President, Sam Cross came to Managed Growth in 2015, following working in Kansas feedlots and completing his degrees in Animal Science and Ag Economics at Virginia Tech. In January of 2024, Sam became President of Managed Growth, succeeding Todd after 25 years. Involved in all sectors of beef cattle production, Sam also runs his own cow/calf operation in Virginia and feeds cattle across Nebraska and Kansas.
Founder, Todd Porth has over 40 years of experience in the cattle industry. Raised in DeWitt, Iowa on his family’s farm and cattle feeding operation, Todd’s passion for the industry began. After facing severe market volatility in the 1980’s, Todd developed a hedging platform to protect himself from market uncertainty. In 1999, Todd offered his hedging platform as a service for other cattle feeders, and with that, Managed Growth, Inc. was founded. As a cattle feeder himself, Todd has demonstrated how consistency and discipline in a risk management program is the key to steady growth.
Leo Outland first gained exposure to the commodity markets through a student-run commodity investment group at Virginia Tech. After interning with Managed Growth, and completing his degree in Business Information Technology, Leo started full time in 2019. Leo brings expertise in charting and trend analysis of the commodity and outside markets. In his free time, Leo enjoys hunting and fishing.
Nick Fowler, a graduate of Kansas State, gained industry experience working in both the packing industry and feedlot management in Kansas. Nick now manages his family’s feedlot, farming and cow/calf operation in Imperial, Nebraska, as well as participating in feeding cattle throughout the Mid-West. Since 2007, Nick has applied Managed Growth’s hedging program in his own operation.
Mike Drinnin, a lifelong cattleman and former President of the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association, is the owner of Drinnin Feedlots and Drinnin West located in Columbus and Palmer, Nebraska. Mike manages both feedlots and their farming operation with the help of his sons, Sam and Jarad. Mike has utilized risk management in their operations since 1994 and applied Managed Growth’s hedging program since 2013.