Ben Donaker graduated from Ohio State with a degree in agricultural communication in 2007. Since graduating 10 years ago, he has worked for Nestle USA in a variety of sales roles, with honors at all levels. He is currently an area business coordinator covering multiple states.
[ACEL]:Why did you select agricultural communication as your major?
[Donaker]: I chose agricultural communications because I wanted to bridge the gap between science and application of that science. To help those that needed help understanding how efficient their operation could be regardless of size and how new technologies could be utilized from family farms to mega farms.
What influenced your decision to chose Ohio State for your education?
In high school a FFA state president gave a speech to our FFA seniors and she was enrolling into OSU in agricultural communication. Her speech was centered on new technologies being developed and how she wanted to help get that information to the farmer.
Did your education at Ohio State expose you to opportunities in your career path?
My education prepared me for go-to-market business concepts. Exposure to top notch professors and key leaders throughout central Ohio helped guide my career to a sustainable career development path with the largest food company in the world.
How were you involved outside of the classroom while a student?
While attending OSU I was a member of Alpha Gamma Sigma fraternity. I was employed as a driver then supervisor for the Campus Area Bus System (CABS). I was also an active member of Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT).
What classes did you enjoy the most while at Ohio State?
The best class that I ever attended was agricultural communication 596. This was a public speaking course that was tailored to all students in CFAES. It was a developmental course designed to improve public speaking and speaking on a topic to your peers.
What professor, faculty or staff member had an impact on your education/career? How?
I had the privilege of being a student to Mr. Thomas Stewart. Stewart had and still has an impact on my professional development. Stewart showed the students real-life experience tactics and techniques needed outside of the collegiate surroundings. He would take time to speak or listen to any and all students with whatever issues or thoughts they had. He was, and I am sure still is, a great leader of students and great steward for The Ohio State University.
What is your favorite memory related to your time at Ohio State?
My most memorable moment at Ohio State was my first walk for our apartment to The Shoe. My first OSU football game is something I will never forget. The amount of people congregating towards the stadium was an “aww” moment. The pageantry and rich traditions that flow before, during and after the game is like none other.
What was your first job following your education at Ohio State?
After graduating from OSU, I accepted a position with Kraft Foods as a relief sales representative for the frozen foods direct store delivery model.
Where has your career taken you since that first job?
I have been employed with the same division since I graduated. My department was sold to Nestle USA and I continued working as a relief sales representative until I was promoted to sales representative with my own territory in Southern Ohio. In 2015 I was promoted again to my current role as area business coordinator over multiple states.
During your career, have you received any awards or honors? If so, what are those?
With Kraft Foods, I received multiple top honors for highest performing sales representative from 2009 to 2011 at the area, regional and national levels. Those top honors included sales growth year over year, exceeding safety targets and team leadership awards. I have also received awards and special recognition for safety and compliance on a regional level as a coordinator.
As of today, what is your favorite career highlight?
Throughout my career I have been blessed to work for companies that strive to give back to the community. I have participated in many volunteer activities throughout Ohio including coordinating actives with the Mid-Ohio Food Bank, The First Tee, A Kid Again, and The Greater Cleveland Food Bank. We have donated countless hours of volunteer labor to prepare meals for children as well as ice cream to certain events in the surrounding areas. We have built bicycles for children and taught them to ride a bike for the first time as well as donating those bikes to the deserving children within those organizations.
What advice would you give to a current student?
My advice to any current student is simple. Be yourself, do you what you love and are passionate about. Surround yourself with smart and successful individuals and maintain those relationships you have during your collegiate career, you will be surprised how many times you might come in contact with them down the road.
What did ACEL cultivate in you? How?
Some of the most impactful and useful tools I took from ACEL are computer systems. Knowing how to use different software design and formatting programs has been a blessing. But the most cultivating for myself would be personal and professional development. ACEL transformed me into a working professional that my peers and team members respect and count on to perform at my best every day.