and currently serves on the board of directors for Root Capital. Prior to Hello Tractor, Jehiel worked in the US in investment banking, private equity, and consulting. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Nairobi, Kenya
Advisory Role
Leveraging his esteemed expertise in working with successful brands across the world, Jehiel brings on board his expertise in operating a similar business like SAYeTECH to assist the Company with ideas and in developing strategies. Jehiel will also, assist the Company in rolling out the business model for transforming rural female smallholder farmers into entrepreneurs.