Michael Gunderson

Michael Gunderson is passionate about agriculture and improving the management competencies of agribusiness professionals. He is committed to lifelong learning and professional development. He conducts research that aims to improve the efficiency of the food and agribusiness value chain, recognizing that the chain is only strong if all links are. Mike enjoys tackling issues at the intersection of growing a sustainable food supply profitably. He has published in peer-reviewed journals, trade magazines and in the press.

As director, Mike provides strategic direction for all of the center's faculty, staff and programs; develops and teaches open-enrollment and custom programs; and teaches both undergraduate and graduate-level courses.

He has taught over 1,500 undergraduate and graduate students and more than 2,000 agribusiness professionals in executive education seminars. He has been recognized by the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, the North American Teachers and Colleges of Agriculture, the UF College of Agricultural Life Sciences, Purdue University and the Southern Agricultural Economics Association for his outstanding teaching.

Mike earned his doctorate from Purdue in 2006 and holds a master's degree in agricultural economics from Cornell University and a bachelor's degree in agribusiness, farm and financial management from the University of Illinois. He is married to Alee Lynch Gunderson. They enjoy going on hikes with their children, Jarvis Alma and Elodee, and their two dogs, as well as following college sports and traveling internationally.