New Positions Announced at Mycogen Seeds

In preparation for significant growth opportunities in the seeds and traits industry, Mycogen Seeds announces several new roles.

“The seed and traits industry is changing rapidly with Mycogen Seeds and Dow AgroSciences at the forefront. To continue meeting the needs of growers, we are pleased to announce some key changes within the U.S. Seeds Division,” says Chris Garvey, Mycogen Seeds general manager. “I am excited about the team we have put together and confident we will continue to provide outstanding seeds and service for growers across the country.”

John Monko is the new Mycogen Seeds national sales manager, responsible for the company’s sales organization, which encompasses 10 sales districts and more than 100 sales representatives. He joins Mycogen Seeds after serving as general manager for Triumph Seed. Monko earned a master’s degree in plant pathology and pest management from the University of Georgia and a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Oswego. Monko replaces Stephen Smith, who has been promoted to technology transfer leader in the Dow AgroSciences Global Technology Transfer group.

Brian Zeeb is the Mycogen Seeds preferred seed dealer leader, responsible for accelerating sales growth with Mycogen Seeds dealers. He formerly was based in Illinois as district sales manager for Mycogen Seeds. An Illinois native and graduate of Northwestern University, Zeeb has had a 16-year career in the seed industry and joined Mycogen Seeds in 2009.

Clay Sellmeyer will replace Zeeb as Mycogen Seeds district sales manager for Illinois and Western Kentucky. Sellmeyer, a graduate of the University of Missouri, began his career with Dow AgroSciences as a crop protection sales representative and served as Mycogen Seeds district channel manager since 2007.

Casey Onstot, former U.S. Seeds traits marketing manager for Dow AgroSciences, has been named Mycogen Seeds national account manager. In this role, Onstot will lead the company’s efforts to accelerate growth with national retail accounts. He received bachelor’s degrees in agricultural studies and business management studies from Iowa State University.

Cole Hansen will fill the role previously held by Onstot. As U.S. Seeds traits marketing manager, Hansen will work with all Dow AgroSciences seed brands, including MYCOGEN^®, to introduce and launch new technologies. Since 2009, Hansen served as seed affiliates marketing communications manager. He has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from the University of Nebraska.

LeAnn Bruns will serve as Mycogen Seeds grower focus leader, developing grower-focused sales and marketing strategies. Bruns joined Dow AgroSciences after earning a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness from the University of Nebraska and is currently pursuing an MBA from the University of Findlay in Ohio. She most recently served as strategy acceleration and productivity leader and sales representative for Mycogen Seeds in Ohio.

Eric Sitzman is named to the newly created role of corn seeds product manager. Sitzman will support and assist the Mycogen Seeds portfolio marketing leaders, focusing on grain corn, silage corn and corn traits. Since 2010, Sitzman has served as market sell Black Belt for the North American Regional Commercial Unit and Global Business Unit. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Sam Hennessee takes on another newly created position as oilseeds product manager. He will support Mycogen Seeds portfolio marketing leaders, focusing on soybeans, canola and sunflowers. Hennessee joined Dow AgroSciences in 2011 as a Six Sigma Black Belt in the Strategy Acceleration and Productivity Group. He earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Indiana University.