Valent BioSciences Names New Executive Vice President

Ted Melnik has joined Valent BioSciences Corp. (VBC) as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Beginning August 26, Ted will assume leadership for the day-to-day business operations of VBC including responsibility for achieving its short- and mid-range business plans.

Melnik will report directly to Mike Donaldson, President and CEO of VBC. He joins Andy Lee, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Valent U.S.A. Corp. and Roberto Carpentier, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Pace International as recent additions to the Sumitomo and VBC Management team.
Melnik fills a position that was envisioned in 2009 when Donaldson’s responsibilities expanded to include leadership of Sumitomo Chemical’s Health and Crop Sciences companies in NAFTA and Latin America, as well as his continuing role as Executive Officer at SCC in Tokyo.

According to Donaldson, Melnik’s history of innovation and leadership in biorational development for agriculture align well with the company’s future growth expectations. “Ted’s experience and first-hand knowledge of the biorationals business and industry make him an excellent fit for this important position,” Donaldson said. “The business models of VBC, Valent U.S.A. and Pace International each have unique requirements and roles within the global SCC agricultural market segments. Ted’s addition will allow for increased collaboration and synergies between all SCC Regional affiliate companies worldwide, including both conventional and biorational crop production solutions.”

Melnik comes to VBC with more than 30 years of experience including leadership positions with both biorational and conventional chemistry companies. In 2001, Melnik was named President of the newly created Novozymes Biologicals Inc., a position he held until 2010. Melnik has a proven track record of leadership in global business management, operations, acquisitions and integrations, marketing, and new product development. He also has significant experience in the management of biological manufacturing operations and will play a key role in overseeing the commissioning of VBC’s new $150 million biorational manufacturing facility in Osage, IA, that will come on line in 2014.

“I am excited about the opportunities for VBC as well as the other Sumitomo Chemical affiliate companies around the world,” Melnik said. “With its continually expanding portfolio of innovative and high quality products, VBC has strengthened its position as the worldwide leader in the development and commercialization of biorationals. VBC’s recent acquisition of Pace International for postharvest solutions and the construction of its new biorational manufacturing plant in Osage, IA, are testaments to the company’s success, the vision of its leadership, and its commitment to its partners and customers worldwide.”