Seminis, Inc., the world's leading developer, producer and marketer of vegetable and fruit seeds, has announced four important management appointments aimed at continuing growth, completing its consolidation strategy, and increasing the quality of its products and service.

Seeking to maximize efficiencies among its brands and businesses, Seminis has appointed Jay Hulbert to assume full time the duties of vice president of strategic planning for the company's worldwide business. Hulbert joined Seminis in 1986 through predecessor company, Petoseed and has held senior positions including vice president of North America sales and strategic planning, vice president of North America and Asia, and other management positions within Petoseed, now a Seminis brand.

"Jay has led the Seminis sales effort in North America for the past four years through an important time of tremendous growth and during the challenges of a merger. In his new capacity, he will continue to play a key role in the company as we expand our business globally, complete our consolidation strategy and integrate newly acquired companies and brands,'' said Alejandro
Rodriguez Graue, president and CEO.

Seminis has also named Roger Thulin as its vice president of North America sales. Thulin, who for four years led the North America sales team for Petoseed will now oversee the sales effort for all Seminis brands operating in the NAFTA region.

"Roger's strong leadership skills will continue to reinforce our already strong position in this
important market,'' said Rodriguez.

Thulin joined Seminis through Petoseed in 1985 and has held a variety of positions within the
company in such areas as marketing, sales and sales management.

In a move to strengthen the company's quality program, Wayne Wiebe Ph.D. was appointed vice
president of quality assurance for Seminis. Wiebe has more than two decades of experience in plant pathology, concentrating on the practical application of the science in disease detection. He holds a Ph.D. in plant pathology from the University of California at Davis and has been with the Seminis organization, including the Petoseed brand, for more than five years.

"Wayne has coordinated the company's quality assurance effort since January and will now take on the job formally. He will focus on strengthening the company's total quality effort and reinforce our commitment to make this a top priority,'' said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez also announced the appointment of Steve Cull to vice president of information technology. Cull joined Seminis through Petoseed in 1986 and has held several key positions within the company, including vice president of SAP/R3 implementation, interim director of quality assurance, general manager of Seminis' Incotec subsidiary, and vice president of operations for Petoseed.

"Steve's deep understanding of IT and experience directing the SAP implementation will be critical
as we build a longer-term strategy for the company in this area,'' he said.

To improve communications with and promote the company to the investment community, Mark D. Stowers Ph.D. has been named vice president of investor relations for Seminis, which offered its stock to the public for the first time in June. In this new capacity, Stowers will lead the company's efforts to inform shareholders, potential shareholders and the financial community about Seminis' performance and potential.

"Mark was instrumental in guiding us through our recent initial public offering. His knowledge of the company, its business and its possibilities, as well as his familiarity with the investment community, make him a natural choice to represent the value of Seminis to this important audience,'' said Rodriguez.

Stowers joined Seminis in 1996 as vice president of worldwide marketing and has most recently held the title vice president of business development. Prior to his work with Seminis, he served as vice president of operations and information for Gargiulo Inc., a subsidiary of Monsanto Company, and as business development director for Monsanto.

Seminis is the largest developer, producer and marketer of vegetable seeds in the world. The company uses seeds as the delivery vehicle for innovative agricultural technology. Its products are designed to reduce the need for agricultural chemicals, increase crop yield, reduce spoilage, offer longer shelf life, create better tasting foods and foods with better nutritional content. Seminis has established a worldwide presence and global distribution network that spans 120 countries with 70 research stations in 19 countries and production sites in 32 countries. Seminis is a majority-owned subsidiary of Savia, a Mexico-based conglomerate with leadership positions in financial services, packaging and fresh foods.

Company news release
N2108