Verdesian Life Sciences, LLC (Verdesian) is bolstering its sales force to further enhance customer focus and service. The new sales representatives will work with growers, retail partners and distributors to oversee technical training and product education.
"As the leader in plant health and nutrition, we strive to provide the highest-quality assistance to our customers," said Greg Thompson, chief operating officer for Verdesian. "The livelihoods of farmers are dependent on the decisions they make, and they can take comfort in knowing they are talking to someone knowledgeable and experienced in the agriculture industry."
Steve Pickle and Don Stork are joining the Verdesian team as technical sales representatives in the Nutritionals division. Merlin Blackwood will be transferring from the Nutritionals division and serve as a technical sales representative in the Seed Treatments & Inoculants division. Dave Kaltenberg will be moving into the role of product specialist for More Than Manure® (MTM®) Nutrient Manager. Each team member will manage all sales and customer accounts in their respective territories.
"We are excited to have Merlin, Dave, Steve and Don in these new roles," Thompson said. "They each bring at least 15 years of industry experience, and we look forward to the value they will offer our customers in their territories."
New Sales Team Members
Merlin Blackwood
Merlin Blackwood is a technical sales representative for the Seed Treatments & Inoculants division, serving customers in northern Alabama, Arkansas, northern Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. Prior to this role, Blackwood served as a sales representative for Northwest Ag Products and held sales and agronomy positions for Lawrence Farmers Coop and CPS. Blackwood earned his bachelor's degree in agricultural business and minor in marketing from Middle Tennessee State University.
Dave Kaltenberg
Dave Kaltenberg is a product specialist for More Than Manure. Prior to this role, Kaltenberg served as a regional account manager for SFP and a sales representative for Tri County Cooperative, T H Agri-Chemicals, Widen Enterprises and Royster-Clark. Kaltenberg earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Steve Pickle
Steve Pickle is a technical sales representative for the Nutritionals division serving customers in North Dakota and South Dakota. Before joining Verdesian, Pickle worked as a specialty products technical manager for Gavilon Fertilizer, a regional account manager for SFP and spent time at United Suppliers, Inc. and United Agri Products. Pickle earned his bachelor's degree in crop and weed science from North Dakota State University and is a Certified Crop Advisor (CCA).
Don Stork
Don Stork is a technical sales representative for the Nutritionals division serving customers in northern Illinois, northeast Iowa and Wisconsin. Prior to joining Verdesian, Stork worked as a regional manager for StollerUSA and as an agronomy sales specialist for Cooperative Plus, Inc. Stork studied business at the University of Dubuque.
About Verdesian Life SciencesFounded in 2012, Verdesian Life Sciences offers patented biological, nutritional, seed treatment & inoculant technologies for high-value specialty crops, row crops, and turf and ornamental markets. Verdesian's plant-health products, nutritional catalysts and seed treatments/inoculants help growers farm more efficiently to maximize yields. Verdesian's technologies answer the needs facing agriculture including increasing pressures on food demand, supply and food safety. Verdesian remains committed to the research and development of environmentally sustainable products. Further information about Verdesian is available at www.vlsci.com.
11.13.2014