People and Events

People

Charles Whitt joined Becker Underwood as communications manager for its United States- and Mexico-based operations. Whitt will focus on several product lines which include beneficial nematodes, inoculants, seed enhancements and turf and horticulture.

In his new position, Whitt will lead Becker Underwood’s U.S. and Mexico product marketing communications efforts, providing both strategic and tactical leadership in the development and execution of all aspects of the company’s communications with both external and internal customers.

Previously, Whitt worked for General Electric and Caterpillar. He joins Becker Underwood from Bunting Magnetics Co. in Kansas, where he was vice president, marketing and communications for the past four years. Whitt earned his MBA from the University of Rochester and his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Missouri.  

Sakata promoted Dennis Storm to director of supply chain for Sakata Seed America, and Ken Reid to facilities operations manager for Alf Christianson Seed Co. The two will report to Dave Armstrong, president and CEO of Sakata America Holding Inc.

Storm will oversee Sakata Seed America’s supply chain activities in North America. He was most recently the supply chain manager for Sakata Seed America.

Reid will oversee Alf Christianson Seed Co.’s operations at facilities in Burlington, Wash., and Mt. Vernon, Wash. He most recently worked as vice president of processing operations for California Olive Ranch Co. and also worked for Bolthouse Farms for more than 18 years. 

EMP SA appointed Erik K. Verhoeff managing director of CO-EX Corp.  He has more than 15 years of experience in public trading and family owned companies, in several countries around the world. 

After more than 30 years of service for Syngenta, Margaret Bell retired May 4. Her career spanned the green industry, pest control and agriculture since the late 1970s. She worked in marketing communications in Syngenta’s lawn and garden group since 2001. Bell was well known in the industry, interacting regularly with editors, public relations professionals, writers and more. Her retirement plans are yet to be determined.
 

Calendar

June
3-5,
North American Horticulture Supply Association annual meeting,
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.,
www.nahsa.org/

15-17,
Flower Trials,
The Netherlands and Germany,
www.flowertrials.nl

19-22,
International Floriculture Expo,
Miami Beach, Fla.,
www.floriexpo.com

21,
Darwin Perennials Day,
Chicago,
www.darwinperennials.com

23,
Gardens by the Sea Garden Tour,
Charleston, R.I.,
www.crossmills.org

27,
Dallas Arboretum Plant Trials Field Day,
www.dallasplanttrials.org
 

July
14-17,
OFA Short Course,
Columbus, Ohio,
www.ofa.org


August
7-9,
AAS Summer Summit,
Michigan,
www.all-americaselections.org

14-16,
Plantscape Industry Expo,
Las Vegas,
www.piagrows.org


September
10-12, OFA Perennial Production Conference,
Grand Rapids, Mich.,
www.ofaconferences.org

16-19, International Trials Conference,
London,
www.rhs.org.uk

October
4-5,
Canadian Greenhouse Conference,
Niagara Falls, Ontario,
www.canadiangreenhouseconference.com


November
7-8, Northeast Greenhouse Conference and Expo,
Worchester, Mass.,
www.negreenhouse.org
 

Do you have an event to list in the calendar? Contact us at lallen@gie.net.