Company Leadership

Brett Sciotto

Chief Executive Officer

Brett Sciotto is the founder and CEO of Aimpoint Research, a global, strategic intelligence firm specializing in agri-food that was named to the 2020 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in the U.S. Brett leads a team of former military intelligence officers, agricultural experts, and market research professionals as they work to empower intelligence-driven organizations.

A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and a former Army Intelligence Officer, Brett Sciotto brings a practical, results-oriented approach to the civilian business world. His training in, and emphasis on, mission-critical information-gathering and targeted research methodology make him unique in his approach to problem solving in a corporate environment.

Brett's disciplined, vetted approach to research is coupled with his military precision in detailed analysis and final presentation to his clients. With nearly two decades of research expertise, he has had tremendous success advising corporate leaders, government officials and state and national organizations at all levels.

Scott Caine

President

As President of Aimpoint Research, Scott leads the organization in its mission to empower intelligence-driven organizations and give clients a competitive advantage. He's responsible for successfully achieving organizational goals including superior intelligence and operational excellence. ​

Scott is a tenured leader with more than 25 years of organizational leadership experience. He has served in organizations ranging from the United States Army, to small boutique data warehousing consulting firms and large enterprises with diverse roles including Marketing, Operation, Business Systems and Sales. ​

Through these experiences he has honed and gained a diverse set of skills including strategic and sector operations; marketing, marketing research and competitive intelligence; enterprise planning and organizational development; business modeling and strategy; product development and delivery; and strategic business sales.

Mark Purdy

Chief Operations Officer

In his role as Chief Operations Officer, Colonel (retired)Mark Purdy is responsible for day-to-day operations, research oversight and accountability toward achieving organizational goals. He guides clients to strategically activate on their research results, assess impacts and develop business strategies. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Mark brings 30 years of results-oriented experience leading organizations of more than 2,000 people.

Mark’s vast experiences range from leading combat units over multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan to managing multi-billion-dollar security assistance portfolios that included procurement, managing the supply chain and government regulatory compliance. Mark also served as Director of Wargames at the U.S. Army War College providing actionable solutions to top national security dilemmas.

Mark grew up on a farm in central Ohio where his family raised sheep, corn, soybeans and hay, and continues to operate the family farm today. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, as well as master’s degrees in Military Operational Arts from the Air Force Air University and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

Brice Civiello

Chief Administrative Officer

As Chief Administrative Officer, Brice Civiello works with a world-class team of researchers, administrators, data visualizers, and business development professionals to ensure Aimpoint Research provides unprecedented insight to their clients. He is at the forefront of helping the organization achieve its goals, facilitate strategic partnerships, and adopt innovative new systems and technologies.

Since 2005, Brice has worked with our diverse corporate, government, organizational and public affairs clients around the nation coordinating research and providing strategic insight and tools to ensure their planning, R&D, marketing, and communications efforts are focused, timely, and successful.

Ray Starling

Executive Advisor

In his role as Executive Advisor, Ray Starling serves as an invaluable resource on public policy and legal developments that have the potential to impact the agri-food value chain. He is available for special events, select client engagements, and speaking opportunities. He continues to serve as general counsel of the NC Chamber and president of the NC Chamber Legal Institute as well.

Prior to joining the NC Chamber team, Ray served as chief of staff to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue where he coordinated execution of the secretary’s policy agenda for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Ray focused on regulatory and deregulatory initiatives and acted as a point of contact for stakeholders throughout agriculture and rural communities. He has also served as a principal agriculture advisor to the President of the United States at the White House, chief of staff and chief counsel for U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, and general counsel when Tillis was Speaker of the House in the North Carolina legislature. Early in his career, he was general counsel for the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Licensed to practice law in North Carolina, Ray has private practice experience and has taught agricultural and food law for several years. He has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from North Carolina State University and a law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He grew up on a Century Farm in southeastern North Carolina and credits that experience as having more to do with his career path than any other influence or opportunity. His parents continue to farm as does his eldest brother. Starling was a National FFA Officer and is a former 4-H member. He resides in Raleigh, North Carolina with his family.

Gregg Doud

Vice President of Global Situational Awareness & Chief Economist

Gregg brings an unparalleled global perspective and economic expertise to the team. He works closely with members of the Executive Intelligence Network (EIN) and plays a major role in the development of its thought leadership priorities. Prior to joining Aimpoint Research, Gregg served in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative as Chief Agricultural Negotiator with the rank of U.S. Ambassador. He was one of the primary architects of the U.S.-China "Phase One" trade agreement.

Gregg has previously served as President of the Commodity Markets Council, the leading trade association for commodity futures exchanges and their industry counterparts, where he worked to lead the industry in addressing global market and risk management issues. As a senior staff member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Doud helped craft the 2012 Senate Farm Bill working on international trade, food aid, livestock, and oversight of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Doud served as Chief Economist for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association for eight years and is a former market analyst for the U.S. Wheat Associates.

Raised on a dry-land wheat, grain sorghum, soybean, swine, and cow-calf operation near Mankato in North-Central Kansas, Doud continues to be involved in his family’s 100-year-old farm and is a partner in a commercial cow-calf operation. He received a B.S. in Agriculture with an emphasis in animal science, as well as a M.S. in agricultural economics from Kansas State University. He currently resides with his family on their horse farm in Lothian, Maryland.

Ken Gilliam

Vice President of Predictive Analysis

In his role as Vice President of Predictive Analysis, Ken works to build systems and tools that fully capture the predictive power of complex data sets and leads the organization's capabilities in modeling and simulation. Ken also leads the team in wargame design and implementation.

After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Ken embarked on a 27-year military career in the U.S. Army where he gained extensive experience in analytics, systems design, modeling, and wargaming. Immediately prior to joining Aimpoint Research, Gilliam served as the Director of Strategic Wargaming at the U.S. Army War College and was the founding Associate Editor of the Wargaming Room, a U.S. Army War College online journal and podcast. He holds a Master of Science in Operations Research from Georgia Tech, Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College and is a credentialed Assistant Professor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Army War College.

Ken grew up in a farm community in South Georgia surrounded by watermelons, peanuts, cotton, and cattle.

Sarah Tveidt

Director and Fusion Leader

Sarah Tveidt brings over a decade of experience in agriculture to the Aimpoint Research team. She grew up on a farm near Humboldt, South Dakota, where her family raises soybeans, corn, and beef cattle.​

Prior to joining Aimpoint Research, she held multiple roles during her tenure at the South Dakota Soybean Council, and previously served on staff for South Dakota Governor M. Michael Rounds. Sarah holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from South Dakota State University. ​

In her role as a Director and Fusion Leader, Sarah brings her agricultural experience and business acumen to her clients, providing collaboration and consultation on the trends, disruptions, and innovations impacting the agri-food value chain and their business environments.​

​Sarah appreciates that her career path has afforded her the opportunity to continue to work in the agri-food industry and lead transformative action in partnership with Aimpoint Research clients.

Jennifer Coleman

Director, Communications

As Director of Communications, Jennifer is responsible for the development and implementation of a communications and marketing strategy and overseeing initiatives including brand development, messaging, positioning, go-to-market strategies, and integrated communication plans.

Prior to joining Aimpoint Research, Jennifer served as the Director of Communications for the Ohio Soybean Council and Ohio Soybean Association and managed all communication programs and budgets including media relations, communication research, farmer awareness campaigns, and consumer outreach.

She attended Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky where she received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in organizational communication. Jennifer grew up on a small farm in western Kentucky and now resides in Columbus, Ohio.

Jenna Lansing

Director, Agri-Food WatchDesk

In her role as Director of the Agri-Food WatchDesk, Jenna manages a team of analysts collecting and analyzing intelligence for clients across the value chain. She also leads and executes research efforts for the company's ag industry partners.

Jenna grew up on a cattle feedlot and row crop farm near Dyersville, Iowa. Before joining Aimpoint, Jenna launched a specialty fertilizer division in the wholesale fertilizer space and conducted market research in the animal health industry. Her expertise lies in production agriculture including inputs, retail and distribution, livestock, crops, and processing. Jenna graduated from Iowa State University with an undergraduate degree in agricultural business.

Mike Loftus

Director, Strategic Planning

As Director of Strategic Planning, Mike works to integrate the latest military strategic planning methods with the company’s intelligence capabilities to create a best-in-class service for clients. For many, their experience with organizational strategic planning is an arduous, frustrating process that ends with a “do everything” document that does little to help leaders make decisions. Inspiring action and creating meaningful change is a core element of Aimpoint Research’s mission and thanks to Mike’s vision and leadership, clients now have access to a truly collaborative strategic planning process that will help leaders make decisions for the future with confidence.

Prior to joining Aimpoint Research, Mike received a Bachelor of Science degree in materials science and engineering from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He received a Master of Arts degree in history from American Military University and a Master of Arts degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. He is a retired Colonel and during his 23-year career in the U.S. Army, he spent six years overseas in Korea, Europe, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Cassidy Marn

Fusion Leader & Senior Intelligence Analyst

Cassidy Marn brings years of experience in agricultural commodities and Montana ranch life to her role as Fusion Leader and Senior Intelligence Analyst. As a fifth-generation Montanan, she grew up on a diversified family farm in the Golden Triangle of the state growing​ small grains, pulses, and oilseeds. She currently raises cattle with her family in Belt, Montana.​

Prior to joining Aimpoint Research, Cassidy worked for the Montana Wheat & Barley Committee for twelve years, having most recently served as the Executive Vice President. Cassidy led the trade and marketing programs for nine years, working with international wheat and barley buyers around the globe. ​

​As a Fusion Leader and Senior Intelligence Analyst, Cassidy tracks many of the innovations, disruptions, and opportunities in the agri-food industry and serves as project lead for multiple clients. Her experience and drive to see agri-food organizations succeed help her create action-oriented and collaborative work for her clients.​

Nelson Carter

Fusion Leader & Senior Intelligence Analyst

Nelson Carter brings immense experience within the agriculture industry to his role as a Fusion Leader and Senior Intelligence Analyst at Aimpoint Research. Through growing up on a farm and then operating one ​himself in North Texas, Nelson brings expertise in crop production and direct-to-consumer business.​

Prior to joining Aimpoint Research, Nelson received a degree in journalism from Texas A&M University. He started his career as an agricultural reporter and then spent 15 years in telecommunications working throughout the United States, Europe, China, and Latin America. ​

Nelson then journeyed back to his farm upbringing by starting a direct-to-consumer operation in 2014 that focused on supplying the restaurant industry in the Dallas & Fort Worth markets. His operation consisted of five acres of vegetable production including a one-acre greenhouse, grass-fed lambs, eggs, and meat poultry, with a state-inspected poultry processing plant he owned and operated. ​

In his current role, he focuses on policy, technology, labor and economics. His expertise in the agri-food industry has supported client projects involving finance, insurance, agrichemical, and commodities. ​

​
​

Eric Gibson

Fusion Leader & Senior Intelligence Analyst

Eric Gibson brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Aimpoint Research in his role as a Fusion Leader and Intelligence Analyst. Eric is especially passionate about the agriculture industry, having grown up on a farm in Eastern Missouri where they raised ​cattle, row crops, and hay. He continues to hold strong to his Missouri roots, living there with his family today. ​

Prior to joining Aimpoint Research, Eric graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture. Eric has had the privilege of assuming a diverse array of opportunities during his professional journey ranging from marketing to industry relations and communications to financial services. Notable organizations he has served include Farmers Business Network, the U.S. Soybean Export Council, Brighton Agency, and FCS Financial.​

In his role as a Fusion Leader and Intelligence Analyst, Eric brings a vast knowledge of segments across the agri-food value chain from the farm to the consumer. He challenges himself each day to never leave a question unasked and do his best to find the answer. ​

Kristen Dickey

Fusion Leader

Kristen Dickey brings a wealth of experience in agriculture and financial services to her role as a Fusion Leader as she is a fourth-generation grain farmer from Northwest Ohio.

Prior to joining Aimpoint Research, Kristen graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural economics and a Master of Science degree in agricultural communications. She spent more than a decade of her professional career at Farm Credit Mid-America (FCMA). Her passion for customer experience research led her to help create the CX program and division at FCMA. ​

Throughout her career, Kristen has developed a profound interest in customer and employee experience, along with understanding the importance organizations should place on these initiatives to ensure long-term success. Kristen's recognizes and believes that customer experience is a focus area that will make or break a company in today’s marketplace. ​

In her role as a Fusion Leader, she is excited to help Aimpoint’s clients focus on the future of the agri-food industry and prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead. ​

Payton Woods

Fusion Leader

Payton Woods stepped into his role as Fusion Leader after years of market research experience with Aimpoint Research. He currently lives in Libertyville, Illinois and continues to work with a wide range of ​clients who benefit from his market research expertise and insight into many sectors of the agri-food value chain. ​

Prior to joining Aimpoint Research, Payton received a Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing and a Master’s degree in market research from Michigan State University. ​

He began his career as a Market Research Analyst with Aimpoint Research and has spent the last several years working with clients in financial services and animal health. Much of Payton’s client work has been in sales, specifically on how the client can better interact with their current and potential customers in a desired way. Payton enjoys going above and beyond in ensuring each client's needs are met.​

Danielle Cummins

Fusion Leader & Senior Intelligence Analyst

Danielle Cummins brings immense experience in the agri-food industry to her role as a Fusion Leader and Senior Intelligence Analyst. With roots in New York state, Danielle grew up learning about the dairy industry and specialty crops. ​

Prior to joining Aimpoint Research, Danielle graduated from SUNY Oswego with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science. Her interest in politics led her to work for two Members of Congress in Washington, D.C., and in district offices. She also worked for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the National Association of Conservation Districts. Danielle’s work has focused on government affairs, policy development, member relations, and grassroots efforts. In recent years, Danielle was a Crop Insurance Agent for Farm Credit East. In this role, she developed sales strategy, business consulting, and risk management plans for farming operations throughout western New York.​

Now Danielle utilizes both her personal and career experience in the agri-food industry to help clients on a wide variety of projects. Her expertise in dairy, fruit and crop production serve clients in those areas of business, in addition to her valuable insight on crop insurance, policy, and regulation. ​