Pete Valesares has been named president of Yara North America, Inc. He replaces Jack Gale, who has left the company to pursue other interests. Mike Hanson will continue in his position as vice president – Eastern wholesale, further assuming many of the responsibilities previously held by Valesares.
Jim Crawford resigned from Oakley International last week to take the position of international phosphate manager at Transammonia. Crawford will be responsible for both domestic and export phosphate sales, and Rick Bohls, who has been handling domestic sales, will report to Crawford. Crawford’s new number is 813- 261-0060.
Ben-Trei Fertilizer Co. reports that it has added Travis Wilson as vice president, fertilizer sales. Wilson will be moving to the Tulsa office and will be responsible for Ben-Trei’s overall sales and expansion program. He previously held positions with Ameropa North America and DeBruce Fertilizer.
Potash Import & Chemical Corp., New York, has announced the hiring of Matthias Schwind as director fertiva division, effective May 15, 2007. He comes to PICC from fertiva GmbH, Mannheim, Germany, and will be responsible for exploring market opportunities for the fertiva line of nitrogen and compound fertilizers in the U.S. and Canada. Both PICC and fertiva are part of the K+S Group, Kassel, Germany, and PICC says fertiva’s products will be complementary to PICC’s existing product line of potash and magnesium fertilizers.
Spur Ventures Inc., Vancouver, which has its sights on becoming the fastest growing integrated supplier of plant nutrients for the Chinese farmer, has invited Wu Sihai, president of the International Fertilizer Industry Association, to join the company’s board of directors as an independent director. Spur noted that Wu has many years of experience in the fertilizer industry, in both technical and executive positions. He is vice director of the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Association, and since 2003 has been a member of the China National People’s Congress of Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province.