Key elements of SynTech’s five-year strategy are to be recognized as the best CRO for Crop and Agronomy expertise and  to expand its Seeds/Traits Services.

There are five key crops in which SynTech has worked for a number of years and has considerable expertise through its global network of research sites.  To provide a focus for this expertise and facilitate its transfer into client’s programs, SynTech has identified lead Crop Specialists, who will provide advice to SynTech Global Account Managers and other SynTech staff on the design and delivery of clients’ global and regional programs:

•          Corn (Maize): Gary Schultz and Dr. Luke Farno (SynTech Research US)
•          Soybeans: Shane Anderson (SynTech Research US)
•          Cotton:  Dr. Lee Simmons and Dr. Chuck Doty (SynTech Research US)
•          Wheat:  Jacques Gales (SynTech Research France) and
  Jerry Calloway (SynTech Research UK)
•          Rice: Simma Netaji (SynTech Research India) and
  Lino Rondon (SynTech Research Philippines)

In line with SynTech’s strategy it will also be enhancing its expertise and subsequently identifying Crop Specialists in the following crops: Oilseed Rape (Canola), Sunflower, Vegetable Crops , Sugarcane, Sugarbeet, Tree Fruit, Vine & Nuts Crops, Turf and Ornamentals, Cellulosic (Biofuel) Crops.

As previously announced, Dr. Luke Farno, Global Seeds/Traits Account Manager will provide specialist expertise for Seeds/Traits (including GMO) programs.

To achieve this expanded worldwide business, a new SynTech Global Organization has been put in place with a number of elements:

• Global Account Managers, for Seeds/Traits, GLP, Ecotoxicology/Public Health, Herbicides/PGRs, Fungicides, Insecticides and Nematicides;
• Directors of Global Operations and Sales & Marketing, who will take on the duties previously held by the Regional Directors;
• Directors of Finance, HR, Communications and Legal Counsel.

The Regional Organization will be strengthened to include: Regional Regulatory Managers, Accountants and, where needed, Regional Program Coordinators and Project Leaders.

The following appointments have already been made:

Directors: Sales and Marketing (Dr. Khosro Khodayari) and Communications (Dr. Colin Ruscoe)

Global Account Managers: Daniel Mourad – GLP; Eric Ythier – Ecotoxicology/Public Health; Dr. Luke Farno – Seeds/Traits; Dr. David Marsden – Entomology; Dr. Chuck Doty Weeds/PGRs; Dr. Lee Simmons – Nematology.

Regional Regulatory Managers: Ms. Isabelle Rety – EU; Ms. Magdalena Zingoni – Americas; Hans Dieter Osten – Asia.

Regional Program Coordinators (EU): Michael South – GEP and Dr. Isabelle Pronier – GLP.

“Further appointments, including the positions of Directors of Global Operations, Finance and HR, and Plant Pathology Account Manager will be made by the end of March 2012,” says Dr. Khodayari. “The new organization will then be fully operational to drive an expanded worldwide business in 2012”.

Further information on the SynTech organization and contact details can be found at www.syntechresearch.com/who-we-are/management-structure and at www.syntechresearch.com/contact-us

Dr. Farno obtained his Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University (OSU) in Plant Breeding and went on to  complete a Postdoctorate at Mississippi State University. He has worked at Garst Seeds and Beck’s Hybrid as a plant breeder for Corn and Soybean at OSU. He has been responsible for GMO field trials compliance in North and South America for the past 5 years.