Nick Lannan on Service, Leadership, and Making an Impact at Nutrien

Nick Lannan, a Digital Product Manager at Nutrien and a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, shares his journey on making a difference in the world through his position in the military and how this experience aligns with his role at Nutrien and our purpose of feeding the future.

What is your history with the Marine Corps?

I served just shy of six years in the United States Marine Corps as a Signals Intelligence Analyst and Operator from 2008 to 2013. During my service, I completed two overseas tours, one in Iraq and another in Afghanistan, engaging in roles ranging from patrols and ground infantry support to battlespace management and intelligence networks. Unfortunately, I had to leave the Marine Corps due to a medical condition, but the experience has greatly shaped who I am today.

What interested you about working at Nutrien?

My journey to Nutrien began while I was studying theater at the University of Illinois and simultaneously working in a Department of Defense research initiative involving drones. A former colleague introduced me to agriculture through Agrible, a startup focused on sustainable farming practices and drone technology. I joined Agrible, driven by the mission of helping farmers grow more sustainably. When Agrible was acquired by Nutrien in 2018, I was motivated by Nutrien's purpose of feeding the future, which resonated with my desire to make a positive impact in the world.

What does your job involve?

I support the Agrible platform which helps farmers adopt more sustainable practices, benefiting the environment, the farmers themselves, and our business. I was profoundly impacted by a conversation with a farmer who pointed out that people need agriculture seven days a week to ensure there is food on the table. This realization stuck with me, and reinforced my belief that agriculture is a place where you can make a significant positive impact on the world. I’m grateful to be in a role that supports farmers, who have the potential to help feed the future.

In 2008, I set off to join the Marine Corps to help change the world and in 2018, I became part of a company that helps continue that mission in a much different light.

What knowledge have you brought from your time with the Marine Corps that you apply in your current role?

The Marine Corps taught me the importance of leadership and the principles of honor, courage, and commitment – principles reflected on a card I keep close to me every day. I learned leadership traits such as justice, judgment, decisiveness, initiative, dependability, tact, integrity, bearing, unselfishness, knowledge, loyalty, and enthusiasm. These principles have been foundational in my role at Nutrien, helping me lead and empower my team. Leadership involves making everyone their best selves, supporting each other and forming this community where we prop each other up when someone has a hard day, a value deeply ingrained in Marine Corps training that I bring to work each day.

It's these principles and traits coupled with my experience of community that brings me to the table and makes me want to contribute to a greater purpose beyond what any one of us can do individually. I believe in that value system, which helps guide our team and align around that vision.

What does Veterans Day mean to you?

For me, Veterans Day is a time to remember and honor all those who have served in the military. It is a day to recognize the sacrifices made by Veterans, who committed their time, energy, and lives to a cause greater than themselves. I view it as a day to reflect on the liberties enjoyed today, which are built on the foundation laid by Veterans through their service and dedication. Veterans Day is about acknowledging the efforts and contributions of Veterans, emphasizing a collective appreciation for their commitment to protecting freedoms and ensuring a better future.

Nutrien thanks Nick, along with all Veterans and active military members, both employed at Nutrien and outside our organization, for their service and contributions to society this Remembrance Day and Veterans Day.