IN THIS ISSUE:
GETTING TO KNOW JESSE CONVERSE Learn more about Morrison People Solutions Consultant Jesse Converse.
MORRISON PEOPLE SOLUTIONS SERVICES
AMERICAN OLIVE OIL PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION:
UNIFYING THE NATION’S OLIVE OIL PRODUCERS
www.aoopa.org
Founded in 2012, the American Olive Oil Producers
Morrison & Company has been honored to have
Association (AOOPA) is the unified voice for American
worked with AOOPA, helping the nonprofit receive
olive oil producers and their state associations.
and leverage USDA grant funds. In addition,
AOOPA advocates in Washington, DC, state capitols,
services and resources, along with seven client
Morrison’s
and with partners around the world for policies for
and facilitated the US olive oil industry strategy
case studies.
fair global market access for all producers; to support
session in Davis, CA, as part of our Organizational
Morrison’s People Solutions services include Recruiting, HR Advisement, and Organizational Development. See how we’ve expanded our
effective testing, standards and regulations; and to promote education about the quality, culinary, and health benefits of olive oil. AOOPA’s mission is to promote growth for the American olive oil industry, create fair access to global markets, and ensure the
INDUSTRY NEWS Join us in welcoming new clients and celebrating industry news. It’s been a busy season for many businesses and there is much congratulations in order. Photographed above are North Valley Ag Service employees at Butte Country Farm
integrity and quality of olive oil for all consumers.
Solutions
team
coordinated
Development service area (see inside for more detail on People Solutions service areas). The strategy session brought multiple trans-disciplinary collaborators to a unified research project that will benefit growers and consumers alike.
Olive oil has been produced in the US for over 150 years, yet only about five percent of the olive oil consumed here is produced in the US. The industry is rapidly growing, with US consumers buying 90 million gallons of olive oil annually (making it the largest market outside of Europe). Nationwide,
Bureau’s Grower Day, in which they participated
approximately 43,000 acres of olives are planted
as part of a project they are doing for a doing
exclusively for the production of olive oil.
for a USDA Risk Management Education grant.
People
Above is Morrison Principal Toni Scott facilitating the strategy session held in Davis, CA.
In their efforts to serve the needs of all US olive growers and unify the industry, AOOPA applied for and was awarded a 2016 USDA NIFA Specialty Crop Research Initiative Research and Extension Planning Project grant, which funded a strategic planning session for the top industry stakeholders to meet and discuss the largest challenges that affect the industry. University researchers, growers, private
MORRISON SNAPSHOTS As we wrapped up the holidays we have a lot to be grateful for. Check out the fun season we’ve had!
WWW.MORRISONCO.NET
sector stakeholders, nutritionists, and others attended
Principal Toni Scott, AOOPA Executive Director
the two-day session designed to help stakeholders
Kimberly Houlding, UC Davis Olive Center Executive
prioritize the most severe problems for the industry to
Director Dan Flynn, and Morrison Founder Brent
align in creating a future research solution.
Morrison are photographed at the strategy session.
N E W S L E T T E R | W I N T E R 2 017
TEAM PRO G E T T I MEMBER NG T O K N O WFILE J E S S E CONVERSE
Consultant Jesse Converse is part of the Morrison & Company People Solutions Team, bringing over 15 years of human resources experience in the areas of talent management, performance management, recruiting, employee relations, HR compliance, and training. At Morrison, Jesse assists clients in navigating complex employee relations issues, improving performance and talent management processes, recruiting, and implementing standardized processes and best practices. Having worked in both the public and private sectors, including six years as HR Business Manager and HR Business Partner for a Fortune 500 company, Jesse’s experiences have included operating as a manager and provider of HR services and as a true strategic partner. He has provided strategic HR services to wholesale business units and leadership teams throughout the country, delivering strategic services such as succession planning, employee engagement, culture integration, performance management, reductions in force (RIF), organizational restructure, policy creation, process improvement, and more. Jesse is PHR certified by the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI). He has been a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the largest national HR Association in the US since 2010, and is SHRM-CP certified. Jesse is also an active member of the Butte County Human Resources Association. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management. Please visit morrisonco.net/about to learn more about Jesse or any member of the Morrison team.
Q&A WITH JESSE WHAT IS ONE IMPORTANT SKILL EVERY PERSON SHOULD HAVE? The ability to effectively communicate. I hate seeing so many people focus their time and attention on phones, devices, social media, etc. Our society seems to be losing the ability to effectively communicate with one another. I see it mostly in the younger generations, but it’s something we all need to improve.
WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRAVEL? Probably London. I am a huge tennis fan and want to someday attend Wimbledon. In my opinion, it is one of the greatest tennis tournaments in the world at one of the most beautiful venues in the world. I watch the tournament on TV every year, but want to experience it for myself.
DO YOU HAVE A HIDDEN TALENT? I love music. I can’t sing to save my life, but I have played music (piano, guitar and drums) in some fashion since I was about six years old. After I got married and started having kids it’s been more difficult and it’s something I need to spend more time doing. Every once in a while, I still pick up a guitar or play the piano just for fun.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN? I don’t know if it necessarily qualifies as “advice”, but Matthew 6:25-34 is something that I try to live by each and every day. It talks about worry and how our heavenly Father knows each need we have. All we need to do is seek Him first and everything else is taken care of.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE ACTIVITIES? Anything my kids are doing. Whether it’s soccer games, snowboarding, karate, tennis, music. I’m really into anything they are as long as it doesn’t involve Pokémon Go or Minecraft.
MORRISON PEOPLE SOLUTIONS:
FOR YOUR GREATEST ASSET—AND CHALLENGE Morrison & Company has provided recruiting and organizational HR services for
Our People Solutions team works to help clients acquire, lead, train, and retain
several years. What you may not know is that we have expanded those services
the best people possible. We also strive to implement solid HR practices and
significantly over the last two years, adding four fulltime professionals with
focus on organizational development as keys to helping businesses become top
backgrounds in recruiting, HR, organizational development, and other related areas.
performing organizations. Below are some of the needs we have helped our
(See this issue’s feature on Jesse Converse and visit morrisonco.net/people-team.)
clients fill and brief case studies on solutions we have helped achieve.
RECRUITING morrisonco.net/recruitment, morrisonco.net/people-solutions
CHIEF CREDIT OFFICER & CONTROLLER POSITIONS FOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
We approach recruiting holistically, matching talent to culture because “fit” goes deeper than what is on a resume. We utilize the most effective search tools available and leverage our extensive network of talent resources. Morrison provides an extensive report on each candidate’s experience, competency, and fit and can assist with in-house interviews, background checks, and the offer process. And our
Farm Credit Services of Colusa-Glenn,
unique fee model almost always results in significantly lower costs than standard
ACA (Agricultural Credit Association) is part of the national Farm Credit System and
commission based recruiters.
is a member-owned cooperative. Morrison was engaged to recruit and vet
DIRECTOR OF HR AND LABOR RELATIONS IN A UNION ENVIRONMENT
candidates for the critical Chief Credit Officer and Controller positions. Both positions were filled with strong candidates who we fully vetted and have proven to be excellent fits.
California’s largest rice marketer, handling approximately 20 percent of the state’s
PRESIDENT TO BUILD ON A LEGACY OF AG ADVOCACY
crop. Morrison & Company was engaged to recruit a senior HR professional with
Agricultural
strong employee relations skills and extensive union negotiation and relations
represents
capabilities in a food processing setting. The successful candidate had to work well
farmer-owned businesses, and allied
with everyone from the company’s executives to the mill. Seeing the challenges,
members,
Farmers’
Rice
Cooperative
is
Council agricultural supporting
of
California
cooperatives, over
15,000
Morrison focused on the most important criteria and deemphasized non-critical skill
farmers with legislative advocacy, issues analysis, political action, public relations,
sets to broaden the field while ensuring the critical talents and experience. Ongoing
campaign analysis, and regulatory implementation. Needing to recruit its first
calibrations were made to job postings and other outreach methodologies to attract
President from outside the organization in decades, the Board engaged Morrison
candidates strongest in the essential skills, and a highly versatile, qualified, and
& Company based on our extensive contacts. The result was the recruiting of Emily
experienced HR professional was brought on to the FRC team.
Rooney, then Director of Farm Policy for the California Farm Bureau Federation. After overlapping with the previous president, Emily has led the organization to new prominence, helping keep its members productive and competitive.
PEOPLE SOLUTIONS ADVISEMENT morrisonco.net/people-solutions The diverse experience of our People Solutions team provides outsource advisement including interim or long-term HR management in areas including compliance, compensation, workforce planning, and employee relations.
HR “HEALTH REPORT” Taylor Brothers Farms (TBF) is the world’s largest producer and processor of
organic
prunes
and
a
global
distributor of conventional prune products. A long-time Morrison & Company client in several service areas, TBF has operations in the US, Europe, and Asia. To ensure efficiency and compliance in an increasingly complex regulatory environment, TBF asked us to assess their human resources functions. We performed an extensive onsite assessment that included practices related to hiring, onboarding, wages and hours, and employee relations, as well as employee handbooks, personnel files, and I-9 compliance. We provided TBF an in-depth HR “health status” report outlining our findings and recommendations, which is being used to improve the company’s compliance and efficiency.
REDUCING EMPLOYEE TURNOVER AND INCREASING ENGAGEMENT Seeking to maintain a high quality workforce and alleviate turnover, a multifaceted company with diverse operations engaged Morrison & Company to survey employee satisfaction and engagement (commitment and enthusiasm). Employee meetings were held and over 100 were surveyed confidentially; the results were
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT morrisonco.net/people-solutions Organizational health is essential to business success. We partner with clients to provide diagnostic and strategic approaches to optimizing performance. Service areas include strategic planning; talent development; comprehensive HR assessments; engagement and satisfaction surveys; succession planning; and organizational alignment.
(SHRM). Over 60 positions were researched for compensation competitiveness;
SUCCESSION AND TRANSITION ASSISTANCE
further, a compensation survey of similar business was conducted for selected
Sheraton Real Estate Management, a
benchmarked against national surveys by the Society of Human Resource Managers
commercial and residential property
positions. The results were used to craft a comprehensive compensation philosophy and strategies to improve employee engagement and reduce turnover.
management and maintenance company in northern California, was nearing a transition point. Accordingly, the company asked our assistance in refining their vision, strategy, and organizational structure, plus guidance with various scenarios and opportunities. Morrison met regularly with ownership to serve as a “sounding board” and for guidance on opportunities and challenges. The company has since spun-off several service segments, and we continue to advise regarding goals and vision.
FACILITATING MERGER DISCUSSIONS As part of their strategic planning, two regional competitors in the handling and marketing of agricultural commodities wished to explore the benefits and challenges of a possible business combination. Along with performing independent financial projections and operational analysis, Morrison & Company facilitated preliminary conversations between the two, including the basic principles for a non-disclosure agreement to ensure open and frank– but confidential– discussions, many of which we facilitated. While the competition between the two was friendly, an atmosphere that is both structured and open is critical to discussions of this importance.
THERE’S MORE! See bios of our People Solutions team at morrisonco.net/people-team and visit morrisonco.net for information on more case studies and our other service lines: Financial & Accounting Interim/Outsource, Planning & Feasibility, and Grants.
WELCOME NEW CLIENTS
INDUSTRY NEWS Here you’ll find updates on industry news and a number of our clients’
in this space. Send any press releases, newsletters, or endeavors to Camille at
achievements and milestones, and the great things happening in their
chogan@morrisonco.net. Congratulations to all of the Morrison & Company clients
companies or organizations. We invite you to share your business highlights
below on their successful undertakings!
Check out our blog for full details at www.morrisonco.net/blog/article/over2-million-in-grant-funding-awarded-to-morrison-company-clients.
MORRISON & COMPANY IS PROUD TO CO-SPONSOR EVENT
FEATURING
PATRICK
LENCIONI.
Chico
Executive
Group’s 2017 Symposium will be held at the Sierra Nevada Big Room in Chico, CA where New York Times best-selling business author and founder of Table Group Inc., Patrick Lencioni, will be presenting. He is best known for his books The Five Dysfunctions of a Team and The Advantage. Tickets to the March 30th event can be purchased at: http://chicoexecutivegroup.com/events/.
RORY CROWLEY OF NICOLAUS NUT COMPANY is publicly advocating for farmers and California agriculture through leadership and media outlets. In December, Rory graduated from the Almond Board of California’s Almond Leadership Program and presented on the topic of almond byproducts at the organization’s annual Almond Conference in Sacramento, CA. Additionally, look out for Rory in the Chico Enterprise Record, where he is now a 2017 monthly columnist for North State Voices. Rory also wrote an article for The Sacramento Bee earlier this year titled “Congress Can Help Young Farmers Succeed.” The article can be found at
OVER $2 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING WAS AWARDED the
www.sacbee.com/opinion/california-forum/article93788622.html.
past few months for applications Morrison & Company submitted on behalf of our clients through the USDA Value Added Producer Grant program, the CDFA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, and the USDA Risk Management Education Program. Included among the many successful client awardees was Top O’ The Morn Farms, a California family-owned dairy that produces and markets glassbottled milk, which received $250,000 in Value Added Producer Grant funding to help the dairy expand to a new geographic market. Grant funds will help pay for processing, distribution, sales support, and promotions. Other successful Morrison clients include North Valley Ag Services, which received nearly $100,000 through USDA’s Risk Management Agency to train
MC2
DESIGN
GROUP,
INC.
AQUIRES
TWO
CHICO
BUSINESSES: HARBOR FIRM, LLC. & TARMA DESIGNS. This December, MC2 Design purchased Harbor Firm, a small web design firm, and Tarma Designs, an outdoor-lifestyle jewelry brand created using socially-responsible materials. MC2 Design is looking forward to continuing
Northern California farmers on Quickbooks and financial benchmarking,
relationships with incoming clients from both businesses and providing
and Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association, which received more than
access to more marketing, creative services, expanding growth, and
$200,000 through California’s Specialty Crop Block Grant program to
introducing new products. Check them out at www.mc2design.com and
promote and market the region’s winegrapes.
www.tarmadesigns.com.
MORRISON & COMPANY
PRST STD U.S. POSTAGE
10 Landing Circle, #5 Chico, California 95973
PAID PERMIT #1833 CHICO,CA
P H O N E : 5 3 0 . 8 9 3 . 4 7 6 4 • FA X : 5 3 0 . 8 9 3 . 4 9 7 8 PL ANNING & FE A SIBILIT Y • INTERIM /OU T SOURCE RECRUITMENT • PEOPLE SOLU TIONS • GR ANT S
MORRISON SNAPSHOTS
FARMER’S RICE COOPERATIVE ANNUAL MEETING Morrison Founder Brent Morrison caught up with rice industry leaders at the Farmer’s Rice Cooperative Annual Meeting this November. Photographed above is Brent and Sun Valley Rice CEO Ken LaGrande.
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF FARM MANAGERS AND RURAL APPRAISERS (ASFMRA) In October, Morrison sent a team of consultants to
ASFMRA
California
Chapter’s
Annual
2016
Fall Meeting in Chico, California. Photographed above from left to right are Morrison team members Carissa Rystrom, Brent Morrison, Shawn Miller, Rod Carter from Agriculture and Business Professionals, Inc., and Morrison team members Tim Peters and Geoff Chinnock.
CATCHING UP WITH MORRISON CLIENT CALIFORNIA OLIVE RANCH This fall, a team of Morrison consultants attended a luncheon hosted by the Chico Chamber’s Young
MORRISON GIVES BACK
Professionals Organization (YPO) featuring California
The holidays are a season of giving. This Thanksgiving
Olive Ranch’s VP of Agriculture Mayo Ryan. We
Morrison formed a large team to attend Chico’s
enjoyed hearing Mayo speak on the olive oil industry
CONSULTANTS ON ICE!
annual Run For Food that supports The Jesus Center,
and his insights. Photographed are a group of
We branched out this year and held our annual
a local resource center for those living in poverty. For
attendees with Mayo, including Morrison Principal Toni
company Christmas party at the ice skating rink in
Christmas, Morrison employees paired up to shop for
Scott (third from the left), Morrison Client and North
Paradise, CA. We shared delicious food and comical
children and families in need to partake in a local
Valley Ag Services President Mark Pierce (second from
entertainment as we attempted to skate. It was a
church’s giving tree program.
the left), and Mayo Ryan (middle). Photo credit: YPO.
beautiful night to remember with family and friends.
WWW.MORRISONCO.NET
N E W S L E T T E R | W I N T E R 2 017