The PRX Geographic Team

As a networked organization, PRX Geographic taps the expertise of top minds in the industry for each project as needed. Each PRX Geographic engagement is led by Marty Ruikka.

Marty Ruikka, PRX Geographic
	In 1984, Marty began his career in the analysis of complex data systems in automotive market research at Strategic Research and Consulting in Toledo, Ohio. SRC conducted confidential pre-market product research for two of the big three automotive manufacturers. Marty worked with Bill Hudson in the late 1980s to launch the ProExporter Network, laying the foundation for the Network’s grain fundamentals data publications. In 1993, Marty and Bill decided to launch a geographic information system of transportation gaming, now known as CMZA (Commodity Market Zone Analysis). Over a three-year period working closely with NASA's Space Remote Sensing Center at the Stennis facility in Mississippi, Marty commercialized this new analysis capability. Marty has used CMZA to help rationalize many mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures and to establish the strategic origination plans for many grain companies and cooperatives.
BILL HUDSON, THE PROEXPORTER NETWORK
	Bill Hudson - is an international speaker and writer on agribusiness trends, a former member of USDA's National Advisory Board, and past Vice President of The Andersons. Bill was educated in mathematics, history and English at The University of Kansas. His books include Executive Economics (Wiley,1993) and Intellectual Capital (Wiley,1993). He recently prepared "Global Markets, Strategies for Growth" for the NGFA. Bill Hudson started The ProExporter Network® (PRX) in 1988, after 15 years with The Andersons of Maumee, Ohio. Bill’s goal was to develop “new approaches to understanding world and US agribusiness,” and he assembled a network of senior consultants to carry out this vision. Today, PRX serves most major grain companies, railroads, processors, and barge companies. The PRX database is unparalleled in completeness and detail for US corn, soybeans, and wheat cash price and transportation analysis.
BILL HOLBROOK, HCS LLC
	Bill Holbrook was raised on a diversified crop and livestock farm in north central Kansas and was active in production agriculture until graduating from college. He received a BS in Agricultural Economics and an MBA in Finance, both from Kansas State University. While in college, Bill worked for the Cooperative Extension Service conducting research on cooperative equity management and long term strategic financial planning while assisting both cooperatives and private business with strategy development. After completing his degrees, Bill worked in a major agricultural firm for 13 years, at various times directing market and feasibility analysis projects ranging from grain/grain processing to fertilizer, retail petroleum, and feed. In addition, he was responsible for business development and worked with other agricultural businesses to develop joint ventures and marketing alliances. Bill’s quality research and analysis services are driven by his desire to see agricultural companies make sound business decisions.

An Affiliate of the ProExporter Network

The ProExporter Network® was established in 1988 by William J. Hudson (formerly Senior V.P. of The Andersons of Maumee, Ohio) and John P. Stewart (an Introducing Broker for Iowa Grain). The network quickly included other consultants, and focused on US corn, soybeans, and wheat cash market factors and transportation—with studies and reports ranging from world demand and Chinese politics to corn movement via the PNW, ocean freight spreads, and processor and elevator origination areas at the sub-county level.

Powerful new approaches to understanding world and US agribusiness have come from the voluntary association of this small group of senior consultants—persons with proven talent and originality, with a lifetime of market experience, and with the innate desire to cooperate with and compliment each other’s abilities.

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