Team

Jim Fallon

Vice President

Jim makes sure our clients receive the strategic recommendations, programming and Look East team members needed to solve their communications challenges.

After 10 years at Countrymark Co-op, seven at Fleishmann-Hillard and three at his own independent firm, Jim has managed almost every type of communications program. His specialty includes issues management and crisis preparedness/response. He has guided companies through major product recalls and has handled situations that had the potential to severely damage the company’s reputation.

Although he didn’t grow up on a farm, his entire career has been devoted to farmers and food system companies, and he has a deep appreciation for farmers and the important work they do each day.

Back in the days of his independent communications firm, he met our CEO, Charlie, and they joined together to pursue meaningful food system public relations projects. Jim ditched his “independent” label three years later and joined Look East full time in 2008.

Melissa Daugherty

Business Development Coordinator

Melissa helps lead new business development and works with employee owners to help strengthen the company. She’s known for taking big projects and breaking them down into smaller, more feasible pieces, then managing the timelines so it all gets done. 

Before she joined Look East, Melissa worked in agricultural equipment and technology industries, where she was involved with startup and new business development for emerging companies.

Part of the first generation in her family to not farm, Melissa was instead raised on the business side of agriculture. She grew up around co-ops and grain elevators all across Missouri and Kansas.

Today, she and her husband are avid scuba divers and love to travel. If she’s not diving, you can find her working on remodeling projects around the house or wrangling their four-legged children.

Charlie Arnot

CEO

Charlie started this whole thing back in 2004. A member of NAMA and PRSA, Charlie is recognized as an industry leader on food and agriculture issues and is a thought-provoking writer and speaker. His incredible leadership skills and knack for forming genuine connections mean he’s met practically everyone there is to know in food and agriculture. Chances are, you’re already connected.

Winner of an Associated Press award for Best Radio News Reporting, Charlie began his career in journalism and worked in film and video production prior to working in public relations and corporate communications. Today, he provides innovative strategic insight and helps leading companies and associations find new solutions to persistent challenges regarding issues management, communications and public affairs.

Growing up in rural Nebraska, his family always had horses, cattle, chickens and a couple of pigs every now and then. His first paying job (besides putting up hay) was working in a restaurant, and he loves to cook. Try his pulled pork sometime—it’s the best.

Morgan Young

Account Manager

Morgan works with clients to ensure strategic growth within their industry and addresses emerging issues by coordinating a united and transparent response plan that demonstrates best practices.

She is great at finding gaps and filling them with new ideas. While getting her master’s in marketing, she became a pro at planning and analysis—such a pro, in fact, that she aced every marketing and business plan she put together.

Morgan grew up on a working farm. They grew corn, wheat, soybeans and milo and raised Angus cattle, chickens, hogs, ostriches, goats, horses and guard dogs.

In her free time, she enjoys going, doing and trying new things with her family. Some of her many hobbies include sewing, crafting, gardening, photography and videography. Although, admittedly, most of them tend to be excuses to avoid cleaning the house.

Allyson Perry

Senior Project Manager

Allyson’s work focuses primarily on member relations for The Center for Food Integrity, an association dedicated to building trust in food and agriculture that is managed by Look East. She’s known for her ability to deliver difficult messages in a pleasing tone, part of which can be attributed to her Southern accent and charm.

Her roots run deep in agriculture. She grew up on a farm and worked in the pork industry for 18 years in public affairs, government affairs and human resources. She’s even been a pork producer herself.

Allyson is a top-notch communicator who prides herself on her ability to create win/win situations, find compromises that work and exercise basic common sense in a world that is not always logical. She is a former member of the Missouri Pork Producers and served as the first woman chair of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa.

In the fifth grade she won first place in a skeet-shooting contest (yes, it was a class activity).

Randa Niederhauser

Business Manager

Randa does everything not PR. She manages accounting, HR, IT and facilities, and she’s got a knack for staying calm under pressure.

Previously, Randa worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City in financial planning and budget and cost analysis. The dynamics of agriculture fit very well with Randa’s interest in economics. The concepts of opportunity cost, supply and demand and markets have always interested her.

A recovering soccer mom and hopeless Francophile, she is active in her church’s music program and The Mission Project, an organization that enables capable adults with developmental or cognitive disabilities to live independently and safely in community with minimal support.

Roxi Beck

Vice President

Roxi focuses on consumers nearly 100% of the time. That means digging into research on consumer perspectives, building programs that put research findings into action to connect with consumers, and ultimately working directly with consumers by giving them unique, interactive, hands-on experiences to engage fully and transparently with those in the food industry.

A strategic PR pro and truly passionate person, Roxi joined us back in 2007 because she wanted the opportunity to apply strategy in new ways, help solve challenges for folks in the food industry, and work with a team that laughed in the face of “business as usual.”

Roxi believes that having genuine motives, a straightforward approach and solid communication skills can move mountains (this applies to clients, adversaries, kids, life partners…pretty much anyone).

Terry Fleck

Vice President

Terry leads and directs our association management division. If you need help with a not-for-profit, he’s your guy. He enjoys association work because it’s about people, principle and improving the common good. He enjoys serving others while building trust and making a difference that lasts over time.

Terry brings to Look East a wealth of experience from local, state, national and international levels in public relations, sales, international development/diplomacy, association leadership and policy. He worked international market development positions in Washington, D.C., and Vienna, Austria, before spending nearly 16 years working with the Indiana Pork Industry.

He’s been awarded a Meritorious Service Award from the Indiana Pork Industry, as well as Sagamore of the Wabash—the state of Indiana’s highest award for service to its citizens.

Missy Jones

Accounting Specialist

Missy is responsible for accounts payable, invoicing, banking and any other projects Randa passes her way. Around here, she’s known for putting on her Sherlock hat, reading clues and resolving issues.

With more than 15 years of experience in accounting and administration, Missy considers the Look East team members her clients and is a pro at helping them get their time and expenses in the right spots.

Family and friends are very important to Missy and she enjoys spending time with them. She’s also known for cooking and baking for everyone, so if you invite her somewhere, you can count on her to show up with something delicious in hand!

She’s ready for the next great adventure and dreams of hosting a travel show to find the best beaches around the world. Born and raised in Kansas City, palm trees, sand and the ocean are her preferred scenery.

Alicia Blair

Graphic Designer

Alicia Blair brings a “DIY” approach to graphic design. Just like she re-purposed an old pallet into a spice rack, she tackles the challenge of turning facts and research into appealing designs. Her favorite projects – both at home and at the Look East design desk – involve putting her creativity and energy to work to craft a final product that’s both attractive and useful.

Alicia is almost as passionate about graphic design as she is about good food. She likes to grill out on the patio (which she built herself, naturally) as well as tracking down great food at markets and restaurants tucked away in local neighborhoods.

Born and raised in Kansas City, Alicia says she doesn’t want to live anywhere else on earth because this is home to all her favorites – the Royals, the Chiefs, the world’s best barbecue and her family.

Tiffany Yavicoli

Account Services Manager

A natural problem solver, Tiffany thrives on turning complex projects into manageable tasks, thus removing the roadblocks and allowing our team to deliver our very best. With exceptional people skills and a detailed approach to project management, she knows her success is measured by her clients’ success, which is why—no matter what it takes—she gets the job done with consistency, professionalism and great attention to detail.

Before Look East, Tiffany managed traditional and digital advertising projects for various travel and tourism clients, as well as numerous colleges and universities. She even did experiential marketing and event management for Google.

When she’s not at work, she’s typically playing pool, both recreationally and competitively. She also loves hiking, running, weightlifting, cooking with her kids, and working with STEM programs for local youth.

Susan Wallace

Account Coordinator

Susan is a writer of articles, news releases, blog posts, Best Food Facts and just about anything else with words on it. To her, writing is like working a puzzle, where she takes facts, figures and pieces of information and fits them together to create a picture.

She brings extensive journalism and writing experience to Look East, having served as a reporter and editor at daily newspapers for more than a dozen years. As an agriculture preparedness specialist, she developed a 15-county agriculture emergency response plan. She has also served as communications director for an agriculture non-profit and is a member of the local University Extension Council.

Susan grew up in a big family on a small farm in rural Missouri. Lessons learned on hot summer days in the hay field—teamwork, doing a job right the first time and sticking with a chore until it’s done—have proven valuable. Even though she lives in town, she grows a garden and visits the farm whenever she gets a chance.

Jon McDonald

Senior Manager: Digital Services

Jon oversees our digital team and online communication strategies. After spending his entire career focusing on media and digital strategies within advertising agencies, the idea of developing Look East’s digital vision and process really connected with him, especially with the focus on food and agriculture industries.

Jon grew up all over Missouri but eventually landed in Maryville. Now he lives just minutes from the Look East office with his wife, Tara, his son, Parker, and daughter, Hadleigh.

When he gets time to himself, you can find him either on the golf course, at the gym, watching any of the local sports teams or spending time with friends and family. Or you may not be able to find him at all, as he’s been developing the urge to travel more with the family.

Donna Moenning

Senior Account Manager

Donna is known for her insight on consumer confidence in food and agriculture, and her strategic and creative initiatives in communicating values to build trust.  From project management to video production, Donna has the ability to bring refreshing new ideas to the table that cut through the clutter to achieve the desired communication goals.

She joined our team in 2013 with three decades of leadership experience in public relations and issues/crisis management including seven years with the former National Live Stock and Meat Board, and nine years with the Midwest Dairy Association. Donna’s journey also includes a number of years behind the microphone as a broadcast journalist. She believes all effective communication begins with understanding your audience, which is why she value’s Look East’s consumer trust research.

Donna lives on a crop and livestock farm with her husband and three children in southeast Minnesota.  Her life experiences include (but are far from limited to) competing in a combine demolition derby, working with Julia Child and Baseball Hall of Famer, Nolan Ryan, and speaking to food system stakeholders in more than 35 states and Canada.

Amy te Plate-Church

Senior Account Manager

Not only does Amy enjoy working with people, but she’s a joy to work with. Her positive energy, enthusiasm and knack for bringing others together to collaborate toward a common cause all make her a triple threat as an account manager.

On a day to day basis, she works with agribusinesses and farm groups to create and carry out trust-building communication strategies. Each organization she works with has different and changing needs, which makes for a challenge she really enjoys.

Amy is well-regarded as a speaker, writer, public relations pro, educator and facilitator. Before joining us, she spent 20 years with a dairy and livestock cooperative, where she led public relations, marketing and business development projects.

Amy loves to cook, and when she has time, she likes to pick a new recipe and completely concentrate on the ingredients and process. Her family then votes if it’s a “keeper” or not.

Jennifer Akin

Accounting Assistant

Jennifer helps out with financial and administrative tasks. With nearly 15 years in accounting, she’s known for her speedy data entry and knack for finding discrepancies.

It was actually by luck that Jennifer ended up with Look East. Her accounting firm selected her to work with us temporarily while we searched for a new accounting specialist. We liked her so much we offered her a part-time position.

She knows that every little problem, procedure, and purchase has an impact on the bottom line, so when she finds a problem and fixes it, she enjoys knowing it benefits our team and contributes to the success of our company.

A third degree black belt in Taekwondo, Jennifer coached for four years and won the 2009 Ohio State championship in her division.

Jamie Brond

Account Coordinator

When Jamie Brond worked as an intern with Look East, she jumped in such enthusiasm, we were so impressed that we hired her full time.

This K-State grad is putting her degree in journalism and mass communication to work as an account coordinator for Look East. She works with clients on social media campaigns, content development and influencer engagement. Her minor in hospitality management also comes in handy planning events and tours for clients. You’ll recognize Jamie by her bright smile.

Jamie describes herself as first-generation removed from the farm. Both of her parents were involved in agriculture, but her only exposure to farming was through trips out to Grandpa’s feed mill. She does love to cook and try out new recipes. Her other favorite activities are exploring her new hometown of Kansas City, cheering for the KSU Wildcats, watching Harry Potter and scouring Netflix for best next show.

Jana McGuire

Senior Account Manager

Teased for being the Look East night owl, Jana prides herself on being a good steward of her client’s time and resources, even if it’s 2 a.m. But don’t worry—she won’t call you after midnight.

Jana dons many hats to help clients reach important audiences with the right messages. Whether that’s through writing, training, video production or creative strategy, she brings a broad range of skills to the job each day.

Before Look East, Jana was a radio and television reporter and worked in public relations at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln before pursuing a freelance career as a writer, video producer and on-camera/voice-over talent. ABC and NBC news, “Extra” and “America’s Most Wanted” were among her clients. Billionaire Warren Buffett, rocker Tommy Lee and a woman who left her husband because he snored were some of her most memorable assignments.

Beginning at the age of 9, Jana played alongside Mom, Dad and her sisters in the family band for 21 years – and she still plays today. They were a bit like the Partridge Family – only, instead of a spacious bus they traveled in a white station wagon with wooden side panels.

Jennie Nguyen

Social Media Account Manager

Jennie works with clients to create social media strategies that collaborate with marketing, public relations and advertising campaigns. To do so, she researches top influencers, competitors and trends in the food and agriculture industries. She loves engaging with communities and consumers no matter the medium, and it suits her perfectly in her role as social media account manager.

Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, she moved to Kansas City to pursue her undergraduate degree from Rockhurst University, where she graduated with a BSBA with concentrations in international business and marketing, as well as a minor in Spanish.

She spent the first three years of her career at The Roasterie Air-Roasted Coffee in Kansas City, where she started in customer service and moved into managing their various social media and community engagement efforts.

She is a huge Harry Potter nerd, so if you’re ever going to a Harry Potter-themed trivia night, she’s your muggle (i.e., non-magical person).

Cliff Gauldin

Project Manager

After 20 years as a radio reporter and anchor, Cliff knows the news. And after growing up on a small, diversified farm and working for a decade at one of the leading livestock producers in the country, it’s safe to say he knows today’s and yesterday’s agriculture as well. So when it comes to research, writing and all around project management for food and agriculture, you want Cliff on your team—and we’re glad he’s on ours.

He’ll do whatever it takes to be there for his clients—even if it means using a motel lobby telephone in western Kansas to facilitate a media training exercise.

When he’s not working, he’s likely mowing his five acres of grass or tending his garden—all 1,200 square feet of it. Gardening keeps his evenings and weekends full and rewarding, and he always enjoys doing it, unless moles, crabgrass or tomato blight are involved.

Joy Johnson

Vice President

Joy Johnson is a puzzler. The more complex and challenging the issues, the greater her thrill at bringing the pieces together to achieve the vision.

Throughout her impressive career, she has been involved in virtually every aspect of the food industry from production to understanding consumer preferences. As Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, she brings a strategic vision to Look East to enable clients to grow the trust that is vital for their success. Her specialty is bringing the team together to tackle projects in steps en route to achieving the master vision. More than 20 years of experience in leadership and marketing have given her the experience to take any project to the next level.

Joy is based in our Des Moines office. She and her husband have three children and are active in sporting events and outdoor activities.

Terri Moore

Vice President

Terri does all things communications, but her specialty is offering strategic guidance to clients who need help with a crisis or bolstering their public profile.

She served as the deputy director of communications for policy and planning at the White House and as chief of staff to a U.S. Senator. She also served as communications director for the Governor of Nebraska and for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where she handled issues ranging from bird flu and the farm bill to trade negotiations and the food pyramid.

An avid writer, Terri has drafted major speeches, Congressional testimony, news releases, op-eds and strategic messages. Her broad experience provides unique insight into the functioning of government and how it interacts with the food and ag sector.

She believes building trust and demonstrating transparency are key to future success in the food system. She joined our team because she recognized we are uniquely positioned to provide research-based counsel that assists people in applying these principles to everyday operations.