News Releases

DATE:	August 14, 2008
CONTACT:	Gretchen Flanley
	(703) 837-8140

American Seed Trade Association Introduces New Slate of Leadership

Alexandria, VA (August 14, 2008) - The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) announced a new slate of leaders for its 2008 - 09 officers, Board of Directors, as well as several association divisions and committees. "We continue to be excited by the strong participation of so many of our members and those that are willing to take on the added responsibility of leading the organization through the great opportunities that face the American seed industry," said Andy LaVigne, president and CEO of ASTA.


Elected at ASTA's 125th Annual Convention in June, the 2008-2009 officers are:

Chairman: Kelly Keithly - founder and president of Keithly-Williams Seeds of Holtville, Calif. - brings to ASTA leadership extensive knowledge of the vegetable seed business. Keithly previously served as president of the California Seed Association, as well as other positions within ASTA including chairman of the Vegetable and Flower Seed Division; vice president of the Western Region and director at large. Keithly resides in Yuma, Ariz., with his wife Cheryl.

Vice Chairman: Jerry Monk - president of Texas based Kelly Green Seeds and Warner Seeds - is a 35-year veteran of the seed industry. Monk has guided seed operations domestically and internationally with wide ranging experience from production to management. He has served as president of both the Texas Seed Trade Association and the Southern Seed Association and on various ASTA divisions and committees. Monk resides in Farwell, Tex., with his wife Pam.

Second Vice Chairman: John Nelsen - president and CEO of RiceTec, Inc., in Alvin, Tex. - possesses broad experience in the seed industry including strategic planner and business analyst for Monsanto Global Seed Group, general manager for U.S. and Canada seed businesses for Asgrow, and vice president of global oil seed business for Asgrow. He has been an active member of ASTA serving previously on the Board and on several committees. Nelsen resides in Houston, Tex., with his wife Georgiana and their family.


The Board of Directors is also comprised of regional vice presidents, directors at large and past presidents and chairmen of the association. Regional vice presidents include: Craig Newman, AgReliant Genetics (Central); Wayne Vassar, Sharp Brothers Seed Co. (North Central); Risa DeMasi, Grassland Oregon (Northwest); Blake Curtis, Curtis Seed (Southern); John Schoenecker, Harris Moran (Western); Terry Dulaney, AgVenture Inc. (Southeastern); Fred Mohr, Seedway (Northwest); Bryan Gerard, JGL, Inc. (to Canada); Wayne Unger, Brett Young Seeds (from Canada); and Arcadio Lozano, Sakata Mexico (from Mexico). Directors at large include: Dean Oestriech, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.; Marc Cool, Seeds of Change; Don Wertman, Seedway; Tom Wiltrout, Dow AgroSciences; and Dan Burdett, Syngenta. Past presidents and chairmen include: Jim Tobin, Monsanto Company; Harry Collins, Delta Pine Land/Monsanto; Mike Peterson, Peterson Genetics; Sonny Beck, Beck's Superior Hybrids; Nathan Boardman, Crosbyton Seed Company; Wayne Beck, Pioneer Hi-Bred International; Bill Whitacre, Simplot; Bill Latham, Latham Seed Company; J. Stephen Byrum, retired; Fred Clark, retired; Noble Koepp, retired; Dietrich Schmidt, retired; John Studebaker, Cibus, LLC; George Jones, retired; Jerry Peterson, retired; Don McGillivray, retired; John Zajec, Mountain View Seeds, Ltd.; Owen Newlin, Pioneer Hi-Bred International; Bill Schapaugh, retired; Bob Thedinger, retired; Harvey Mauth, retired; and Owen Gilbreath, retired.

In addition to the officers, the Board of Directors includes the chairmen of ASTA divisions and several committees: Delmer Gross, BASF (Corn & Sorghum Seed Division); Doug Bastian, Windfield Solutions, LLC (Farm Seed Division); Kathy McCarthy, The CISCO Companies (Lawn Seed Division); Glen Bowers, Syngenta (Soybean Division); Ron Amarel, Nunhems USA, Inc. (Vegetable & Flower Division); Bob Jondle, Jondle & Associates (Associate Division); and Tim O'Leary, Corn States Hybrid Service (Brokers & Agents Division); Keith Redenbaugh, Seminis (Biotechnology Committee); Don Bermant, Granite Seeds (Environmental & Conservation Committee); Mike Chapman, Pioneer Hi-Bred International (Intellectual Property Rights Committee); Bryan Gerard, JGL, Inc. (International Executive Committee); Risa DeMasi, Grassland Oregon, LLC (Legislative & Legal Concerns Committee).

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Founded in 1883, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), located in Alexandria, Va., is one of the oldest trade organizations in the United States. Its membership consists of about 750 companies involved in seed production and distribution, plant breeding, and related industries in North America. As an authority on plant germplasm, ASTA advocates science and policy issues of industry importance. Its mission is to enhance the development and free movement of quality seed worldwide.