Leadership

Joined Helena Agri-Enterprises in 1989

Born and raised on the family farm in southwest Arkansas, Eric Cowling serves as President and CEO of Helena Agri-Enterprises.

Eric started his journey with Helena in 1989. He worked his way up through the organization, beginning as a Truck Driver then working as a Salesman, Branch Manager, Sales Manager, Division Manager and Executive Vice President before being named President & CEO of the company in 2021. Because of his wealth of knowledge and experience, Eric is a recognized leader in the business today. He uses the valuable company and industry insights gained throughout his career to set strategic direction for Helena and its subsidiaries nationwide and around the world.

In addition to his career with Helena, Eric is committed to helping those in his community by serving on the board of directors for the Tennessee Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and CropLife America.

Eric earned his B.S. from Southern Arkansas University and received the school’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2023.

Joined Helena Agri-Enterprises in 1992

A native of Otterbein, Indiana, Phil Hollis serves as Executive Vice President of Helena Agri-Enterprises.

Phil began his career in agribusiness as a sales representative for Helena in Indianapolis in 1992. After a short stint there, he rose to Branch Manager in Watervliet, Michigan, before becoming North Central Division Sales Manager. Two years passed, and Phil earned a promotion to Division Manager of Southern California/Arizona. He then went on to become President/CEO of Helena Industries before landing his current role in 2017.

Phil oversees the company’s proprietary products, fleet and equipment services, manufacturing, precision technology development, strategic planning, training and information technology. He earned his B.S. in agriculture economics from Purdue University, where he was a four-year letterwinner with the university’s baseball team.

Joined Helena Agri-Enterprises in 2003

Ward Bloodworth serves as Executive Vice President of Helena Agri-Enterprises. Prior to assuming his current role in 2021, Ward held positions as Salesman, Branch Manager, Area Manager, Fertilizer Manager, Division Manager and Director of Fertilizer with Helena. Today, he manages the company’s seed business, ag chemical sales, fertilizer operations, purchasing and precision technology marketing.

Outside of Helena, Ward serves on the Agricultural Retailers Association board of directors and The Fertilizer Institute board of directors. He is also a member of the Mississippi State University (MSU) Plant and Soil Science Advisory Council and the Delta Council. Ward previously served as President of the Mississippi Certified Crop Adviser board and the Mississippi Agricultural Industry Council. Through these efforts, Ward was recognized as an MSU Distinguished Alumni Fellow in 2022.

Before working at Helena, Ward got his first experience in the industry at home in north Mississippi. His father owned and operated Panola Farmers Service, which sold chemicals, fertilizer, seed and application services to local farmers. He carried this knowledge and experience to MSU to earn a bachelor’s in agronomy and a master’s in weed science

Joined Helena Agri-Enterprises in 1997

As Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Byron Phillips, CPA, CMA, oversees the Helena Agri-Enterprises treasury, financial services, credit, accounting, human resources and sustainability departments.

Since joining the Helena family in 1997, Byron has worked his way through the accounting department. He started as an Asset Accountant while earning his CPA license before transitioning to Accounting and Reporting Manager, Helena Industries Controller, Helena Agri-Enterprises Controller, and other Treasurer positions during his tenure.

Byron has a business administration degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Joined Helena Agri-Enterprises in 1999

David Hawkins joined Helena Agri-Enterprises in 1999 and oversees the company’s legal, government affairs, registration, regulatory/safety health and engineering departments. David is also responsible for corporate compliance activities.

During his three decades of service to Helena, David has held various roles, including Director of the legal department; Assistant Secretary of general counsel; and Vice President of legal, regulatory and government affairs. David has also lent his expertise on several boards, including Agricenter International in Memphis, Tennessee.

David received degrees in economics and political science from Duke University before earning his Juris Doctor from the University of Memphis.

Joined Helena Agri-Enterprises in 1995

Neil Timmerman leads the Helena Agri-Enterprises Northern Business Unit as Vice President. In this role, Neil oversees Colorado, Eastern North Dakota, Eastern South Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Neil joined the company in 1995 and has worked in various positions, including Warehouse Manager, Operations Managers, Sales Branch Manager, Seed Specialist, Sales Manager and Division Manager. With his strong work ethic and advanced skill set, Neil was once named Branch Manager of the Year.

Neil uses his expertise in leadership roles away from Helena to support the ag industry. Previously, he served as both Secretary and Vice President of the Mid America CropLife Association.

Joined Helena Agri-Enterprises in 1991

Joe Webber is one of the many success stories from the Helena Sales Trainee program. Since starting in the program in Garden City, Kansas, in 1991, Joe has ascended to Vice President of the Helena Agri-Enterprises Southern Business Unit. In this role, Joe oversees Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas, West Tennessee, and parts of Kentucky and Missouri.

A Certified Crop Adviser in Texas, Joe moved from the Sales Trainee program to work as a Sales Representative before becoming a Branch Manager. Other positions Joe has held in his time at Helena include the South Texas Division Manager and North Delta Division Manager.

Joe received his bachelor’s degree in agricultural development and leadership from Texas A&M University.

Joined Helena Agri-Enterprises in 1999

Scott Gilliam, Vice President of the Eastern Business Unit, has traveled from east to west and back again to become an expert on all things Helena Agri-Enterprises in his nearly 30 years working with the company.

Scott started his tenure in the company’s internal audit department in 1997 before becoming a Sales Representative in Courtland, Virginia. From there, he worked as Helena Products Manager of the Specialty Division in Columbia, South Carolina, Specialty Division Sales Manager in Fresno, California, and Western Specialty Division Manager in Fresno before moving back to Columbia, South Carolina, for his current role. Today, he oversees Connecticut, Delaware, East Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, South Alabama, South Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia.

Scott holds a B.A. in finance from Georgia Southern University.

Joined Helena Agri-Enterprises in 1993

With his love for agriculture beginning at a young age on his grandparents’ farm in Ennis, Texas, Tim Dlabaj carries a strong resume that pushed him to his current role of Vice President of the Western Business Unit for Helena Agri-Enterprises. In this role, Tim oversees Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Western North Dakota, Western South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming.

Tim is a proud member to complete our Sales Trainee program that jump-started his career with us. From there, he worked as a Sales Representative, Branch Manager, Proprietary Products Manager, Sales Manager, Division Manager and General Manager of the Helena Products Group.

A graduate of Sam Houston State University, Tim earned a B.S. in agribusiness.