Mark Luecke

Mark Luecke is the CEO of Houdek, formerly known as Prairie AquaTech, a company that specializes in developing plant-based ingredients for aquaculture and other industries.1 He has been leading the company since its formation in 2012, which originated from research conducted at South Dakota State University.1

Under Luecke's leadership, Prairie AquaTech has grown into a successful agricultural startup that uses a natural, biological process to convert plant-based materials like soybean meal and dried distillers grain into high-quality ingredients for fish and shrimp feed.1 The company's innovative approach has gained international recognition for its positive impact on the global aquaculture industry.1

Luecke has overseen the company's expansion, which now includes nearly 75 employees across multiple locations, including manufacturing facilities in Volga and research and development operations in Brookings, South Dakota.1 He has also attracted talent from across the industry, with team members located in various cities throughout the United States.1

In recognition of his achievements, Mark Luecke has received several accolades:

1. He was named Small Business Exporter of the Year by the Small Business Administration.3
2. In 2019, he was awarded the Spirit of Enterprise Award by McGowan Capital and the Enterprise Institute.4

Luecke's experience extends beyond Prairie AquaTech. He has 20 years of experience in starting, leading, advising, and successfully exiting technology and other growth-oriented companies.5 Additionally, he has served as the CEO of Medgene Labs, another company in the biotechnology sector.6

His LinkedIn profile can be found under the username "markluecke"2, where he is listed as having connections with over 500 professionals in his network.