Ody Maningat, Ph.D., Vice President of Applications Technology & Technical Services
What are the job responsibilities you perform for MGP?
My job responsibilities in Applications Technology and Technical Services include supporting current business, developing new products and processes, and cultivating Research, Development & Innovation (R, D & I) productivity and culture. Specific work topics are: developing technical materials and providing technical support to achieve sales goals; evaluating and implementing external manufacturing needs for value-added ingredients; executing data gathering, prototyping, and applications of chosen R, D & I projects; directing projects from collaboration with industry, academia or government labs; identifying R, D & I talent needs and helping recruit talent for product and process research; and publishing or presenting papers on specialty wheat starches and proteins.
How have your career and/or skills evolved at MGP?
I was hired as R & D Chemist at MGP right after completing graduate school at Kansas State University. My immediate responsibility was to support the production and commercialization of modified wheat starches and engage in practical R & D by developing new specialty wheat starches and proteins. Later, major responsibilities in quality and technical support were added. After 10 years of involvement in these areas, my career evolved to R & D and Technical Marketing. Following 5 years in that role, I became responsible for Applications Technology and Technical Services.
Why did you choose employment at MGP?
During my first year in graduate school, I started developing my dissertation research on chemical modification of waxy cereal starches. However, in my second year, an MGP executive approached my major professor and adviser and suggested that I pursue work on the chemical modification of wheat starch. My adviser acquiesced, and I immediately began researching the topic. As a graduate student, I had the opportunity to visit MGPI on several occasions, work with plant operators many of whom are still with us today, and conduct pilot scale runs of modified wheat starch. After graduating from Kansas State University, I chose employment at MGPI because of their desire to commercialize modified wheat starch products and I like to be part of that endeavor.
What do you like best about working at MGP?
I enjoy technical problem-solving in providing solutions to customer needs. I also like the freedom to be creative in developing the next generation of grain-based products.
What are the most satisfying aspects of your role at MGP?
Being able to provide solutions to customers in a timely and accurate manner that eventually leads to sales is a rewarding experience. Hearing positive comments directly from customers about the performance of our specialty wheat starch and protein products in consumer packaged goods helps boost confidence. It is also satisfying to know that our Fibersym® RW helps address some chronic diseases, thereby contributing to health and wellness of consumers worldwide.
How have MGP’s values been reflected in your work?
Ever since I joined the Company, I have been taught that R & D work must be practical and solve real challenges in the marketplace. It must either lead to cost reduction, product/process quality improvements, or the development and commercialization of new, value-added products. I also gained significant insight on the importance of understanding customer needs and building customer relationships.
Describe the most significant or exciting challenge you have had while working for MGP.
The sudden and significant influx of foreign wheat gluten in the U.S. market in the mid-1990s posed a tremendous challenge to the viability of domestically produced gluten. This situation greatly accelerated our efforts to develop new, value-added proteins, as well as starches, to maintain our strong presence in the marketplace. We accomplished this feat with great effort and commitment on the part of all employees.