Cary, North Carolina, USA
September 2, 104

Verdesian Life Sciences announced that Robert Berendes has recently joined the company's board of directors.

"Robert brings a great depth of knowledge of product development and organizational growth,” said J.J. Grow, Verdesian Chief Executive Officer. “Our board is delighted to welcome him as our newest member. The perspective Robert brings to Verdesian and our board, coupled with his enthusiasm to work with a growing technology-driven company, are incredibly valuable given our commitment to developing a diverse portfolio of plant health and nutrition products.”

Kevin Schwartz, President of Paine & Partners, the majority owner of Verdesian, added his welcome.  “Robert is a tremendous addition to the Verdesian board.  We at Paine & Partners worked closely with Robert over several years while he was at Syngenta in connection with our investment in Advanta, then one of the largest agronomic seed companies in the world,” said Schwartz.  “With Robert, we solved a number of complex transactional issues and established a strong long-term relationship based on a shared vision for driving increased agricultural efficiency.”

“Verdesian and its portfolio of products are perfect examples of how innovative technology enables farmers to grow more even in the face of environmental considerations and less tillable land,” said Berendes. “I’m looking forward to working with Verdesian to help growers achieve greater productivity.”

Berendes joins the Verdesian board with a strong background in the agriculture industry. Now co-owner and partner of a-connect, a global consulting firm specializing in strategy implementation, growth projects and change management, Berendes previously worked with Syngenta Crop Protection.

He joined Syngenta in 2002 from McKinsey & Company. From 2007 through 2014, Berendes was Syngenta’s head of business development and a member of the executive committee. Additionally since October 2012, he had interim responsibility for the company’s research and development. Prior to that he headed the diverse field crops unit, and from 2002 to 2005 was head of the strategy, planning and M&A department.

 

Website: http://www.vlsci.com

Published: September 2, 2014