Annelisa is a Co-Chair of the Communications and PSA Cares Committees for the Pacific Seed Association. She is the CAO/ HR/ Finance or Berger International LLC.
Prior to working at Berger International, Annelisa worked as a Project Manager for Ascentium Corporation, an interactive marketing and technology consulting firm where she managed a wide range of projects, including ones involving IT infrastructure and software development. Previously, she worked as a Project Coordinator for Bailiwick Data Systems, a low voltage remodeler for big box stores such as Home Depot and Target as well as in the shared services department at General Mills.
Annelisa currently serves on the board for Griffin’s Place nonprofit which works to “Empower individuals 14 years old into adulthood who have intellectual/developmental disabilities with the knowledge and opportunities they need to engage in the community.” https://www.griffinsplace.com/
We asked Annelisa a few questions about her thoughts on the Industry, her career and a few fun questions about herself.
PSA Questions
How does PSA benefit your company?
PSA has benefited our company because it’s a great way to learn more about seed industry news and issues. PSA provides education as well as provides opportunities to network with others in the seed industry.
What’s your favorite part of being a member of PSA?
I like the networking at the PSA conventions and being able to get to know people in a laidback environment.
How many PSA events have you attended? What have you enjoyed about them? Favorite PSA convention location?
I have attended 4 of PSA conferences and several of the Lunch & Learn calls. Favorite convention location: any of the Hawaiian islands
Industry Questions
What do you love most about the seed industry?
What I love most about the seed industry is the people I have met through the years and continue to meet!
What industry publications do you listen to, watch, or read?
Industry publications I listen to, watch, or read:
Newsletters: Farm Bureau, OSA, PSA, WSA, Oregon Seed Council, ASTA, AgCultured Consulting, McMinnville Chamber of Commerce, Washington County Chamber of Commerce;
Publications: Capital Press, Seed World, Farm Journal, Pacific Nut Producer, SEDCOR
Other: Oregon Farm Bureau Monthly Membership Briefings, lPSA Quarterly Lunch & Learns
What professional growth books have you read recently?
Some of the personal growth books I have read lately are The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg, Business Model Generation by Alexander Osterwalder & Yves Pigneur and Lemon Leadership by Brett Johnson.
Career Questions
What career advice do you live by?
Advice I live by is “Strive to be a lifelong learner.” “Do what you say you will do.” “Live your life, not someone else’s!”
Future goals and aspirations for your career?
My goals and aspirations for my career right now are to keep learning and growing!
What do you/did you love the most about your job?
What I love most about my job is the variety it brings as well as some of the awesome people I get to work with!
Fun Questions
Favorite place you’ve traveled?
One of my favorite places I have travelled was to Australia for the ISF conference several years ago
Where are you from? Where did you go to school?
I am from Hillsboro, OR int he Helvetia area. My family had horses, cows, dogs and cats as well as a small U-Cut Christmas Tree farm. I went to college at Saint Olaf in Northfield, MN and got to study abroad for J-Term in Budapest, Hungary.
What’s your go-to comfort food?
My go to go-to comfort food is homemade mac and cheese
A recent movie you watched that blew you away?
I loved the “Top Gun: Maverick” movie. I saw it multiple times in the theater.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I can be both a morning person and a night owl. I prefer getting my work done early and being able to do fun stuff as a night owl!