Club Advisors

Dr. Amani Elobeid

Dr. Amani Elobeid

Amani Elobeid is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Economics and a faculty member in the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) at Iowa State University (ISU). She is also the Ron and Lynn Deiter Endowed Chair for Sustaining Excellence in Agricultural Business. She teaches Principles of Economics courses as well as a course on agricultural markets and one on money, banking and financial institutions. She also leads an annual study abroad trip to the United Arab Emirates. Her research work focuses on agricultural policy analysis and the impact of biofuels on agriculture and the environment. She has expertise in the modeling and analysis of agricultural and biofuel markets. Her work has been published in American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, Energy Economics, Energy Policy, Environmental Research Letters, Land Use Policy, and Science, among others. Elobeid received a BS in economics from the University of Khartoum, Sudan. She first came to Iowa State University as a Fulbright Scholar where she completed her MS and PhD in economics.

Contact Information

Want to talk to Dr. Elobeid?

Office: 166D Heady Hall

Phone: (515) 294-8122

Email: [email protected]

Address: Heady Hall, 518 Farm House Lane, Ames, IA 50011-1054

Department of Economics, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-1070

John Reasoner

Mr. John Reasoner

John Reasoner is an Academic Advisor in the Department of Economics, primarily working with students majoring in Agricultural Business. John co-coordinates the Agricultural Business and Economics Learning Community with Dr. Ebby Luvaga, and teaches two classes. John is a lifelong Iowan who grew up in Creston and completed an undergraduate program in History and Social Studies Education at the University of Iowa. He taught 10th grade world history for two years at Creston, Iowa prior to making a career switch into his current position in the Department of Economics. John’s favorite part about working with the Ag Business Club is being able to see his students grow professionally and as leaders.

Contact Information

Want to talk to Mr. Reasoner?

Office: 166E Heady Hall

Phone: (515) 294-5765

Email: [email protected]

Fax: 515-294-4545

Address: Heady Hall, 518 Farm House Lane, Ames, IA 50011-1054

Department of Economics, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-1070

Craig Welter

Craig Welter

Craig graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business and minors in Agronomy and Ag Systems Technology in May 2018. During his time at Iowa State, Craig served in several leadership roles for the Agricultural Business Club on campus and participated in a study abroad course in Panama. Craig joined Hertz Farm Management in June 2018 as a farm manager and licensed real estate salesperson in the Nevada, IA office. In this role, Craig manages, sells, and acquires properties for landowner clients across central Iowa.

Rhonda Young

Rhonda Young

Rhonda was born and raised in Walnut, Iowa. With an eye toward ag lending, she obtained her B.S. degrees in both Agricultural Business and Public Service and Administration in Agriculture from Iowa State University in 2004. Following graduation, she began working for Farm Credit Services of America as a Financial Officer. Shifting direction, she began working as a Marketplace Training Specialist, where she consulted on various organizational initiatives and also created and facilitated the training. During that time, she obtained her M.S. in Adult Learning and Organizational Performance from Drake University. While she enjoyed developing others, she eventually went back to her roots in agricultural credit, working as a Credit Analyst evaluating financials and seeking financial solutions to serve the needs of producers. Rhonda continues to work at FCSAmerica as a Credit Officer focused on the swine industry. Outside of work, Rhonda volunteers when time allows. From 1999-2019 she held various roles within Iowa Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership, including Corporate Board secretary, alumni advisor, and treasurer. In more recent years, she has spent time volunteering with local organizations in and near Waukee, Iowa, where she resides with her husband and 2 children. In her free time, Rhonda enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, lifting weights, cycling, and traveling.

Interested in being an industry advisor?

Please contact us at [email protected]