Agriliance LLC has announced a closer alignment between its Heartland and Crop Nutrient divisions in order to forge a more market-focused organization. As a result, Rod Schroeder, former vice president, Heartland, was promoted to executive vice president. In his new role, his duties will be expanded to include the Crop Nutrients division as well as Heartland. Reporting to Schroeder from Crop Nutrients will be Doug Wonnacott, Brian Thoma, and Bruce Vernon.
Jim Blome, former vice president, Coastal division, was named executive vice president, Coastal division. In addition to that division, he will assume a greater role in mergers and acquisitions. Keith Peterson, former vice president, chief financial officer, is the new vice president of mergers and acquisitions, and will assume responsibility for credit functions. Steve Miller, Joel Ott, and Gary Gavin will report to Peterson. Dan Oberstadt of corporate credit will have daily accountability to Peterson.
Cheryl Schmura, vice president and chief financial officer, will assume responsibility for the full corporate accounting function. Mark Ogletree and his staff, along with Tom Mitzel, will continue to have functional accountability to Jim Blome and Rod Schroeder, respectively.
William D. Barton Jr., 59, lost his battle with leukemia Jan. 9, 2007. Services were held Jan. 12 in Bay City, Texas. Bill was CEO of Bonus Crop Fertilizer Inc. and very active in The Fertilizer Institute and the Southwestern Fertilizer Conference. He will be missed by family and friends.
Eddie S. Barton, 86, wife of the late W.D. (Billy) Barton Sr., passed away Jan. 16, 2007. Services were to be held in Bay City on Jan. 19. Mrs. Barton helped start the Barton family business (Bay City Fertilizer) in 1974 and dedicated her life to the business and her family.
J. R. Simplot, 98, is on the mend, with the company saying he is making steady progress in his recovery from the head injury he sustained Jan. 1 in Phoenix after the Fiesta Bowl (GM Jan. 8, p. 10). He is participating in daily physical therapy sessions at the Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Hospital in Boise, and will undergo treatment there for an indeterminate period of time. After the accident, Simplot had surgery at the University of Phoenix hospital to relieve fluid build-up inside his skull. After nine days of consistent improvement while in Phoenix, he was transported by air ambulance to Boise Jan. 10.