Patricia Woertz of Archer Daniels Midland Named Speaker for Bumpers Lecture Series at UA

Patricia Woertz

Patricia Woertz of Archer Daniels Midland Co. in Chicago is the speaker for the fourth-annual Dale and Betty Bumpers Distinguished Lecture Series, presented by the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas, the school announced Thursday.

Her presentation is titled, “The Emerging Global Middle Class: Threat or Opportunity?” Wortz chairs the board at Archer Daniels Midland, a global food-processing and commodoties-trading organization.

The event, which is co-sponsored this year by the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and the Sam M. Walton College of Business, will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, in the Leland Tollett Auditorium of the John W. Tyson Building. The event is free and open to students, faculty and staff. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We are thrilled to announce Patricia Woertz as our speaker for this year’s Dale and Betty Bumpers Distinguished Lecture Series,” said Bumpers College Dean Mike Vayda in a news release. “Archer Daniels Midland’s primary business segments of oilseed processing, corn processing and agricultural services help meet the growing global need for food and food ingredients. Our college is dedicated to preparing students for careers associated with the businesses of foods while protecting the environment. This is a wonderful opportunity for audience members to hear a highly respected executive talk about her company’s success in addressing several of the same areas we seek to advance.”

Archer Daniels Midland is headquartered in Chicago.

Woertz joined the company as CEO and president in April 2006 and served as CEO until December 2014. She was named board chair of the board in February 2007. She also sits on the boards of Procter & Gamble Co., Royal Dutch Shell PLC and UI LABS.