A Flexible Work Environment

Lou Ireland
Senior Marketing Communications Manager

When Lou Ireland started at Pioneer in 1981 as a production artist, she had an associate's degree and two preschool-age children. In the years since, she has earned a B.A. in mass communications and an M.A. in integrated corporate communications, while continuing to expand her responsibilities in the North American Seed division of Pioneer.

Today, she manages a staff of 12 and oversees all sales and marketing communications to Pioneer customers throughout North America, from national ad campaigns to field-level communications. On the home front, she delights in being a grandmother.

"The people at Pioneer were so supportive during the years I was in school and working full-time - it takes a lot of flexibility and patience to make that happen," she says. "As I've gained skills, I find new opportunities to use my skills, to share what I know, and to continue learning more. It's been very satisfying to work in such an innovative, integrated organization."

"Since we have one selling cycle per year, we only get one chance to do it right . . . and we've been successful in understanding our customers and how we can deliver solutions. I am so proud to be a part of that. Even if an extraordinary opportunity outside Pioneer came along, I would find it difficult to leave, because this is home."