About Progenco

Ted Hall is the Founding Chairman who has helped provide visionary leadership and deep experience to Progenco.   He is a distinguished business leader and entrepreneur who is active as a farmer, rancher, restaurateur, and vintner with extensive experience in agriculture, wine, specialty foods, and food retailing. He is a frequent panelist and speaker on sustainable farming practices, especially on the science and economics of organic farming. A winemaker for fifty vintages, Ted has been a winegrower and vintner in the Napa Valley since 1989.  

His diversified family business, Long Meadow Ranch, has farming operations in four northern California counties where they produce  grapes and ultra premium wine, olives and extra virgin olive oil, grass-fed beef and lamb, fruits, vegetables, and eggs.  LMR wines are distributed globally and its products are featured at the acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant, Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, CA.  Long Meadow Ranch was a pioneer in introducing organic viticultural practices and in re-establishing extra virgin olive oil production in California.  

In addition to his farming career, Ted is a former senior partner and worldwide leader of McKinsey & Company, and he has served on the boards of directors of a wide range of public and private companies, educational institutions, and civic organizations, including Peet’s Coffee, Robert Mondavi, Basic American Foods, Williams-Sonoma, Dolby, SunFed Ranch, San Francisco Symphony, and SFJazz. 

Ted holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree from Princeton University and an MBA from Stanford University.

With a legacy deeply rooted in California’s rich ranching tradition, Chris Donati is a fifth-generation cattle rancher who has turned his passion into a series of groundbreaking ventures. As the Founder and CEO of SunFed Ranch, which evolved into the successful Grass Fed Foods, Chris led the company to a remarkable ~$100 million valuation.

His entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond Sun-fed Ranch. As the Owner and CEO of Black Ranches, Chris has expertly expanded operations across four western states—California, Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska—demonstrating his adeptness in growing and managing substantial ranching enterprises.

A seasoned serial entrepreneur, Chris is an active member of the Young Presidents’ Organization, where he continues to influence and inspire future business leaders. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from California Polytechnic State University, a testament to his foundational knowledge and commitment to the ranching industry.

Chris Donati’s leadership and innovative approach have not only honored his family’s heritage but have also set new benchmarks in the world of ranching and business.

Nate Zwald's journey in the cattle genetics industry spans over 20 years of remarkable leadership and innovation. As the President at Progenco, Nate leverages his vast experience to pioneer advancements in genetic selection strategies to make “better animals faster”, and commercial programs that benefit customers profitability.

Prior to Progenco, Nate held pivotal roles at industry giants such as ABS Global, where he served as President and COO, and at Alta Genetics, where he led US operations to significant growth and success. His career is marked by a keen embrace of cutting-edge technologies, including genomics, sexed semen, and IVF, all seamlessly integrated to enhance genetic selection processes.

Nate's deep-rooted connection to agriculture began at Bomaz Farms, his family dairy, where he continues to lead the genetics program. Bomaz Farms, renowned for its elite Holstein genetics program, milks 1600 dairy cows and markets its elite bulls throughout the industry.

Nate's expertise is grounded in advanced degrees in Genetics and Business from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A proud Badger fan, Nate resides in Wisconsin with his wife and three children, where his passion for the industry and dedication to genetic innovation shine through in every endeavor.

Jenkins brings over 30 years of beef and dairy sales and marketing expertise to his Chief Commercial Officer role. His extensive career includes leadership positions across prominent companies in the industry, underscoring his deep knowledge and strategic insight.

At Neogen, Richard served as the Head of Dairy Genomics Sales & Marketing, where he drove advancements in dairy genetics and innovative solutions. Previously, he was the VP of North America Beef & Beef on Dairy at ABS, managing key aspects of beef and dairy product lines across the continent. His experience also includes leading national accounts at Merial, where he played a crucial role in shaping sales strategies.

An experienced cattle rancher himself, Richard's hands-on understanding of the industry complements his corporate achievements. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee, reflecting his strong academic background and dedication to his field.

In his current role, Richard leverages his comprehensive experience to drive growth and excellence in commercial operations, continuing to shape the future of the beef and dairy sectors.

Dr. Tim Xiang is a highly esteemed expert with over 25 years of experience in commercial livestock IVF and cloning research and development, spanning both academic and commercial realms. As Chief Scientific Officer, Tim's extensive background drives innovation and excellence in the field of livestock reproduction.

Tim has held pivotal roles in leading institutions, including serving as the Head of the Cloning Lab at Trans Ova, the largest livestock reproduction company in the USA. In this role, he played a key part in advancing cloning technologies and practices. Prior to this, he was the Head of Embryo Production at ViaGen, a pioneering startup in livestock reproduction that was later acquired by Trans Ova.

Tim earned his Ph.D. from the University of Auckland in New Zealand, where he laid the foundation for his distinguished career. His deep expertise and leadership continue to shape the future of livestock reproductive technologies, positioning him as a leading authority in the industry.

Jeff Miller is a seasoned financial executive with over 30 years of experience across a diverse range of industries, including structured capital and mergers and acquisitions. As Chief Financial Officer, Jeff leverages his extensive background to drive strategic financial management and growth.

Jeff’s career includes notable positions as CFO for companies in clean energy and medical devices, where he was instrumental in steering financial strategies and operations. His entrepreneurial spirit is exemplified by his role as a two-time early-stage startup executive, having served both as CEO and CFO in nascent ventures.

He has also achieved significant milestones, including leading a company through a successful public offering on NASDAQ. Jeff holds a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation and an MBA from Texas Christian University (TCU), reflecting his strong academic foundation and commitment to financial excellence.

In his current role, Jeff continues to apply his broad expertise to optimize financial performance and support the company's strategic objectives.