🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 117 (from laksa114)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa117.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical, ml_categories_json AS ml_categories_json, ml_types_json AS ml_types_json, ml_intent_types_json AS ml_intent_types_json, meta_language AS meta_language, attrs_author AS attrs_author, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_publish_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_original_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_original_publish_time, ifNull(attrs_is_republished, 0) AS attrs_is_republished, ifNull(attrs_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_nr_words, ifNull(attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, ifNull(body_ext_links_number, 0) AS body_ext_links_number, ifNull(body_int_links_number, 0) AS body_int_links_number, ifNull(meta_nofollow, 0) AS meta_nofollow, ifNull(meta_noarchive, 0) AS meta_noarchive, ifNull(props_was_rendered, 0) AS props_was_rendered, ifNull(src_redirect, \'\') AS src_redirect, ifNull(download_time_msec, 0) AS download_time_msec, ifNull(download_ttfb_msec, 0) AS download_ttfb_msec, ifNull(download_size, 0) AS download_size FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.usf.edu/business/news/2025/02-07-brandt-emba.aspx\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.usf.edu/business/news/2025/02-07-brandt-emba.aspx\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/2025\/02-07-brandt-emba.aspx","crawl_time":1775763299,"first_indexed_time":1738997345,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"edu,usf!www,\/business\/news\/2025\/02-07-brandt-emba.aspx s443","src_root_hash":"9832296263335566717","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Brandt CEO talks racing, records, and fertilizer at EMBA Conversation with a CEO event","meta_descriptions":["Rick Brandt was the featured speaker at Friday’s EMBA Conversation with a CEO event at the USF Muma College of Business where about 50 executive MBA and sport and entertainment management students attended."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"News\nPhoto credit: Alexis Yahre, USF Muma College of Business \nElizabeth L. Brown\nFebruary 7, 2025\nBusiness News\nTAMPA — Rick Brandt, CEO and president of the agriculture services company BRANDT,\n                     didn’t hold back when asked about the biggest hurdles he faced taking over the family’s\n                     agricultural fertilizer business at age 29. \n \n“The biggest challenge was the first generation,” he said. “A lot of the things I\n                     wanted to do, they held me back. We had an older board of directors and they had a\n                     way of doing things.” \n \nIn 1995, the USF alumnus took over the family business, which had been started in\n                     1953 by his parents, Glen and Evelyn Brandt, in Springfield, Illinois. \n \n“My dad was very hard on me. People said he was always so proud of me, but he never\n                     told me that,” Brandt said. \n \nDespite the obstacles, Brandt said the focus on family is still at the heart of the\n                     business, originally named Brandt’s Fertilizer Service. \n \n“We treat employees like family,” he said. “Our culture is built around fun.” \nBrandt was the featured speaker at Friday’s EMBA Conversation with a CEO event at\n                     the USF Muma College of Business where about 50 executive MBA and sport and entertainment\n                     management students attended. \n \nDuring the hour-long conversation led by\nDavid Blackwell\n, Lynn Pippenger Dean at the Muma College of Business, Brandt shared some business\n                     advice and lessons learned to the young executives in the room. \n \nAs CEO, Brandt has overseen the company’s phenomenal growth and expansion, including\n                     the acquisition and integration of 16 companies during his tenure. The agricultural\n                     company, known as Brandt, provides products and services to help farmers grow healthier\n                     crops and employs nearly 500 associates. \n \nHis advice on hiring people: “I knew I wasn’t the smartest guy in the room, but I\n                     turned that into an asset. I could attract the smartest guy in the room and get them\n                     to work for me.” \n \nOn managing the market fluctuations of the agriculture business: It’s important to\n                     have diverse holdings. “In agriculture, you’re going to have failure somewhere in\n                     the world every year.” \n \nOn how the company got into NASCAR racing: In 2010, Brandt received a solicitation\n                     email about a racing sponsorship opportunity. The mail sat in his inbox for three\n                     months before he decided to move forward. The company sponsors JR Motorsports and\n                     driver Justin Allgaier in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series.\n “I knew nothing about NASCAR. The demographics looked good to me. We didn’t have\n                     a marketing person. Within two weeks we had a contract.” \n \nOn why they partner with the Tampa Bay Lightning: “It’s awareness for our brand. People\n                     see Brandt is part of Tampa and that we are part of the community,” he said.  \n \nAs a partner, they’re able to host a skate night at Amalie Arena for Brandt employees\n                     and their families to promote the business’ family culture.   \n \nOn why he started the record label, GB Records, to support country artist Kelsey Hickman:\n                      “She just needed that break,” Brandt said. “It’s ‘how can I help the hometown kid?” \n \nUSF’s Executive MBA program is among the top 10\n“Best Executive MBA Programs”\nin the nation by\nFortune\nmagazine. \nReturn to article listing","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to Main Content](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/2025\/02-07-brandt-emba.aspx#content)\n\n[University of South Florida - 70 Est. 1956](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/)\n\n[University of South Florida - 70 Est. 1956](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/)\n\nSearch\n\n## [Muma College of Business](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/index.aspx)\n[Tampa \\| St. Petersburg \\| Sarasota-Manatee](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/about\/index.aspx#campuses)\n\n- [Undergraduate](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/undergraduate\/index.aspx)\n- [Graduate](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/graduate\/index.aspx)\n- [Schools](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/schools\/index.aspx)\n- [Centers](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/centers\/index.aspx)\n- [Executive Ed](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/executive-leadership-education\/index.aspx)\n- [About Us](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/about\/index.aspx)\n\n- Quick Links\n  - [Visit USF](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/about-usf\/visit-usf.aspx)\n  - [Activate USF NetID](https:\/\/profile.usf.edu\/)\n  - [Parking Permits](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/parking\/permits\/permit-types.aspx)\n  - [Spring Academic Calendar](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/registrar\/calendars\/index.aspx#spring2026)\n  - [BullTracker®](https:\/\/www.usfbullrunner.com\/)\n  - [USF Athletics Student Tickets](https:\/\/am.ticketmaster.com\/univsouthflorida\/Student-Tickets)\n  - [Sarasota-Manatee Campus](https:\/\/www.sarasotamanatee.usf.edu\/)\n  - [St. Petersburg Campus](https:\/\/www.stpetersburg.usf.edu\/)\n  - [USF Health](https:\/\/health.usf.edu\/)\n- [Give](https:\/\/giving.usf.edu\/where\/usf-tampa\/business)\n- [Search](https:\/\/cloud.usf.edu\/search\/)\n- [MyUSF](https:\/\/my.usf.edu\/)\n- [Apply](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/application)\n\n- Quick Links\n  - [Visit USF](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/about-usf\/visit-usf.aspx)\n  - [Activate USF NetID](https:\/\/profile.usf.edu\/)\n  - [Parking Permits](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/parking\/permits\/permit-types.aspx)\n  - [Spring Academic Calendar](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/registrar\/calendars\/index.aspx#spring2026)\n  - [BullTracker®](https:\/\/www.usfbullrunner.com\/)\n  - [USF Athletics Student Tickets](https:\/\/am.ticketmaster.com\/univsouthflorida\/Student-Tickets)\n  - [Sarasota-Manatee Campus](https:\/\/www.sarasotamanatee.usf.edu\/)\n  - [St. Petersburg Campus](https:\/\/www.stpetersburg.usf.edu\/)\n  - [USF Health](https:\/\/health.usf.edu\/)\n- [Give](https:\/\/giving.usf.edu\/where\/usf-tampa\/business)\n- Search\n- [MyUSF](https:\/\/my.usf.edu\/)\n- [Apply](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/application)\n\n## [Muma College of Business](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/index.aspx)\n[Tampa \\| St. Petersburg \\| Sarasota-Manatee](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/about\/index.aspx#campuses)\n\n- [Undergraduate](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/undergraduate\/index.aspx)\n- [Graduate](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/graduate\/index.aspx)\n- [Schools](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/schools\/index.aspx)\n- [Centers](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/centers\/index.aspx)\n- [Executive Ed](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/executive-leadership-education\/index.aspx)\n- [About Us](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/about\/index.aspx)\n\n## News\n## Breadcrumb Navigation\n- [Muma College of Business](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business)\n- [News](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news)\n- [2025 Articles](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/2025)\n- Brandt CEO talks racing, records, and fertilizer at EMBA Conversation with a CEO event\n\n![rick brandt talk with NASCAR car](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/images\/2025\/02-07-brandt-hero.png)\n\n*Photo credit: Alexis Yahre, USF Muma College of Business*\n\n# Brandt CEO talks racing, records, and fertilizer at EMBA Conversation with a CEO event\n- Elizabeth L. Brown\n- February 7, 2025\n- [Business News](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/listing.aspx?category=Business%20News)\n\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/#facebook)\n\n[X](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/#x)\n\n[Email](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/#email)\n\n[Share](https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usf.edu%2Fbusiness%2Fnews%2F2025%2F02-07-brandt-emba.aspx&title=Brandt%20CEO%20talks%20racing%2C%20records%2C%20and%20fertilizer%20at%20EMBA%20Conversation%20with%20a%20CEO%20event)\n\nTAMPA — Rick Brandt, CEO and president of the agriculture services company BRANDT, didn’t hold back when asked about the biggest hurdles he faced taking over the family’s agricultural fertilizer business at age 29.   \n   \n“The biggest challenge was the first generation,” he said. “A lot of the things I wanted to do, they held me back. We had an older board of directors and they had a way of doing things.”   \n   \nIn 1995, the USF alumnus took over the family business, which had been started in 1953 by his parents, Glen and Evelyn Brandt, in Springfield, Illinois.   \n   \n“My dad was very hard on me. People said he was always so proud of me, but he never told me that,” Brandt said.   \n   \nDespite the obstacles, Brandt said the focus on family is still at the heart of the business, originally named Brandt’s Fertilizer Service.   \n   \n“We treat employees like family,” he said. “Our culture is built around fun.”\n\n![rick brandt and david blackwell](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/images\/2025\/02-07-brandt-snippet.jpg)\n\nBrandt was the featured speaker at Friday’s EMBA Conversation with a CEO event at the USF Muma College of Business where about 50 executive MBA and sport and entertainment management students attended.   \n   \nDuring the hour-long conversation led by [David Blackwell](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/about\/bios\/blackwell-david.aspx), Lynn Pippenger Dean at the Muma College of Business, Brandt shared some business advice and lessons learned to the young executives in the room.   \n   \nAs CEO, Brandt has overseen the company’s phenomenal growth and expansion, including the acquisition and integration of 16 companies during his tenure. The agricultural company, known as Brandt, provides products and services to help farmers grow healthier crops and employs nearly 500 associates.   \n   \nHis advice on hiring people: “I knew I wasn’t the smartest guy in the room, but I turned that into an asset. I could attract the smartest guy in the room and get them to work for me.”   \n   \nOn managing the market fluctuations of the agriculture business: It’s important to have diverse holdings. “In agriculture, you’re going to have failure somewhere in the world every year.”   \n   \nOn how the company got into NASCAR racing: In 2010, Brandt received a solicitation email about a racing sponsorship opportunity. The mail sat in his inbox for three months before he decided to move forward. The company sponsors JR Motorsports and driver Justin Allgaier in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series.\n\n![nascar car rick brandt](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/images\/2025\/02-07-brandt-snippet-car.jpg)\n\n“I knew nothing about NASCAR. The demographics looked good to me. We didn’t have a marketing person. Within two weeks we had a contract.”   \n   \nOn why they partner with the Tampa Bay Lightning: “It’s awareness for our brand. People see Brandt is part of Tampa and that we are part of the community,” he said.   \n   \nAs a partner, they’re able to host a skate night at Amalie Arena for Brandt employees and their families to promote the business’ family culture.   \n   \nOn why he started the record label, GB Records, to support country artist Kelsey Hickman: “She just needed that break,” Brandt said. “It’s ‘how can I help the hometown kid?”   \n   \nUSF’s Executive MBA program is among the top 10 [“Best Executive MBA Programs”](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/2024\/07-17-emba-fortune-ranking.aspx) in the nation by *Fortune* magazine.\n\n[Return to article listing](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/listing.aspx)\n\n## Category\n[Business News](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/listing.aspx?category=Business%20News)\n\n## Tags\n[Vinik Sport & Entertainment Management Program](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/listing.aspx?tag=Vinik%20Sport%20%26%20Entertainment%20Management%20Program)\n\n## Explore More Categories\n- [Business News](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/listing.aspx?category=Business%20News&year=all)\n- [Entrepreneurship](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/listing.aspx?category=Entrepreneurship&year=all)\n- [Events](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/listing.aspx?category=Events&year=all)\n- [Honors and Awards](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/listing.aspx?category=Honors%20and%20Awards&year=all)\n- [Research and Innovation](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/listing.aspx?category=Research%20and%20Innovation&year=all)\n- [Spotlights](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/listing.aspx?category=Spotlights&year=all)\n\n## About Business News\nWelcome to USF Muma College of Business news. We are dedicated to sharing compelling stories about our innovative research, outstanding faculty, staff, and students, and significant accomplishments from all three campuses. Here we are one college, seven schools, and all business.\n\n[University of South Florida](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/)\n\nLocated in Tampa, Sarasota-Manatee, and St. Petersburg.\n\n4202 E. Fowler Avenue, BSN 3403,   \nTampa, FL 33620, USA  \n813-974-4281\n\nConnect with us:\n\n- [Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/USFMuma)\n- [YouTube](http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/USFCollegeofBusiness)\n- [LinkedIn](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/edu\/school?id=189121&trk=edu-cp-title)\n- [Flickr](https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/usfcoba\/sets\/)\n- [Instagram](https:\/\/instagram.com\/usfmuma\/)\n\n- [About USF](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/about-usf\/index.aspx)\n- [Academics](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/academics\/index.aspx)\n- [Admissions](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/admissions\/index.aspx)\n- [Locations](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/locations\/index.aspx)\n- [Campus Life](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/campus-life\/index.aspx)\n- [Research](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/research\/index.aspx)\n- [Administrative Units](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/about-usf\/administrative-units.aspx)\n- [Regulations & Policies](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/regulations-policies\/index.aspx)\n- [Human Resources](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/hr\/index.aspx)\n- [Work at USF](https:\/\/jobs.usf.edu\/)\n- [Emergency & Safety](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/public-safety\/emergency-management\/index.aspx)\n- [Title IX](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/title-ix\/index.aspx)\n- [USF Health](http:\/\/health.usf.edu\/)\n- [USF Athletics](https:\/\/gousfbulls.com\/)\n- [USF Alumni](https:\/\/www.usfalumni.org\/)\n- [Support USF](https:\/\/giving.usf.edu\/)\n- [USF Libraries](https:\/\/www.lib.usf.edu\/)\n- [USF World](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/world\/index.aspx)\n\nCopyright [©](https:\/\/a.cms.omniupdate.com\/11\/?skin=usf&account=USFMainPROD&site=usf_edu&action=de&path=\/business\/news\/2025\/02-07-brandt-emba.pcf) 2026, University of South Florida. All rights reserved.\n\nThis website is maintained by [Muma College of Business](mailto:muma-webmaster@usf.edu).\n\n- [About This Site](http:\/\/www.usf.edu\/about-usf\/about-this-site.aspx)\n- [Contact USF](http:\/\/www.usf.edu\/about-usf\/contact-usf.aspx)\n- [Visit USF](http:\/\/www.usf.edu\/about-usf\/visit-usf.aspx?utm_source=visit-usf&utm_medium=footer&utm_campaign=usfcms)\n- [Accessibility](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/about-usf\/about-this-site.aspx#accessibility)\n\n✓\n\nThanks for sharing\\!\n\n[AddToAny](https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/ \"Share Buttons\")\n\n[More…](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/2025\/02-07-brandt-emba.aspx#addtoany \"Show all\")","attrs_readable_markdown":"News\n\n![rick brandt talk with NASCAR car](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/images\/2025\/02-07-brandt-hero.png)\n\n*Photo credit: Alexis Yahre, USF Muma College of Business*\n\n- Elizabeth L. Brown\n- February 7, 2025\n- [Business News](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/listing.aspx?category=Business%20News)\n\nTAMPA — Rick Brandt, CEO and president of the agriculture services company BRANDT, didn’t hold back when asked about the biggest hurdles he faced taking over the family’s agricultural fertilizer business at age 29.\n\n“The biggest challenge was the first generation,” he said. “A lot of the things I wanted to do, they held me back. We had an older board of directors and they had a way of doing things.”\n\nIn 1995, the USF alumnus took over the family business, which had been started in 1953 by his parents, Glen and Evelyn Brandt, in Springfield, Illinois.\n\n“My dad was very hard on me. People said he was always so proud of me, but he never told me that,” Brandt said.\n\nDespite the obstacles, Brandt said the focus on family is still at the heart of the business, originally named Brandt’s Fertilizer Service.\n\n“We treat employees like family,” he said. “Our culture is built around fun.”\n\n![rick brandt and david blackwell](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/images\/2025\/02-07-brandt-snippet.jpg)\n\nBrandt was the featured speaker at Friday’s EMBA Conversation with a CEO event at the USF Muma College of Business where about 50 executive MBA and sport and entertainment management students attended.\n\nDuring the hour-long conversation led by [David Blackwell](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/about\/bios\/blackwell-david.aspx), Lynn Pippenger Dean at the Muma College of Business, Brandt shared some business advice and lessons learned to the young executives in the room.\n\nAs CEO, Brandt has overseen the company’s phenomenal growth and expansion, including the acquisition and integration of 16 companies during his tenure. The agricultural company, known as Brandt, provides products and services to help farmers grow healthier crops and employs nearly 500 associates.\n\nHis advice on hiring people: “I knew I wasn’t the smartest guy in the room, but I turned that into an asset. I could attract the smartest guy in the room and get them to work for me.”\n\nOn managing the market fluctuations of the agriculture business: It’s important to have diverse holdings. “In agriculture, you’re going to have failure somewhere in the world every year.”\n\nOn how the company got into NASCAR racing: In 2010, Brandt received a solicitation email about a racing sponsorship opportunity. The mail sat in his inbox for three months before he decided to move forward. The company sponsors JR Motorsports and driver Justin Allgaier in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series.\n\n![nascar car rick brandt](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/images\/2025\/02-07-brandt-snippet-car.jpg)\n\n“I knew nothing about NASCAR. The demographics looked good to me. We didn’t have a marketing person. Within two weeks we had a contract.”\n\nOn why they partner with the Tampa Bay Lightning: “It’s awareness for our brand. People see Brandt is part of Tampa and that we are part of the community,” he said.\n\nAs a partner, they’re able to host a skate night at Amalie Arena for Brandt employees and their families to promote the business’ family culture.\n\nOn why he started the record label, GB Records, to support country artist Kelsey Hickman: “She just needed that break,” Brandt said. “It’s ‘how can I help the hometown kid?”\n\nUSF’s Executive MBA program is among the top 10 [“Best Executive MBA Programs”](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/2024\/07-17-emba-fortune-ranking.aspx) in the nation by *Fortune* magazine.\n\n[Return to article listing](https:\/\/www.usf.edu\/business\/news\/listing.aspx)","meta_canonical":null,"ml_categories_json":"{\"\/Business_and_Industrial\":908,\"\/Business_and_Industrial\/Agriculture_and_Forestry\":889,\"\/Business_and_Industrial\/Agriculture_and_Forestry\/Agricultural_Equipment\":463,\"\/Jobs_and_Education\":235,\"\/Jobs_and_Education\/Education\":217,\"\/Jobs_and_Education\/Education\/Colleges_and_Universities\":199}","ml_types_json":"{\"\/Article\":990,\"\/Article\/News_Update\":701}","ml_intent_types_json":"{\"Informational\":995}","meta_language":"en","attrs_author":"University of South Florida","attrs_publish_time":0,"attrs_original_publish_time":1738368000,"attrs_is_republished":0,"attrs_nr_words":"892","attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words":"529","body_ext_links_number":18,"body_int_links_number":77,"meta_nofollow":0,"meta_noarchive":0,"props_was_rendered":1,"src_redirect":"","download_time_msec":113,"download_ttfb_msec":77,"download_size":70869}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

17 days ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0.6 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property

Value

URL

https://www.usf.edu/business/news/2025/02-07-brandt-emba.aspx

Last Crawled

2026-04-09 19:34:59 (17 days ago)

First Indexed

2025-02-08 06:49:05 (1 year ago)

HTTP Status Code

200

Content

Meta Title

Brandt CEO talks racing, records, and fertilizer at EMBA Conversation with a CEO event

Meta Description

Rick Brandt was the featured speaker at Friday’s EMBA Conversation with a CEO event at the USF Muma College of Business where about 50 executive MBA and sport and entertainment management students attended.

Meta Canonical

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News Photo credit: Alexis Yahre, USF Muma College of Business Elizabeth L. Brown February 7, 2025 Business News TAMPA — Rick Brandt, CEO and president of the agriculture services company BRANDT, didn’t hold back when asked about the biggest hurdles he faced taking over the family’s agricultural fertilizer business at age 29. “The biggest challenge was the first generation,” he said. “A lot of the things I wanted to do, they held me back. We had an older board of directors and they had a way of doing things.” In 1995, the USF alumnus took over the family business, which had been started in 1953 by his parents, Glen and Evelyn Brandt, in Springfield, Illinois. “My dad was very hard on me. People said he was always so proud of me, but he never told me that,” Brandt said. Despite the obstacles, Brandt said the focus on family is still at the heart of the business, originally named Brandt’s Fertilizer Service. “We treat employees like family,” he said. “Our culture is built around fun.” Brandt was the featured speaker at Friday’s EMBA Conversation with a CEO event at the USF Muma College of Business where about 50 executive MBA and sport and entertainment management students attended. During the hour-long conversation led by David Blackwell , Lynn Pippenger Dean at the Muma College of Business, Brandt shared some business advice and lessons learned to the young executives in the room. As CEO, Brandt has overseen the company’s phenomenal growth and expansion, including the acquisition and integration of 16 companies during his tenure. The agricultural company, known as Brandt, provides products and services to help farmers grow healthier crops and employs nearly 500 associates. His advice on hiring people: “I knew I wasn’t the smartest guy in the room, but I turned that into an asset. I could attract the smartest guy in the room and get them to work for me.” On managing the market fluctuations of the agriculture business: It’s important to have diverse holdings. “In agriculture, you’re going to have failure somewhere in the world every year.” On how the company got into NASCAR racing: In 2010, Brandt received a solicitation email about a racing sponsorship opportunity. The mail sat in his inbox for three months before he decided to move forward. The company sponsors JR Motorsports and driver Justin Allgaier in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series. “I knew nothing about NASCAR. The demographics looked good to me. We didn’t have a marketing person. Within two weeks we had a contract.” On why they partner with the Tampa Bay Lightning: “It’s awareness for our brand. People see Brandt is part of Tampa and that we are part of the community,” he said. As a partner, they’re able to host a skate night at Amalie Arena for Brandt employees and their families to promote the business’ family culture. On why he started the record label, GB Records, to support country artist Kelsey Hickman: “She just needed that break,” Brandt said. “It’s ‘how can I help the hometown kid?” USF’s Executive MBA program is among the top 10 “Best Executive MBA Programs” in the nation by Fortune magazine. Return to article listing

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Brown - February 7, 2025 - [Business News](https://www.usf.edu/business/news/listing.aspx?category=Business%20News) [Facebook](https://www.usf.edu/#facebook) [X](https://www.usf.edu/#x) [Email](https://www.usf.edu/#email) [Share](https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usf.edu%2Fbusiness%2Fnews%2F2025%2F02-07-brandt-emba.aspx&title=Brandt%20CEO%20talks%20racing%2C%20records%2C%20and%20fertilizer%20at%20EMBA%20Conversation%20with%20a%20CEO%20event) TAMPA — Rick Brandt, CEO and president of the agriculture services company BRANDT, didn’t hold back when asked about the biggest hurdles he faced taking over the family’s agricultural fertilizer business at age 29. “The biggest challenge was the first generation,” he said. “A lot of the things I wanted to do, they held me back. We had an older board of directors and they had a way of doing things.” In 1995, the USF alumnus took over the family business, which had been started in 1953 by his parents, Glen and Evelyn Brandt, in Springfield, Illinois. “My dad was very hard on me. People said he was always so proud of me, but he never told me that,” Brandt said. Despite the obstacles, Brandt said the focus on family is still at the heart of the business, originally named Brandt’s Fertilizer Service. “We treat employees like family,” he said. “Our culture is built around fun.” ![rick brandt and david blackwell](https://www.usf.edu/business/news/images/2025/02-07-brandt-snippet.jpg) Brandt was the featured speaker at Friday’s EMBA Conversation with a CEO event at the USF Muma College of Business where about 50 executive MBA and sport and entertainment management students attended. During the hour-long conversation led by [David Blackwell](https://www.usf.edu/business/about/bios/blackwell-david.aspx), Lynn Pippenger Dean at the Muma College of Business, Brandt shared some business advice and lessons learned to the young executives in the room. As CEO, Brandt has overseen the company’s phenomenal growth and expansion, including the acquisition and integration of 16 companies during his tenure. The agricultural company, known as Brandt, provides products and services to help farmers grow healthier crops and employs nearly 500 associates. His advice on hiring people: “I knew I wasn’t the smartest guy in the room, but I turned that into an asset. I could attract the smartest guy in the room and get them to work for me.” On managing the market fluctuations of the agriculture business: It’s important to have diverse holdings. “In agriculture, you’re going to have failure somewhere in the world every year.” On how the company got into NASCAR racing: In 2010, Brandt received a solicitation email about a racing sponsorship opportunity. The mail sat in his inbox for three months before he decided to move forward. The company sponsors JR Motorsports and driver Justin Allgaier in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series. ![nascar car rick brandt](https://www.usf.edu/business/news/images/2025/02-07-brandt-snippet-car.jpg) “I knew nothing about NASCAR. The demographics looked good to me. We didn’t have a marketing person. Within two weeks we had a contract.” On why they partner with the Tampa Bay Lightning: “It’s awareness for our brand. People see Brandt is part of Tampa and that we are part of the community,” he said. As a partner, they’re able to host a skate night at Amalie Arena for Brandt employees and their families to promote the business’ family culture. On why he started the record label, GB Records, to support country artist Kelsey Hickman: “She just needed that break,” Brandt said. “It’s ‘how can I help the hometown kid?” USF’s Executive MBA program is among the top 10 [“Best Executive MBA Programs”](https://www.usf.edu/business/news/2024/07-17-emba-fortune-ranking.aspx) in the nation by *Fortune* magazine. 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News ![rick brandt talk with NASCAR car](https://www.usf.edu/business/news/images/2025/02-07-brandt-hero.png) *Photo credit: Alexis Yahre, USF Muma College of Business* - Elizabeth L. Brown - February 7, 2025 - [Business News](https://www.usf.edu/business/news/listing.aspx?category=Business%20News) TAMPA — Rick Brandt, CEO and president of the agriculture services company BRANDT, didn’t hold back when asked about the biggest hurdles he faced taking over the family’s agricultural fertilizer business at age 29. “The biggest challenge was the first generation,” he said. “A lot of the things I wanted to do, they held me back. We had an older board of directors and they had a way of doing things.” In 1995, the USF alumnus took over the family business, which had been started in 1953 by his parents, Glen and Evelyn Brandt, in Springfield, Illinois. “My dad was very hard on me. People said he was always so proud of me, but he never told me that,” Brandt said. Despite the obstacles, Brandt said the focus on family is still at the heart of the business, originally named Brandt’s Fertilizer Service. “We treat employees like family,” he said. “Our culture is built around fun.” ![rick brandt and david blackwell](https://www.usf.edu/business/news/images/2025/02-07-brandt-snippet.jpg) Brandt was the featured speaker at Friday’s EMBA Conversation with a CEO event at the USF Muma College of Business where about 50 executive MBA and sport and entertainment management students attended. During the hour-long conversation led by [David Blackwell](https://www.usf.edu/business/about/bios/blackwell-david.aspx), Lynn Pippenger Dean at the Muma College of Business, Brandt shared some business advice and lessons learned to the young executives in the room. As CEO, Brandt has overseen the company’s phenomenal growth and expansion, including the acquisition and integration of 16 companies during his tenure. The agricultural company, known as Brandt, provides products and services to help farmers grow healthier crops and employs nearly 500 associates. His advice on hiring people: “I knew I wasn’t the smartest guy in the room, but I turned that into an asset. I could attract the smartest guy in the room and get them to work for me.” On managing the market fluctuations of the agriculture business: It’s important to have diverse holdings. “In agriculture, you’re going to have failure somewhere in the world every year.” On how the company got into NASCAR racing: In 2010, Brandt received a solicitation email about a racing sponsorship opportunity. The mail sat in his inbox for three months before he decided to move forward. The company sponsors JR Motorsports and driver Justin Allgaier in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series. ![nascar car rick brandt](https://www.usf.edu/business/news/images/2025/02-07-brandt-snippet-car.jpg) “I knew nothing about NASCAR. The demographics looked good to me. We didn’t have a marketing person. Within two weeks we had a contract.” On why they partner with the Tampa Bay Lightning: “It’s awareness for our brand. People see Brandt is part of Tampa and that we are part of the community,” he said. As a partner, they’re able to host a skate night at Amalie Arena for Brandt employees and their families to promote the business’ family culture. On why he started the record label, GB Records, to support country artist Kelsey Hickman: “She just needed that break,” Brandt said. “It’s ‘how can I help the hometown kid?” USF’s Executive MBA program is among the top 10 [“Best Executive MBA Programs”](https://www.usf.edu/business/news/2024/07-17-emba-fortune-ranking.aspx) in the nation by *Fortune* magazine. [Return to article listing](https://www.usf.edu/business/news/listing.aspx)

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