Sakata Seed America Inc. says Eduardo Flores will assume the role of president and CEO starting April 1, adding that current President and CEO Dave Armstrong will transition to executive chairman, where he will provide strategic oversight and guidance for the business.
Flores joined Sakata Seed America in 2021 as chief operating officer and has played a significant role in adapting its supply chain capabilities to a growing crop portfolio, the company says. He also helped guide the company through its recent relocation of Sakata’s regional headquarters to Woodland, Calif.
Sakata Seed America says Flores brings more than 20 years of experience in leading regional businesses, commercial activities, supply chain management and strategy development for global breeding companies. He holds an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education.
“It’s an honor to be chosen to serve Sakata Seed America, a company I have long admired and respected given its strong legacy of innovation, collaboration, and commitment to our customers and partners,” Flores said in a news release. “I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this exceptional organization and continue driving our mission forward.”
The company says John Nelson, current executive vice president, will become an executive adviser to support the business during this transition and that he will continue to lend his expertise and leadership, developed over a 30-plus year career with Sakata, until his planned retirement January 2026. The company also says Hiroyuki “Hiro” Hashimoto will step into the role of vice president of its executive team.
“It has been an incredible honor to lead Sakata Seed America for the past fifteen and a half years. I am immensely proud of our success, our teams, culture, and the impact we’ve made in the seed industry,” Armstrong said in the release. “As I step into the role of executive chairman, I look forward to supporting the company’s continued success under Ed’s leadership.”
