John Nalivka has over 30 years of experience in livestock and meat industry economic advisory services. He holds a B.S. degree in Animal Science from the University of Idaho and an M.S. degree in Agricultural and Resource Economics with an emphasis on production economics and price analysis from the University of Nevada. From 1984 to 1986, Nalivka was an agricultural economist with the Economic Research Service of USDA, with primary responsibilities as a cattle industry analyst. Following his employment at USDA, Nalivka served as a Market Information Specialist at Oregon State University and Director of Research at the Helming Group. Prior to graduate school, he spent several years working for large ranching operations in the West.

In 1991, Nalivka became a partner and Executive Vice President of Sterling Marketing, Inc., helping to develop the economic advisory services that the firm offers today. He purchased the firm in 1994, making him and his wife Sheri the sole owners.