Dow AgroSciences names new leaders

INDIANAPOLIS — Dow AgroSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, announced a new leadership structure for businesses in North America as the company continues to implement its growth strategy.

Rajan Gajaria, Global Leader for Latin America and Pacific, will add responsibility for North America, effective May 1, as the company establishes the new position of Global Leader, North America and Latin America. Gajaria began his career with Dow AgroSciences in India in 1993 and moved to the company’s headquarters in Indianapolis in 1999. His Dow AgroSciences career includes a variety of U.S. and global marketing, manufacturing and corporate strategy roles. Immediately prior to his current position, Gajaria was Marketing Director for U.S. Crop Protection. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering from the University of Mumbai and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management.

Gajaria succeeds Stan Howell, who has been named Global General Manager for AgroFresh, a Dow AgroSciences business that is a global industry leader in advanced proprietary technologies for the horticulture and agronomic markets. Howell joined Dow in 1976 as a sales trainee in Memphis, Tenn., and over his career served in a variety of sales and marketing positions. Howell became Global Leader for North America in 2002. He later added responsibilities for pest management, all North American seed businesses, healthy oils and traits, leading those businesses through a period of unprecedented growth. Howell received a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Indiana University.

Both Gajaria and Howell will remain in Indianapolis, reporting to Tim Hassinger, incoming Dow AgroSciences President and CEO, effective May 1.

In addition, Dow AgroSciences announces three newly created management roles in the U.S. Regional Commercial Unit (RCU), all reporting to Gajaria. Susanne Wasson, currently U.S. Marketing Director, is named U.S. Crop Protection Leader. Ben Kaehler will be U.S. Sales Leader, after serving previously as General Manager for U.S. Seeds Affiliates and Traits and Germplasm Licensing (T&GL). Brian Barker is named General Manager, U.S. Seeds, with responsibility for Mycogen Seeds, PhytoGen, U.S. Seeds Affiliates and T&GL. Barker is currently the country leader for both Argentina and Chile, and will relocate from Argentina to Indianapolis.

“We look forward to bringing growers breakthrough technology in both the crop protection and the seeds and traits businesses,” Gajaria said. “Although the Dow AgroSciences leadership structure is changing, the strategies that proved so successful under Stan Howell’s leadership will not change. Our mission of providing innovative solutions to customers is as strong as ever.”