Growmark Inc. CEO Bill Davisson has announced he plans to retire as soon as possible after Jan. 1, 2011. The Growmark board of directors has formed a selection committee and expects its process to be complete by Nov. 30, 2010. The board said it will consider candidates who have Growmark System experience.
“I want to express sincere appreciation for the leadership Bill Davisson has provided to the Growmark System throughout his 40-year career, most specifically his tenure as CEO from 1998-present,” said Dan Kelley, Growmark chairman of the board and president, in a memo to employees. “During this period, Bill has focused on long-term strategic planning, achievement of profitable growth, and the development of future leaders. He has also contributed greatly to the betterment of cooperatives and the industry of agriculture through various leadership roles.”
Davisson is a member of the CF Industries Holdings Inc. board of directors.
Growmark, Bloomington, Ill., is a regional agricultural supply and grain marketing cooperative, serving some 100,000 farm customers through its FS and grain member cooperatives and retail operations.
CF Industries Holdings Inc.’s board of directors has elected Stephen Hagge as an independent director. He is executive vice president, chief operating officer, and secretary of AptarGroup Inc. Hagge will serve as a Class II director and is expected to stand for re-election by stockholders at the 2013 annual meeting. His election brings membership on the board to nine. Hagge has been the COO of AptarGroup since Jan. 1, 2008; prior to that, he served for 15 years as chief financial officer and corporate secretary. AptarGroup is a leading global supplier of innovative dispensing systems for the fragrance/cosmetic, personal care, pharmaceutical, household, and food/beverage markets. Hagge holds a B.S. degree in accounting from Illinois State University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
David Hernandez has joined Intrepid Potash as the manager of agronomic services and market development. He is originally from Venezuela, where he obtained his BS in Agronomy with a minor in soils. Hernandez worked with former Venezuelan Fertilizer Company Palmaven (Pequiven-PDVSA) as a technical assistant. Afterwards he worked with the Venezuelan Research Ag Institute as an agronomist and soil fertility specialist. He obtained his MS and PhD from Iowa State in Soil Fertility.
Prior to joining Intrepid, Hernandez worked for Georgia-Pacific Resins R&D fertilizer group as a soil scientist, and as an assistant professor in soil fertility and nutrient management at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He will be in located in Intrepid’s Denver office and can be reached at 303-996-4995, or via e-mail at jd.hernandez@intrepidpotash.com.
Zachry Adams has joined Intrepid as an account manager-market development. He is originally from Alabama, where he attended Auburn University and obtained his BS in Forestry. Adams worked for Auburn University as a graduate research assistant while obtaining his MS in Agronomy and Soils. Prior to joining Intrepid, he worked as a soil conservationist with the USDA-NRCS in Alabama. Adams is a certified crop advisor and will be located in Intrepid’s Denver office. He can be reached at 303-996-4997, or by e-mail at zachry.adams@intrepidpotash.com.