Monsanto CEO rejigs management team to 'create focus'

18 June 2003 17:24  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (CNI)-- Hugh Grant, president and chief executive of US agrosciences giant Monsanto, reorganised the company's businesses Wednesday under two geographic leaders to "optimise" income growth for the seeds and trait business and refocus "on biotechnology acceptance."

Said Grant: "As we continue the process of transforming Monsanto from a business based on chemistry to an agricultural global leader focused largely on seeds and traits, it's imperative that our business structure reflects the realities of how our business is changing."

Grant said that effective immediately, Brett Begemann and Carl Casale will lead all Monsanto's commercial operations.

Begemann will be responsible for redesigning the company's business models in specific countries to optimise the cash-generating capabilities of the chemistry business and the growth potential of seeds and traits, Grant said.

Casale will lead Monsanto's North and Central American businesses focusing on executing the post-patent strategy for Roundup herbicide in the US and driving growth in the seeds, traits and animal agriculture businesses.

Both Begemann and Casale were named Monsanto executive vice presidents.

Gerald Steiner and Mark Leidy were also named executive vice presidents of Monsanto. Steiner is charged with redefining the company's biotechnology acceptance goals and strategy to improve Monsanto's global market acceptance for biotechnology and support the product pipeline, Grant said.

Leidy will continue to lead the global manufacturing organisation with a focus on producing quality products while leveraging the company's manufacturing cost position.

Cheryl Morley was named senior vice president and will work with Grant to develop the company's longer-term strategy.

Terrell Crews, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will assume additional operational duties, Grant said, but was not specific.

Grant said the roles of other members of Monsanto's executive management team will remain unchanged including Robert Fraley, executive vice president and chief technology officer; Charles Burson, executive vice president/secretary and general counsel; and, John Murabito, senior vice president, human resources.

St Louis, Missouri-based Monsanto is a global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products.

By: Mike Sheridan
+1 713 525 2653

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