A. Charles Fischer, global leader of the Agricultural Chemicals & Urban Pest business platform for Dow AgroSciences, has been named to succeed John L. Hagaman as president and chief executive officer of Dow AgroSciences LLC, effective March 1, 1999. Fischer will report to William S. Stavropoulos, president and chief executive officer of The Dow Chemical Company.

"Dow AgroSciences has delivered consistently strong results under Charlie Fischer’s leadership of our Agricultural Chemical & Urban Pest business platform," said Stavropoulos in making the appointment. "His long-standing experience in the agri-chemicals industry, past international leadership roles in Dow AgroSciences, and broad knowledge of related customers and markets have prepared Charlie for sustaining the exciting momentum of Dow AgroSciences."

"John Hagaman’s legacy at Dow AgroSciences is marked by a 10-year run of exemplary leadership," noted Stavropoulos. "John’s major contributions of integrating venture companies and business platforms have yielded tremendous growth for this important Dow business." Stavropoulos added, "John will serve as chairman of the Members Committee so that we can continue to benefit from his industry experience and the depth of this business knowledge." The Members Committee is the executive board overseeing policy and investment for Dow AgroSciences.

Charlie Fischer assumed the position of global leader, Agricultural Chemicals & Urban Pest business platform in November, 1997. Fischer will continue in his current role, leading the Agricultural Chemicals & Urban Pest business platform in addition to assuming expanded responsibilities as president and chief executive officer.

Fischer joined The Dow Chemical Company in 1967 and held a number of positions in sales and marketing, including Global Business Operations Manager and Herbicides Business Manager. In 1984, he was named Dow Brazil Vice President and General Manager of the Dow Brazil Agricultural Chemical business. He was named to a similar position for Dow Chemical Europe in 1987. In November 1989, at the formation of DowElanco he was named Vice President and General Manager of DowElanco Europe; and in July 1992, Fischer was named Vice President of North America.

Fischer is on the executive committee and chairs the strategic planning committee of the American Crop Protection Association (ACPA). In September of this year, he is slated to assume the chairmanship of ACPA. Additionally, Fisher serves as a trustee of Farm Foundation and as a board member of Junior Achievement of Central Indiana. He is also the past foundation chairman of the National FFA.

Fischer is a graduate of Texas A&M University.

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, 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 safety, health and quality of life of the world's growing population. The company employs more than 3,000 people in over 50 countries and has worldwide sales of more than $2 billion. Dow AgroSciences is wholly-owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company. For more information, the Dow AgroSciences website is www.dowagro.com .

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