A Season of Change
Jan 12, 2026
Sara Clausen
Director of Communications
AS FIELDS GET TUCKED AWAY UNDER A BLANKET OF SNOW, the soil remains very active. We know it will be changing again soon. Just like the Iowa seasons, change is inevitable.
Key Cooperative is always proud to showcase changes to our internal team when new managers are developed. This month, we are excited to announce our CENTROL Precision Ag team has a new manager: Chris Gathman.
For decades, CENTROL Precision Ag has been a brand of the Key Agronomy division. This team has become an invaluable extension of the grower as technologies shift, new innovations are introduced and the ag industry embraces change.
Chris joined our Sully team in 2007 as an Applicator. In 2012, the Precision Ag Manager at the time asked him to help with liquid systems. Over the course of a couple years, he learned to complete planter maintenance and maintain meters. Chris was by then a multi-season employee who would work on precision projects over the winter, then hop back into his Applicator role in-season. This year brings the excitement of change for him as he takes over this new managerial role.
“Years ago, Key saw a gap in the market,” said Chris. “Farmers were offered new technology but were never trained on how to use it effectively and efficiently.”
Chris will lead a CENTROL Precision Ag team that focuses on finding ways to upgrade growers’ equipment without them having to buy an entirely new piece of equipment. As the cost of doing business continues to rise, the Service Technicians of our CENTROL team offer increased knowledge and education, so growers can get their full investment from precision technology.
The speed of technology is also an inevitable change. Growers now expect their technology to help reduce their input cost because of better accuracy. They expect improvements in seed depth, weed control and overall time spent in the field.
“CENTROL’s expertise and service on planters and sprayers helps our customers achieve this first step in maximizing yield,” said Sales & Marketing Manager Kelly Els.
At the same time, each operation requires an evaluation of what equipment upgrades make sense. This evaluation requires the CENTROL Precision Ag team to work alongside Key Agronomists to get a sound understanding of each grower’s operation.
“We never want to overextend our growers,” said Chris. “Our job is to make recommendations and service customers through the seasons to ensure their equipment is always working for them.”
Chris’s years of experience serving growers is accompanied by a solid team of Service Technicians, which he hopes to grow in the future. Technicians Brett Stravers and Griffin Trego both joined Key first by way of an internship, then were offered full-time roles with the Precision Ag team. Today, the team will upgrade 20–30 planters each year and consult on another 50+ planters alongside their growers.
Join our text list! Get news and updates from CENTROL Precision Ag. Text the keyword CENTROL to 844-458-7824.
Director of Communications
CENTROL Precision Ag team names new leader
AS FIELDS GET TUCKED AWAY UNDER A BLANKET OF SNOW, the soil remains very active. We know it will be changing again soon. Just like the Iowa seasons, change is inevitable.
Key Cooperative is always proud to showcase changes to our internal team when new managers are developed. This month, we are excited to announce our CENTROL Precision Ag team has a new manager: Chris Gathman.
For decades, CENTROL Precision Ag has been a brand of the Key Agronomy division. This team has become an invaluable extension of the grower as technologies shift, new innovations are introduced and the ag industry embraces change.
Chris joined our Sully team in 2007 as an Applicator. In 2012, the Precision Ag Manager at the time asked him to help with liquid systems. Over the course of a couple years, he learned to complete planter maintenance and maintain meters. Chris was by then a multi-season employee who would work on precision projects over the winter, then hop back into his Applicator role in-season. This year brings the excitement of change for him as he takes over this new managerial role.
“Years ago, Key saw a gap in the market,” said Chris. “Farmers were offered new technology but were never trained on how to use it effectively and efficiently.”
Chris will lead a CENTROL Precision Ag team that focuses on finding ways to upgrade growers’ equipment without them having to buy an entirely new piece of equipment. As the cost of doing business continues to rise, the Service Technicians of our CENTROL team offer increased knowledge and education, so growers can get their full investment from precision technology.
The speed of technology is also an inevitable change. Growers now expect their technology to help reduce their input cost because of better accuracy. They expect improvements in seed depth, weed control and overall time spent in the field.
“CENTROL’s expertise and service on planters and sprayers helps our customers achieve this first step in maximizing yield,” said Sales & Marketing Manager Kelly Els.
At the same time, each operation requires an evaluation of what equipment upgrades make sense. This evaluation requires the CENTROL Precision Ag team to work alongside Key Agronomists to get a sound understanding of each grower’s operation.
“We never want to overextend our growers,” said Chris. “Our job is to make recommendations and service customers through the seasons to ensure their equipment is always working for them.”
Chris’s years of experience serving growers is accompanied by a solid team of Service Technicians, which he hopes to grow in the future. Technicians Brett Stravers and Griffin Trego both joined Key first by way of an internship, then were offered full-time roles with the Precision Ag team. Today, the team will upgrade 20–30 planters each year and consult on another 50+ planters alongside their growers.
Join our text list! Get news and updates from CENTROL Precision Ag. Text the keyword CENTROL to 844-458-7824.