Ken Fearday has been appointed President of Research Seeds, Inc., effective May 9, 2000.

Fearday, most recently president of the RSI distribution division, succeeds Bill Whitacre, who resigned April 28. Fearday will be responsible for all operations of Research Seeds, Inc. and its four divisions: Seed Research of Oregon, Urbana Laboratories, Forage Genetics International and Seed Solutions.

"I’m thrilled for this opportunity to become the President of Research Seeds, Inc.," stated Fearday. "Research Seeds is an excellent organization with good people. We have a lot of positive energy and momentum supported by an excellent reputation and a fine tradition as a first class business."

Fearday has over twenty years of successful top management experience in the global seed industry. He joined RSI in February with the acquisition of Advanta Seeds, Inc., where he had been president and general manager in Madison, Wis. since 1989. Previously, he was president and general manager, treasurer/controller and plant manager for J.M. Schultz Seed Company in Dieterich, Ill.

Throughout his career, Fearday has been active in various seed organizations. Currently, he is an officer and member of the Board of Directors of the Western Seed Association. He was president of the Field Seed Institute of North America and served on the Executive Committee for five years. Fearday was chairperson of the ASTA Lawn Seed Division and the ASTA Management Skill committee. He also served as director for the Illinois Foundation Seed Inc. and the Illinois Crop Improvement Association.

An Illinois native, Fearday received his Masters of Business Administration and his Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois-Champaign. He and his wife, Marge, have four children.

Research Seeds, Inc. is recognized as a worldwide leader in the development, production and marketing of proprietary forage, turf seed and agricultural microbials for nearly 30 years. Seed Research of Oregon is an acknowledged leader in the research, breeding and production of turfgrasses for golf courses and commercial markets. Urbana Laboratories is a world leader in the development, production and marketing of microbial inoculants for forage legumes, soybeans and other legumes. Forage Genetics International is an industry leader in research, seed production, packaging, distributing and marketing of value-added alfalfa technologies. Seed Solutions is comprised of regional distributors of turf seed, farm seed, vegetable seed and other related products in their respective regions.