A. Charles Fischer, President and Chief Executive Officer, of Dow AgroSciences LLC, today announced his plans to retire effective February 1, 2004.  Jerome Peribere, Vice President, Agricultural Chemicals, has been named Fischer’s successor.  

Fischer, who has served as President and CEO of Dow AgroSciences since March 1, 1999, will complete 37 years of service with The Dow Chemical Company. He will become Chairman of the Dow AgroSciences Members Committee, which is the executive board overseeing policy and investment for Dow AgroSciences.

Peribere will report to J. Pedro Reinhard, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, for The Dow Chemical Company.

“Charlie has led the agricultural business through years of rapid industry change, and we are proud of the accomplishments of Dow AgroSciences,” said Reinhard.  “We continue to expect great things from our agricultural business as we work to enhance shareholder value, and know that Jerome has the global experience, leadership ability and business acumen to continue to deliver success.”

Peribere’s nearly 27-year career with The Dow Chemical Company has spanned sales, management and strategic roles around the globe.  He joined the company in 1977 as a sales representative in France for Specialty Chemicals before joining the agricultural business as Regional Marketing Manager of Eastern Europe.  He moved to Geneva in 1985 to serve as Regional Manager for the Middle East and Africa, and became Ag European Business Director in 1988. 

In 1989, he was appointed Commercial Director of Europe for Dow’s agricultural business, and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, in early 1993 to assume the position of Global Commercial Director.   He became Corporate Strategy Leader for the agricultural business and joined the Dow AgroSciences Management Board in 1997.  He was named a Vice President in 1998.

Peribere received a Master’s Degree in business economics and finance from the Institute D’Etudes Politiques in Paris, France.

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a global leader in providing pest management and biotechnology products that improve the quality and quantity of the earth's food supply and contribute to the health and quality of life of the world's growing population. Dow AgroSciences has approximately 6,000 people in over 50 countries dedicated to its business, and has worldwide sales of US $2.7 billion. Dow AgroSciences is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company.