Co-founder of McDonald Pelz (1983)
Over 45 years of experience marketing and commercializing conventional grains such as soybeans, corn, and wheat
Founded Trailhead Capital in 2017 as the venture to invest in higher growth and sustainable segments of the Food & Ag economy
Actively involved in the community as a sponsor and board member of local and international non-profits such as Boulder Bridge House, Maji Safi Group, Boulder JCC, and Boulder Homeless Shelter.
BA in environmental sciences from Hamilton College, while subsequently attending Cornell University graduate Mandarin Language program
bobby@mcdonaldpelz.com
Grain Broker, joined McDonald Pelz (1995)
Over 35 years of experience, began his career at CHS (1987)
Studied at Worthington Community College/ University of MN
vgrigsby@mcdonaldpelz.com
Broker Joined McDonald Pelz (2011)
Current head of Bulk CNF China Soybeans and US Containers
Began career in the grain industry with MPG in Brazil, 2011-2016.
Experience brokering Brazilian Container products (YSB, YC, SBM), Brazilian FOB Corn and Soybeans, US Container products (YSB, YC, SBM, DDGS, Wheat)
Bachelor of Arts from University of Colorado with a double major in History and Spanish.
Holds a Series 3 FINRA license
vlad@mcdonaldpelz.com
Global Strategist for McDonald Pelz on the Derivatives team (2018)
Over 10 years of experience, began his career with Rand Financial Services on the CBOT (2012)
Traded futures and options proprietarily full time, registered as a Commodity Trading Advisor (2016)
Holds a Series 3 FINRA license
Studied History and Business at the University of Oregon
ian@mcdonaldpelz.com
Broker/Execution Specialist, joined McDonald Pelz (2021)
Over 17 years of experience began his career on the CME Trading floor (2005)
Worked with Live Cattle Futures (2007)
Worked as a Fund Manager of a $300M Diversified Macro CTA (2010)
Worked as an Independent Trader (2016)
Studied Finance at DePaul University
Tim@mcdonaldpelz.com
CEO of McDonald Pelz (1999)
Over 36 years of experience he began his career in Agribusiness with Bartlett Grain in Kansas City (1986)
Worked with Garnac Grain/Andre and Co. in both Kansas City and Lausanne, Switzerland (1988-95)
Worked with Farmland Industries (1997-99)
BS from Kansas State University, MBA from the University of Missouri, Kansas City
jchurch@mcdonaldpelz.com
Grain Broker, joined McDonald Pelz (2015)
Over 15 years of experience, began his career with Louis Dreyfus Commodities (2010)
BS from Massachusetts Maritime Academy
jmiles@mcdonaldpelz.com
Director of Innovation, Joined McDonald Pelz (2021)
Over 12 years of experience in the commodities trading industry
Extensive professional background working at multinational commodity groups and food companies such as JBS, Gavilon Group, and Leprino Foods
Fluent in 3 languages (English, Spanish, Italian) and proficient in 2 others (French and Portuguese)
B.A. from Creighton University in Omaha, NE
riche.schafer@mcdonaldpelz.com
Co-founder of McDonald Pelz (1983)
Over 45 years of experience, started his career in the grain business with Bunge Corp. (1977)
Worked with A.C.L.I Soya
Worked with Farmers Export Company
Worked with David S. Van Vort Inc as head of export soybean broker (1980)
Graduate of Northwest Missouri State University
Asia Business Lead, Joined McDonald Pelz (2021)
Began career trading commodities for an Agri-Commodity Trader in Singapore (2012)
Experience in brokering commodities into South and South-East Asia since 2017
Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from National University of Singapore
akshay@mcdonaldpelz.com
Broker started with McDonald Pelz 2011
Primarily brokers DDGS throughout the export chain
Over 17 years of experience. Began career in Agribusiness with 21st Century Grain (2006)
BS in International Business from Minnesota State University, Mankato (’05) Finance MBA from the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota (’10)
sjohns@mcdonaldpelz.com