Following the closing of Symborg’s acquisition by Corteva Agriscience on March 2, Raphael Godinho takes over Symborg as the new general manager, replacing former CEO and co-founder Jesús Juárez.
Godinho, an agricultural engineer, previously served as global product manager and global program leader of biologicals at Corteva. He will be located at company headquarters in Murcia, Spain.
Godinho began his relationship with Symborg by leading Corteva’s global negotiation of the distribution agreement between the two companies to expand and bring Utrisha N and BlueN nutrient efficiency optimization solutions to growers.
Today, Symborg and Stoller are joining forces with Corteva to create Corteva’s biological unit, Corteva Biologicals Business, to provide
farmers with differentiated and sustainable biological solutions to meet their needs. ●
Nathan Bowen has been promoted to advocacy and public affairs vice president with the Irrigation Association (IA). Bowen joined the IA in 2022 as the organization’s advocacy director.
In this role, Bowen is responsible for planning and executing the strategic direction of the initiatives focused on the IA’s public affairs, government relations, and standards and codes efforts. Bowen continues his work serving as the chief lobbyist for the IA and leading the association’s government relations work at the federal, state and local levels. In addition, Bowen will spearhead the IA’s public affairs efforts that help share the positive impact of irrigated agriculture and irrigated landscapes and drive messaging for the industry and consumers.
In addition to his advocacy and public affairs responsibilities, Bowen will also manage the industry’s participation in standards and code development initiatives, working with aligned organizations, standard-setting bodies and industry experts. ●
Taranis has appointed Opher Flohr as chief executive officer, succeeding Bar Veinstein
Flohr brings over 15 years of experience in operations, finance, and strategy to his new role. Having joined Taranis as chief financial and operating officer in 2019, he has been instrumental in driving the company’s success and expansion. Prior to joining Taranis, Flohr held leadership positions at several global companies, where he helped drive growth and improve operational efficiency.
Veinstein, who has led Taranis over the past two and a half years, has accepted a leadership role at a major public company. Veinstein will work closely with Flohr and the management team to ensure a smooth transition. ●
NewLeaf Symbiotics announced that Shawn W. Semones, Ph.D. has joined the company as chief technology officer (CTO). In his new role, Semones will be responsible for driving the company’s technology strategy and growth.
Semones brings extensive experience in agriculture and biotech fields, along with a deep background in established and start-up biotech companies. He is a visionary leader with a proven track record of building profitable growth platforms, developing motivated, high-performing teams, and establishing partnerships leading to rapid development and deployment of technologies.
Prior to joining NewLeaf Symbiotics, Semones served as CTO at Anuvia Plant Nutrients. He has also served as executive vice president of research and development / CTO at Concentric Ag Corporation. Additionally, Semones held various leadership positions at Novozymes Biologicals Inc. for over 18 years, including Director of BioAg R&D application development and biologicals site president. ●
ADAMA Ltd. has appointed Steve Hawkins, currently ADAMA’s senior vice president, Americas, as its president and chief executive officer. Hawkins succeeds Ignacio Dominguez, who has elected to retire from the company after serving in a series of senior roles at ADAMA.
Hawkins has spent his entire career in agriculture, beginning in sales with GROWMARK in Canada before joining one of Syngenta’s legacy companies, ICI Canada, nearly three decades ago. He has held a number of senior roles during his time with the company, including regional director EAME, head of sales CP and Seeds USA, head of commercial operations for NA Corn and Soya Seeds, country head for Japan and South Korea, and regional director APAC for both CP and Seeds. As ADAMA’s senior vice president, Americas since 2021, he has overseen its North American and Latin American businesses, as well as its consumer and professional (non-crop) businesses globally.
Hawkins holds a diploma in agriculture and an executive MBA in food and agribusiness, both from the Ontario Agricultural College, at the University of Guelph, and has a bachelor’s degree in administrative studies from Toronto’s York University. ●
