Sakata Seed America welcomes new Sweet Pepper Lead and Plant Breeder, Brian Just

Sakata Seed America is proud to announce the addition of well-known industry plant breeder, Brian Just, as the company’s new Sweet Pepper Lead and Senior Plant Breeder. Brian brings over 15 years of sweet pepper breeding experience to the role, previously working with other industry leaders, including Seminis, Monsanto and Bayer.

Brian joins an already robust team of passionate personnel leading Sakata’s sweet pepper program. With the addition of Brian, Sakata will continue to build a strong sweet pepper program at the forefront of innovation and quality.

“I am very excited to join a company with a reputation like Sakata’s. They take pride in what they do and invest in the future of our industry. I believe the success of a breeding program is driven by the creativity and the vision of the breeding group and the support of the wider commercial team. I look forward to what we can accomplish together,” states Brian.

Brian boasts 19 issued germplasm and trait patents with several industry-leading products worldwide currently in the sweet pepper category. His work in markets including the US, Mexico, South America, Central America, Australia, Europe and Israel will help Sakata solidify and expand its role as a global leader in the growing sweet pepper segment and beyond.

“Brian is well-known and greatly respected in the industry for his influential work driving breeding efforts forward in a highly collaborative way. We are excited to welcome Brian and look forward to his contributions to the team as we continue to strive to breed and produce the best genetics in the market,” says Jeff Zischke, Senior Director, Research & Development at Sakata.

Brian Just obtained his Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2004 and holds a Master’s Degree in Plant Breeding from Cornell University.