MBI promotes two senior executives

The US biopesticide company Marrone Bio Innovations (MBI) recently announced promotions for two senior executives.

Hector Absi was named to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer for the company. Previously the Sr. Vice President of Commercial Operations, Absi joined MBI in September 2012. In his new position, he will be responsible for the company’s global sales and marketing, business development, supply chain, and manufacturing teams and will continue to oversee the operation of its Michigan manufacturing facility.

Dr. Alison Stewart was promoted to Sr. Vice President of R&D and Chief Technical Officer. Her responsibilities in this newly added position include the management of all the company’s R&D personnel and operations. She will also continue to lead the technology in-licensing and intellectual property activities of MBI. Dr. Stewart joined MBI as its first Chief Science Officer in April 2013 from Lincoln University in New Zealand. There she was the Distinguished Professor of Plant Pathology in the Bio-Protection Research Centre. Dr. Stewart retains the title of Emeritus Professor with the university.

Dr. Pam Marrone, CEO and Founder of MBI, commented on the promotions, “Both Alison and Hector have made significant contributions to expanding our organization and meeting our corporate goals and objectives.  Under Hector’s leadership our 2013 sales were significantly increased over the previous years. We expanded into the row crop segment, and had a successful national launch of our first insecticide. In her short time at MBI, Alison has brought her global biopesticide experience not only to our R&D organization but has utilized it to enhance our in-licensing and IP capabilities, as well as recruit and form our first international scientific advisory panel. In addition to successfully leading their own teams, both Hector and Alison provided significant leadership through MBI’s most challenging and rewarding year.”