Gary Leeper, General Manager, Retires

Following a career of more than 42 years, please join us in congratulating Gary Leeper, Dairyland Seed General Manager, on his recent retirement.

Gary grew up as a farm kid in Southeastern Iowa and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa. His association with heritage Corteva companies began with Lynks Seed in Iowa, then as the Sales Leader for Mycogen Seeds. Gary joined Dairyland Seed in 2003 as our Sales Leader and was later named General Manager in 2016.

“Gary has been a strong leader throughout his entire career in agriculture, but particularly in his past 19 years with Dairyland Seed. He is straightforward, honest, and has the ability to keep moving business forward through quick and accurate decisions. Gary’s leadership style is to give guidance, but allow freedom for others to step up, make decisions, and grow in their careers,” said Ryan Mueller, Product Portfolio and Agronomy Leader.

Gary is a true professional and his vast knowledge of the seed industry has served Dairyland well. Gary’s decisive leadership style, unwavering insistence on quality, and strong regard for Dairyland’s core values have been critical to our overall success.

“I would like to thank all the Dealers and Direct Buyers who have continued to put their trust in Dairyland Seed to be their seed partner over the years, you are a very special group whom I will always have fond memories of,” says Gary.

Throughout his career, Gary’s fervent approach to leadership has shown brightest in times of greatest change. The tragic loss of Dairyland leader Tom Strachota in 2016 was a shock to employees and customers alike. Gary stepped in as the newly-appointed General Manager and guided Dairyland through this most difficult time. He continued to lead during challenging changes such as brand consolidations and corporate integrations. His ability to quickly sift through the distractions (“nonsense”) and focus his team on the most critical elements brought needed clarity. Gary has a genuine regard for, and loyalty to, employees who have embraced the Dairyland Seed culture.

“We have been through lots of change over the years and you continued to be very supportive of our brand which I and the rest of the Dairyland employees are very grateful,” said Gary. “We have tried to live the “5 Rules” on a daily basis when working with you, but especially Rule #1 ‘Do the right thing’. The brand will continue to thrive in the future with your continued support, and I am confident the 5 Rules will continue to provide guiding principles in the daily operations.”
In June of 2022, Gary received the Tom Strachota Leadership Award. This award, which honors Tom’s life and legacy, seeks to recognize and encourage individuals who embody the same qualities Tom lived by–a dedication to advancing agriculture, selfless contribution to community, and an approach to business that prioritizes respect and integrity.

Gary and Janet Leeper

Upon retirement, Gary and his wife Janet will have more time to chase grandchildren, spend time with their three grown children, travel, and train a new four-legged family member. As an ardent Indianapolis Colts and Iowa Hawkeyes fan, we’re sure supporting them will be high on the list.

Once again, please join us in thanking Gary for his many contributions to Dairyland Seed and Corteva and wishing him well in the years ahead.