Del Braddock has joined Yara North America’s Eastern wholesale team as Midwest and South regional manager. Prior to joining Yara, Del held top management positions in the fertilizer divisions of Farmland Industries Inc., Agriliance LLC, and most recently with Interoceanic Corp. Del will report to Mike Hanson, vice president of Eastern Wholesale, and work in very close cooperation with his counterparts, Duncan Roberts, South Central and Southeast regional manager, and Gary Vogen, Cornbelt and Northeast regional manager.
Del will begin day-to-day activities for Yara on Nov. 5. He can be contacted at 913-341-7888.
In a move to further focus Agrotain International, L.L.C. on distributor and retail sales, Steve Phillips, vice president of North American agricultural sales, announces the creation of three divisions in the North American Agriculture Group. Along with the re-organization, three employees were promoted to directors. Jimmy Johnson, based in Collierville, Tenn., is the director of the new South division. Ben Thompson, from Rosemount, Minn., is the East division director, and will also assume the responsibilities of director, industrial division. Norm Davy, Winnipeg, Canada, is the director of the Pacific North division.
“As demand continues to grow for our Stabilized Nitrogen products, we believe that the market would be better served with the creation of three divisions within North America,” said Phillips. “With the rapid growth in Agrotain®, Agrotain Plus® and SuperU® sales and the increasing need for increased fertilizer use efficiency, I’m confident that our new directors and their teams will enable us to provide superior customer service to help farmers grow crops more profitably.” The three directors will be responsible for the 15 sales regions, and will report to Phillips.
Norm Davy has announced that Neil Yelland has been hired as the company’s regional manager in Saskatchewan. He will be responsible for sales and service in the province. Agrotain said with a background in retail, seed, crop protection, and the fertilizer industry, he is well versed in working with technologies that help farmers improve their bottom line. Yelland has experience with Bayer Crop Sciences, John Deere, Monsanto Canada, Zeneca Agro, and Mallard Petroleum.
The Western Plant Health Association has elected new board members and officers for 2008. The organization also presented service awards to a few of its members during its annual meeting, held Oct. 7-9 in Tucson, Ariz. WPHA officers elected included Kent Johnson of Ag Production Co. in Turlock as chairperson; Barry Powell of Calamco as vice chair; Brian Lish of BASF Corp. as secretary/treasurer; and Barbara LeVake of Trical, Bill Hume of Dupont, and Steve Gillette of PotashCorp sales as executive committee members.
The following were newly elected to three-year terms on the WPHA board of directors: Franco Campana of Monsanto; Ron Naven of Yara North America Inc.; Mosby Blanks of Helena Chemical Co.; Susan Ricketts of Bear River Supply Co.; Ray Maul of Kerman Ag Resources; and Dave Dufault of J.R. Simplot Co.
This year’s Integrity Award went to Ralph Iliff of NH3 Service Co., Salinas; the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award went to Bill Miller, formerly of Wilbur-Ellis Co.; and the 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award went to Bob Smith of Calamco.
ISX Resources Inc., which is exploring potash reserves in Saskatchewan (GM Oct. 15, p. 14) reports that it is currently seeking a new director with potash and/or agribusiness experience. This follows the resignation of Damien Reynolds, director, who is leaving to focus on his flagship products, Longview Capital Partners Inc. and Kyoto Planet Group.
The new Shell Sulphur Solutions (GM Sept. 24, p. 10) has released its organizational chart. Leading the unit is Egbert Veldman, vice president, sulphur. Reporting to him are several general managers, including Patrick Romeo, strategy and marketing; Larry Marks, portfolio; Bryon Petti, supply and operations; Ken Keenan, sulphur sales; Loh Seng Yee, SEF (Sulfur Enhanced Fertilizer); MikeMartin, SEAM (Asphalt Modifier); and Alec Pannall, S-Concrete.
Martin Peilicke, 68, died unexpectedly on Oct. 6. He was active in the German potash industry for 38 years. From 1977-1991, he was director “Kontor Kali” of Kali-Bergbau in the GDR. In 1991, he became director of Kali-Export GmbH in Vienna. From 1995 to 2002, when he retired, he worked in a leading position at the international sales department at the K+S head office in Kassel.