David Trowbridge – Director

David Trowbridge serves as Director at Index Genetics and President of Gregory Companies, where he oversees feedlot operations and genetic performance programs that enhance beef quality and profitability. As Manager of Gregory Feedlots, Inc. for nearly five decades, Trowbridge developed the Gregory Performance Management Program, a comprehensive system analyzing animal genetics, feed efficiency, and carcass data to improve retained ownership and profitability for producers nationwide. He has partnered with major universities and feed companies on large-scale research initiatives focused on cattle nutrition, health, and genetic performance. A past President of both the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and Certified Hereford Beef, Trowbridge currently serves on the boards of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation and Certified Hereford Beef. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and continues to advocate for innovation in beef production and producer education.

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W. Grant Gregory – President

W. Grant Gregory is President of Index Genetics and Chairman of Gregory & Hoenemeyer, Inc., a financial advisory firm providing mergers, acquisitions, and corporate governance counsel to U.S. and European clients. A distinguished executive and former Chairman of Deloitte & Touche, Mr. Gregory brings over four decades of leadership in finance, agriculture, and corporate governance. He has chaired audit, governance, and compensation committees for several NYSE-listed companies including Chrysler and MCI. In the beef industry, he has led profitability and branding initiatives for Swift and Company and co-chaired federal agricultural policy forums. A co-founder of DoubleClick, Inc., he also serves as Chairman Emeritus of the National Forest Foundation. Mr. Gregory holds an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Nebraska and completed advanced management programs at Harvard Business School.

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J. Scott Gregory – Financial and Strategic Executive 

Dynamic financial executive with over 20 years of experience in tax, accounting, and finance leadership for large public and private companies. Proven expertise in financial services—including banking, insurance, capital markets and agribusiness operations. As a PwC Partner, led national and regional practices, managed multimillion-dollar client portfolios, and delivered strategic tax planning that generated substantial savings and profitability gains. Known for guiding cross-functional teams through complex audits, M&A, restructuring, and regulatory engagements. Deep technical tax knowledge across C corporations, S corporations, partnerships, and estate planning. Trusted advisor to C-suite executives with a strong record of aligning tax strategies to business goals. Experienced in driving process transformation, risk management, and financial optimization. Passionate mentor and team builder committed to operational excellence, innovation, and stakeholder success.

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Dr. E. John Pollak – Senior Scientific Advisor

Dr. E. John Pollak serves as Senior Scientific Advisor at Index Genetics, contributing decades of expertise in beef cattle genetics, genomic evaluation, and research leadership. He is the former Director of the U.S. National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium, a collaboration among Iowa State University, Cornell University, the University of Georgia, and Colorado State University dedicated to advancing beef genetic improvement. Dr. Pollak also served as Center Director at the USDA Agricultural Research Service’s U.S. Meat Animal Research Center and as Acting Deputy Administrator for Animal Production and Protection in Washington, D.C. His research at Cornell University helped establish national standards for beef trait evaluations and genomic selection methods used across breeds. Internationally, he has advised programs such as Australia’s SmartGene Project and served as President of the World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production.

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Dr. Stewart Bauck – Managing Director

Dr. Stewart Bauck is Managing Director at Index Genetics, where he leads strategic genomic innovation for the livestock and beef industries. A pioneer in applying genomic tools to cattle breeding, Dr. Bauck previously served as Vice President of Genomics at Neogen Corporation and Head of the Livestock Production Business Unit at Merial Ltd. His earlier leadership roles include Country Manager for Merial Canada and Executive Director for MSD AgVet’s U.S. Livestock Division. His collaborations with Neogen and Texas A&M focus on beef genomic testing, disease resistance, and genetic prediction. Recognized with the Beef Improvement Federation Pioneer Award and the AllFlex Innovation Award, Dr. Bauck has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in animal genetics. He holds a DVM and M.Sc. from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine.

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Wesley E. Lipner – Managing Director

Wesley Lipner is Managing Director at Index Genetics and Managing Director at Green Drake, a conservation and land-use consultancy based in San Francisco and Queenstown, New Zealand. A specialist in sustainable land management, carbon markets, and biodiversity restoration, he has developed large-scale conservation easements and carbon credit programs covering over 100,000 acres in New Zealand. Lipner previously co-founded Grassy Creek and Eleven Experience, international ventures integrating real estate, hospitality, and conservation. He has executed over $200 million in acquisitions across nine countries and led environmental programs spanning habitat restoration, fire resilience, and native reforestation. An active conservationist, Lipner has worked with California Trout, the North Atlantic Salmon Fund, and The Nature Conservancy New Zealand. He earned a B.A. from St. Lawrence University and pursued graduate studies in Corporate Entrepreneurship at the University of Otago.

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Ross Havens – Director

Ross Havens serves as Director at Index Genetics and Marketing Coordinator for Nichols Farms, Ltd., one of the nation’s leading beef genetics operations. With more than 30 years of experience advancing beef breeding, sustainability, and market development, he has been a driving force in multi-generational selection for feed efficiency, carcass quality, and disease resistance. Havens currently serves on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (2020–2026), where he chairs the International Marketing Committee and sits on the Executive Board. He also co-chairs the Beef Committee for the U.S. Meat Export Federation, promoting U.S. beef worldwide. A past president of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation, he collaborates with universities and industry leaders on genomic research and validation projects. Havens earned a B.S. in Animal Science from Iowa State University.

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John Genho – Managing Director, Data and Analytics

John Genho serves as Managing Director of Data and Analytics at Index Genetics, overseeing genomic data integration, predictive modeling, and performance analytics for beef production systems. He is also founder of Genho Analytics, specializing in livestock genetic evaluation, and longtime manager of Eldon Farms, a 1,000-head cow/calf and stocker operation in Virginia. Under his leadership, Eldon Farms transitioned from decades of losses to sustained profitability. Previously, Genho built genetic evaluation systems adopted across major cattle herds and integrated his company into Neogen Corporation’s analytics platform following its acquisition. He holds an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, a Master’s in Genetics from Cornell University, and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Brigham Young University.

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Dr. Judy de Leon Jarecki-Black – General Counsel

Dr. Judy de Leon Jarecki-Black serves as General Counsel for Index Genetics and Partner and Head of the Biotech/Chemical Practice at Klintworth & Rozenblat LLP. A registered U.S. patent attorney and molecular biologist, she has led global IP strategy for major animal health companies. Previously, she served as Global Head of Patent Prosecution and Litigation at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health and as Global Head of Intellectual Property at Merial Ltd., where she sat on the R&D Leadership and Executive Teams. Dr. Jarecki-Black helped protect and expand patent portfolios for products including FRONTLINE® and NEXGARD®. Recognized in Best Lawyers in America and IAM Patent 1000, she has authored over 100 abstracts and 27 peer-reviewed papers. She holds a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Pathobiology from the Medical University of South Carolina and a J.D. from Georgia State University.

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Kurt Walters – Director 

Veterinarian, rancher, and agribusiness leader with over three decades of experience advancing livestock health, beef production, and rural veterinary practice. President and owner of K and L Cattle Company, Inc. in Buffalo, Wyoming, overseeing a cow-calf and yearling-to-finish operation and developing custom mineral and protein supplements. Founder and longtime president of Buffalo Veterinary Clinic, a beef cattle–focused mixed animal practice serving herds up to 15,000 cows. Deeply committed to education and mentorship, having guided more than 40 veterinary students through The Academy of Rural Veterinarians. Former president and 10-year board member of The Academy of Veterinary Consultants. Experienced consultant for international beef operations and active participant in national cattle production and risk management programs. A licensed veterinarian in Wyoming and Montana, he combines scientific expertise, business acumen, and community leadership to advance sustainable beef production and support rural veterinary excellence.

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Abe Sandquist – Founder and President, Natural Fertilizer Services, Inc.

Abe Sandquist is the Founder and President of Natural Fertilizer Services, Inc. (NFS), a company he established in 2007 to advance sustainable agriculture through innovative nutrient management. Prior to founding NFS, Sandquist worked with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, where he developed Nutrient Management Plans as a soil conservationist. His work revealed significant untapped potential in agricultural waste products that, when managed scientifically, could provide both economic and environmental benefits to producers. Under his leadership, NFS has become a trusted partner for crop and livestock operations seeking to optimize fertilizer resources while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations under the Clean Water Act. Through precision application, agronomic consulting, and responsible nutrient management, Sandquist has positioned NFS as a national model for sustainable farming practices that enhance productivity, profitability, and environmental stewardship.