Jim Spradlin, Growmark Agronomy Division vice president, has announced organizational changes, effective March 16.
Ron Milby is named executive director, agronomy marketing, responsible for developing and executing comprehensive agronomy marketing strategies. He has served as Seed Division manager since 2000. He joined the Growmark in 1987 in systems and programming, led precision farming efforts, and served as lead in agronomy marketing and agronomy services.
Lance Ruppert is named agronomy marketing and implementation manager, reporting to Milby. Ruppert has served as seed district sales manager, crop protection marketing manager, and, most recently, seed sales and marketing manager.
Mark Thornsbrough will replace Milby as Seed Division manager. He has 26 years of service with Growmark, with experience as Crop Protection Division manager, Northern region marketing director, and forage and turf department manager, and as a crop specialist at a local FS company.
Matt Hynes is named seed sales and marketing manager. He joined Growmark in 1979 as a crop specialist at Marshall-Putnam Oil Co., now AgView FS. His professional experience also includes positions as agronomy/energy marketing manager in Storm Lake, Iowa; Northern region seed sales agronomist; general manager of Vermilion, now Illini FS; FS Seed DSM, seed marketing manager; and most recently, director, agronomy marketing.
Dr. Jeff Bunting will take over as Crop Protection Division Manager. He joined Growmark in 2004, serving in various positions, including regional seed agronomist, weed science technical manager, FS corn product manager, and crop protection marketing manager.