The American Seed Trade
Association (ASTA) announced today that Richard T. Crowder
of Naperville, Ill., will become the association’s new Chief
Executive Officer on April 15, 2002. He comes to ASTA with more
than 30 years of experience in the food, agriculture, and
international trade industries, including the seed industry.
"Dick is a very well-rounded individual who has the
personality, leadership and vision to take ASTA to the next
level," said Sonny Beck, chair of the ASTA Search Committee and
First Vice President of ASTA. "He not only has been a successful
businessman known to make things happen, but also has domestic
and international trade policy experience as a former U.S. Under
Secretary of Agriculture."
Crowder is the former Senior Vice President, International,
of DEKALB Genetics Corporation (now part of Monsanto), a
worldwide leader in agricultural genetics and seed biotechnology
that markets hybrid corn, sorghum and sunflower seed as well as
varietal soybean and alfalfa. He managed all of DEKALB’s
business outside of the United States, involving more than 30
countries. He dramatically increased the profits and market
share of DEKALB’s international operations.
Prior to joining DeKalb in 1994, Crowder was Executive Vice
President and General Manager International of meat processor
Armour Swift-Eckrich, a division of ConAgra. From 1975-89, he
worked at the Pillsbury Company in a series of increasingly
responsible senior executive positions.
From 1989-92, Crowder served as Under Secretary of
International Affairs & Commodity Programs for the U.S.
Department of Agriculture. In this role, he was responsible for
all agencies concerned with international trade and development
as well as domestic farm programs. He had leadership roles in
major trade negotiations and the 1990 Farm Bill.
"With the unprecedented changes in technology in agriculture
in recent years, it is imperative that policy and
commercialization practices keep pace with technology," Crowder
said.
"ASTA has the opportunity to help in this process," he noted.
"The needs of diverse stakeholders must be brought together to
meet the challenges and opportunities of the seed industry in
the 21st Century."
Crowder is currently an independent consultant, serves as an
advisor to start-up companies, and is a member of the Board of
Directors of Penford Corporation.
Crowder, who grew up on a farm in Virginia, has a B.S. and
M.S. from Virginia Tech and a Ph.D. from Oklahoma State
University.
Founded in 1883, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA),
headquartered in Alexandria, Va., is one of the oldest trade
organizations in the United States. Its membership consists of
about 850 companies involved in seed production and
distribution, plant breeding, and related industries in North
America. As an authority on plant germplasm, ASTA advocates
science and policy issues of industry importance. Its mission is
to enhance the development and free movement of quality seed
worldwide.
