OUR TEAM
Joshua Day Chief
CEO
Since joining the company in 2013, Joshua has helped lead AdvancedAg through extensive research, product development, and on-farm innovation focused on building biological systems that deliver real-world agronomic and economic results.
Working closely with growers, dealers, researchers, and industry partners across North America, Joshua has championed a practical, field-first approach to biological agriculture, one built on transparency, collaboration, and long-term farm success rather than overpromising performance.
Under his leadership, AdvancedAg continues to push the boundaries of live microbial technology through continuous research, proprietary biological systems, and customized agronomic strategies designed to help growers improve efficiency, reduce input dependence, and build more resilient operations.
Joshua believes the future of biological agriculture depends on doing things differently. While much of the industry focuses on scaling products quickly, his focus remains on developing biological solutions that are properly supported, agronomically sound, and tailored to the unique needs of each farm.
Recognized for his leadership and commitment to innovation, Joshua received the Honouring Excellence – Rising Star Award from Lethbridge College in 2020 and was named Entrepreneur of the Year by CETAC West for his contributions to advancing environmental and agricultural technologies. He also serves on the Lethbridge College Board of Governors, helping support the development of future leaders and innovation in agriculture and applied research.
Ashley Day Chief
COO
Ashley Day Chief is the Chief Operating Officer and co-owner of AdvancedAg, helping lead the company’s growth, operations, and long-term strategic direction.
Since joining the family-founded business, Ashley has played a key role in building the operational foundation behind AdvancedAg’s continued expansion across the agriculture and biological technology sectors. Her leadership focuses on creating strong internal systems, supporting team development, and maintaining a company culture built around collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
To fuel her passion for community, business, culture, and athletics, Ashley is the current chair of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, co-chair for the Champion Committee and a proud member of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee for the Town of Raymond. Due to her dedication to innovation and entrepreneurship, Ashley was chosen as a finalist in the 2022 Alberta Women Entrepreneur (AWE) Awards for the Emerging Entrepreneur category and recently won the 2023 Young Business Professional Award at the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Awards.
Although business ownership occupies much of her time, Ashley prioritizes her role as a mother above all others and enjoys spending quality time with her family. When she is not camping or traveling with her husband and two kids, she enjoys staying active in the volleyball community. Ashley champions positive change and strives to leave a lasting legacy by empowering her children and other entrepreneurs as an influential role model.
Above all, Ashley values family, leadership with purpose, and creating opportunities that positively impact both people and communities.
Kaylee Day Chief
Director of Sales
As Director of Sales at AdvancedAg, Kaylee Day Chief brings entrepreneurial leadership, strategic vision, and a deep commitment to building meaningful relationships within the agriculture industry.
With more than a decade of experience in business ownership and client development, Kaylee has built a reputation for creating strong partnerships and helping customers navigate solutions that deliver long-term value. Her approach combines practical communication, extensive product knowledge, and a strong understanding of grower needs across a wide range of agricultural markets.
At AdvancedAg, Kaylee works closely with dealers, growers, and industry partners to support the company’s mission of delivering biological systems that prioritize real-world performance and measurable farm results.
Outside of work, Kaylee values family above all else and enjoys supporting her three boys in sports, traveling with her family, and staying connected to her community.
Daniel Wevers
Director of Operations
As Director of Operations, Daniel plays a pivotal role in developing and executing AdvancedAg’s business processes, IT applications, and operational systems. He’s driven the successful implementation of SaaS solutions, project management tools, and improvements across marketing, manufacturing, and logistics, ensuring that operations run efficiently and sustainably. Daniel’s leadership has been key in helping AdvancedAg scale and adapt as we continue to innovate in the agriculture space.
Daniel’s career began with a strong foundation in business management from Lethbridge College, where he developed a passion for improving operations in small businesses. Over the next 12 years, Daniel worked across a variety of local businesses before transitioning into IT, where he found the perfect intersection of business strategy and technology. This unique blend of experience allows him to craft tailored solutions that optimize business performance through technology-driven efficiency.
In 2020, Daniel returned to Lethbridge College, earning a Diploma in Computer Information Technology and graduating with honours to further strengthen his technical expertise.
With 15 years of experience at AdvancedAg, Daniel has been a core contributor to the company’s growth and operational success. His approach is grounded in collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to continuous improvement. As AdvancedAg continues to push the boundaries of sustainable agriculture, Daniel ensures that the company’s operations are equipped for both short-term success and long-term growth. Beyond his technical expertise, he’s passionate about fostering a positive team culture and empowering others to contribute to our shared vision. Daniel’s leadership is a key driver in AdvancedAg’s ability to meet the evolving needs of the agriculture industry while staying true to our values of sustainability and excellence.
John Wong
Director of Research & Development
John Wong leads AdvancedAg’s research and development initiatives, bringing more than 30 years of experience in microbiology, environmental remediation, and biotechnology innovation.
As the architect behind AdvancedAg’s microbial technologies, John has spent decades researching bacterial functionality, fermentation systems, and biological applications designed to improve agricultural and environmental performance. His work continues to drive the development of AdvancedAg’s live microbial consortiums and next-generation biological solutions.
John holds degrees in Microbiology Chemistry, Biochemical Engineering, and Business Administration, and is the holder of multiple U.S. and international biotechnology patents.
His passion for practical innovation and scientific advancement continues to push the boundaries of what biological systems can achieve in modern agriculture.
Dr. Phyllis Day Chief
Founder
Dr. Phyllis Day Chief is the founder of AdvancedAg and the visionary behind the company’s foundation in biological innovation and environmental stewardship.
Drawing from her background in education, technical writing, and research development, Dr. Phyl helped establish AdvancedAg with a focus on creating practical biological solutions for agriculture and environmental applications long before biological technologies became mainstream.
Her leadership, entrepreneurial mindset, and commitment to innovation helped shape AdvancedAg into a recognized leader in microbial technology and sustainable agricultural systems.
Today, she continues to support the company through strategic guidance, proposal development, mentorship, and long-term vision — while proudly watching the next generation continue to grow the family-founded business.
Under her leadership, AdvancedAg received national recognition including an Innovation Leader Award from the National Research Council and an Achievement Award from CETAC-West for advancing sustainable soil and water solutions.
Dr. Maurice Molony
Board of Directors
Dr. Maurice Moloney is an internationally recognized leader in agricultural biotechnology with more than 30 years of experience spanning scientific research, commercialization, and global innovation leadership.
Throughout his career, Dr. Moloney has played a pioneering role in the development of modern plant biotechnology, including major advancements in crop genetics, agronomic trait development, and plant-based biological systems. He has held leadership positions with some of the world’s most respected research and biotechnology organizations, including the Global Institute for Food Security, Rothamsted Research, CSIRO, and multiple agricultural biotechnology ventures.
Holding hundreds of biotechnology patents worldwide, Dr. Moloney’s work has helped shape the global agricultural industry and advance the commercialization of next-generation biological technologies.
As a member of AdvancedAg’s Board of Directors, Dr. Moloney provides strategic scientific guidance and supports the company’s continued focus on innovation, research, and practical biological solutions for agriculture.
Stephen Nairne
Board of Directors
Stephen Nairne is a leader in impact investing, Indigenous entrepreneurship, and long-term business development. As Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Raven Indigenous Capital Partners, he has helped build one of North America’s leading Indigenous-led investment firms focused on supporting high-impact Indigenous businesses and innovation.
With decades of experience in venture capital, strategic growth, and mission-driven investment, Stephen brings a strong understanding of how purpose-driven businesses can create meaningful economic and community impact while scaling sustainably.
Throughout his career, Stephen has worked extensively with entrepreneurs, emerging technologies, and organizations focused on building long-term value through innovation, partnership, and responsible growth.
As a member of AdvancedAg’s Board of Directors, Stephen provides strategic insight and guidance as the company continues expanding its leadership position in biological agriculture and Indigenous-led innovation.
Dr. Polina Volkova
Research Partner — TLC Products
Dr. Polina Volkova works closely with AdvancedAg through its research partnership with TLC Products, supporting the continued advancement and validation of next-generation biological technologies.
With extensive expertise in plant biology, microbial interactions, and environmental stress physiology, Dr. Volkova’s research focuses on how biological systems can improve crop resilience, nutrient efficiency, and overall plant performance under real-world agricultural conditions.
Through the collaboration between TLC Products and AdvancedAg, Dr. Volkova helps bridge the gap between scientific research and practical field application — supporting product development, biological validation, and ongoing innovation focused on measurable agronomic performance.
Her science-driven approach and commitment to credible biological research continue to play an important role in helping advance practical, field-ready microbial solutions for modern agriculture.
John Derksen
Lead Biologist
John Derksen brings over 30 years of experience in fisheries biology, aquatic ecology, aquaculture, and environmental research to AdvancedAg.
Throughout his career, John has worked across government research, higher education, and environmental consulting, building deep expertise in aquatic ecosystem health, water quality, fish pathology, and biological systems. He previously served as faculty and researcher at Lethbridge College’s Aquaculture Centre of Excellence, where he taught and led research initiatives focused on aquatic science and ecosystem management.
At AdvancedAg, John supports biological research and the continued development of water and environmental technologies through a science-driven, ecological approach.
His long-standing involvement in early AdvancedAg research projects, combined with his passion for sustainable biological systems, continues to help shape the company’s innovation in agriculture and water health.
Tanner Fletcher
Content Creator
Tanner Fletcher leads content creation and visual storytelling at AdvancedAg, helping communicate the company’s mission through photography, filmmaking, and digital media.
With a strong understanding of branding, consumer psychology, and visual communication, Tanner creates content that connects modern agriculture, biological innovation, and real farm stories in a way that is both engaging and accessible.
His work plays an important role in shaping how AdvancedAg’s technologies, partnerships, and field results are shared across the industry — bringing authenticity, creativity, and strategic thinking to every project.
Through visual storytelling, Tanner helps bridge the gap between complex agricultural science and the people it impacts most.
Nathan Wevers
Sales Manager
Nathan Wevers supports AdvancedAg’s sales operations through customer relationship management, account support, and business development.
With experience across retail sales and business-to-business account management, Nathan brings a practical and relationship-focused approach to supporting growers, dealers, and industry partners. His ability to understand customer needs and communicate solutions effectively helps strengthen long-term partnerships and support continued growth across multiple markets.
Known for his professionalism, adaptability, and commitment to customer service, Nathan plays an important role in maintaining the strong client relationships that define the AdvancedAg approach.
Amy Neufeld
Office Manager
As Office Manager at AdvancedAg, Amy Neufeld plays a key role in supporting the company’s day-to-day operations and organizational efficiency.
Working closely with leadership and team members across the business, Amy helps oversee office coordination, project management, and internal processes that keep operations running smoothly as the company continues to grow.
Known for her strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and proactive mindset, Amy is always focused on improving systems, streamlining workflow, and creating an environment that supports both productivity and collaboration.
Her ability to balance structure, communication, and adaptability makes her an essential part of the AdvancedAg team and its continued success behind the scenes.
Hal Reed
Agronomy Advisor
With over 45 years of agronomy experience and six years of working with AdvancedAg's biologicals, Hal is an invaluable asset to the AdvancedAg team and the farming sector in Southern Alberta.
As an expert in soil management, crop production, and storability solutions, Hal takes pride in providing agronomy advice and building relationships. Whether it’s checking fields, taking soil samples, organizing crop tours, or offering support, Hal is our first point of contact for our growers.
Hal's immense knowledge, positive energy, and exceptional customer service is a valuable part of our team.
Ashton Fode
Sales Associate
As a Sales Associate, Ashton is passionate about advancing sustainable agriculture through biological solutions. Working to bridge the gap between cutting-edge biological technologies and real-world farm applications. I take pride in building long-term relationships with producers, offering practical insights, and delivering value that goes beyond the product itself.
Driven by a belief that the future of agriculture is regenerative and resilient, I’m committed to supporting farmers in making profitable, environmentally responsible decisions that benefit both their operations and the land for generations to come. Helping growers find better ways to improve their crops while looking after the soil, and taking part in the monumental shift toward more sustainable regenerative practices.
Biologicals aren’t just a trend—they’re changing how people farm, I get to be right in the middle of that shift, and on the cutting edge of where agriculture is going. My role is taking the science and making it make sense in real-world conditions, working side by side with growers to find solutions that actually pay, if it doesn’t work in the field, it doesn’t matter.
Should you not be able to locate me at the office, it’s very likely I’m just out in the shop underneath a vehicle trying to fix or improve something for myself or someone I know. Tinkering on motorcycles is also a passion of mine, I was lucky enough to grow up racing with my Dad and that competitive spark and willpower to give it your all has been built into me from a young age and I try to apply it to every facet of my life.
Glenda Edie
Sales Associate
As a Sales Associate at AdvancedAg, Glenda thrives on building strong customer relationships and delivering solutions that drive real value. With years of sales and first hand farm experience, she has developed an understanding for customer needs, providing tailored recommendations that support long-term success. Her approach is rooted in trust, communication, and a genuine commitment to helping farmers achieve their goals. She understands the day-to-day realities of farming and brings that perspective into every conversation, ensuring her recommendations are both realistic and impactful.
Outside of work, she stays busy by chasing around her two little kids. Glenda can be found in the hockey rink or on the soccer field in her spare time. As well, helping out in the tractor whenever is needed on her partner's family farm in southern Alberta. Her hands-on experience and understanding of farm life shape the way she supports farmers everyday.
Dedicated to Relationships
Our mission is to develop a team of innovative, inspired thinkers, creating a sustainable shift in the water and agricultural industries.
We are dedicated to authentic relationships and proud to collaborate with over 30 provincial/federal government entities, academic institutions, third party consulting, research facilities, environmental corporations, agricultural and aquatic industry experts and countless business owners.
