Advanta, the parent of Garst Seed Company, announces the appointment of Michael J. Muston to a vice president position for the multi-national biotech and life sciences corporation. Muston
will support Col Seccombe, Advanta Americas Regional Director as well as have responsibilities in South America and Canada. In the United States, Muston will overview Advanta's Grass Seed business and general business development opportunities. In his new role, Muston will also have a seat on the Advanta Management Board.

"We are very pleased to have someone with Mike Muston's level of experience and diverse background onboard with Advanta," says Col Seccombe, North American Regional Director for Advanta and president/CEO of Garst Seed Company. "Mike brings a unique mix of manufacturing, life sciences and seed industry experience to the Advanta Management Team and in today's multi-national and cross-industry environment, this type of 'vision' is welcomed."

Most recently, Muston served as president of Mycogen Seeds headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota. Prior to that, his diverse background includes management positions with Elanco Products Company, Eli Lilly Corporation and DowElanco, where he served as the West Coast Manager for a wide range of specialty agricultural products and business development.

"I'm very much looking forward to joining the Advanta team," says Muston. "Over the years, Advanta has demonstrated their commitment to be a major player in the life sciences, biotechnology and seed business. It's an exciting opportunity during exciting times in world agriculture."

Advanta Background

In 1985, ICI Americas, now called Zeneca, purchased Garst Seed Company. Then, in 1996, Zeneca merged its worldwide seed business with VanderHave of Holland. Thus, the firm Roswell Garst founded just 66 years before had now become part of a global seed technology group named Advanta.

Garst is the largest member of the Advanta group of companies. With corporate and research headquarters in Slater, Iowa, Garst, along with AgriPro Seeds and Interstate Seeds are key components in Advanta's worldwide seed technology network that includes research, development and breeding facilities in 13 U.S. states and in 12 countries around the globe.

Key crops within the Advanta companies include alfalfa, canola, corn, grain sorghum, grasses, soybeans, sugarbeets and sunflower. Advanta and its worldwide member companies employ thousands of technical staff all devoted to advancing plant breeding, genetics and seed production - all with one goal in mind - to offer real benefits to farmers and help them succeed in their business of feeding the world.

N1636