Speakers

Keynote
Michael Swanson : “The Big Economic Picture”
Ph.D., Senior Economist and Agricultural Economist, Wells Fargo

Michael Swanson holds a doctorate in applied and agricultural economics from the University of Minnesota. As Wells Fargo's agricultural economist, Mr. Swanson represents the largest commercial agricultural lender in the country. His expertise focuses on competitive strategy and risk management for a wide variety of crops and livestock throughout the United States and internationally.

Mr. Swanson's work experience covers most segments of the agricultural food chain, including: transportation; grain trading and handling; food processing and marketing; and agricultural finance. He writes the Economic Group’s Agricultural Economic reports.

In addition to agricultural economics, he analyzes and forecasts major developments in the national and international economic arenas. His primary areas of focus internationally are Australia, Canada, and China which represent some of the most important players for the United States’ agricultural future. Mr. Swanson joined Wells Fargo as senior economist in 2000.

Luncheon speaker
Denise Wymore : “Marketing to Generation X and Y”
( denisewymore.com )

Denise Wymore has been working with cooperatives for over 25 years. She began her career as a teller for a small government employee’s credit union in Portland, Oregon.

The cooperative values of not for profit, not for charity but for service resonated with Denise. Knowing that whether you are processing a loan, advising members on investments, or helping people live within their means, what she did mattered. Five years at the Credit Union Association of Oregon during a critical legislative period honed her PR and communication skills.

Eventually Denise decided to create her own consulting business based on the premise that corporations don’t have values, people do - and the values that are at the heart of the cooperative movement are good for business and the economy. She is a cheerleader for passion and commitment.

As a Culture Consultant, Denise helps cooperatives identify their true values and creates measures and accountability.

She is the author of Tattoos: The Ultimate Proof of a Successful Brand and the blog Cult-ivation. She is also a certified Net Promoter Score® Associate.

Denise has spoken in all 50 states, and was a featured speaker at the World Council of Credit Unions in Warsaw, Poland and Brisbane, Australia.