Syngenta names Michael Cottingham North America Senior Communications Manager

Syngenta announced the appointment of Michael Cottingham as Senior Communications Manager for Syngenta North America US Crop Protection, a leading science-based ag tech company that brings plant potential to life.

Photo Credit: J. Harris Photography & Design

In his role, Cottingham will be responsible for working closely with the Crop Protection and Corporate Communications team, leading media relations and issues management efforts.

″Syngenta produces industry-leading products and technologies that are shaping the future of agriculture. I am proud to join such an innovative team and look forward to collaborating with partners across America to help farmers meet increasing consumer demand for healthy and sustainable crop production,″ says Cottingham.

Cottingham is a North Carolina native whose professional career began with local news media and expanded into strategic planning, executive team leadership, government relations, social media management and more.

His most recent position was as chief marketing officer for United Way of Greater Greensboro, which is the third-largest market in North Carolina. During his tenure, Cottingham’s collaborative work helped secure a $10 million grant, the largest gift in the organization’s history. Prior to this role, Cottingham served as a Communications Director at Wake Forest Baptist Health, focusing on the health system’s Medicaid network.

Cottingham received his Bachelor of Arts from Mars Hill University.

He's also very involved in community activities, serving as a coach for youth soccer and softball teams, serving as a Boy Scouts of America den leader, and serving as an elected member of his homeowners’ association. Cottingham resides in Oak Ridge with his wife Julie, and two children.