News

WORTHINGTON, Ohio – The Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) recently welcomed Barry McGraw as the new Director of Product Development & Commercialization. Tom Fontana, former OSC Director of New Use Development will take on a new role as Director of Research & Education.

As Director of Product Development & Commercialization, McGraw will lead OSC’s new use program. This includes exploring opportunities for new soy technologies and the commercialization of new products into the marketplace.

McGraw joins OSC after 15 years with Battelle where he worked in program management, engineering and marketing. He played a key role on Battelle’s bio-based materials team, working to develop and commercialize soy-based technologies. Four of those technologies have received R&D 100 awards.

McGraw also worked on Battelle’s national security team in technology areas such as critical infrastructure, environmental challenges, information systems and defense technology. He holds an undergraduate degree in plastics engineering from Shawnee State University in Portsmouth.

“We are very proud to welcome Barry to the staff,” said John Motter, OSC chairman and Hancock County soybean farmer. “Barry brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team and we look forward to seeing him take our program to the next level.”

Beginning in 2005, Fontana served as Director of New Use Development and was responsible for building the portfolio of new use research projects that have had tremendous success over the years. In his new role as Director of Research & Education, Fontana will focus his efforts on managing and growing OSC’s production and environmental research projects, as well as education programs.

Tom will continue his role as Director of Programs and Outreach for the Ohio Soybean Council Foundation as well.

“We have an excellent team in place,” said Kirk Merritt, OSC executive director. “In these roles, Barry and Tom will significantly strengthen our research and development programs and position OSC for future success.”

About the Ohio Soybean Council

Headquartered in Worthington, the Ohio Soybean Council is governed by a volunteer farmer board, which directs the Soybean Promotion and Research Program. The program’s primary goal is to improve soybean profitability by targeting research and development projects through the investment of farmer-contributed funds.

Media Contact

Jennifer Coleman
Ohio Soybean Council
614.476.3100
jcoleman@soyohio.org