Jim Spadafora promoted to Global Product Development at Arysta LifeScience

Arysta LifeScience is pleased to announce that Jim Spadafora has been promoted to the position of Head of Global Product Development, reporting to Paula Pinto, the company’s head of global marketing. Based in Cary, N.C., Spadafora will be responsible for building a global product development team that will drive global development projects, including the coordination of product efficacy testing, formulation development and intellectual property (IP) strategies. Other accountabilities include leading a global research & development prioritization process; creating a strong global formulation network; and establishing a team of global field researchers at the company’s research farm in Brazil to support early screening activities and southern hemisphere testing for all regions.

"We are thrilled to have Jim in this new role, where he will ultimately be responsible for delivering novel, differentiated solutions to our customers worldwide,” said Pinto. “As a global company, leveraging chemistries in multiple markets is one of our growth strategies, and Jim has the expertise and knowledge to maximize our opportunities in that area.”

Spadafora joined Arysta LifeScience in 2009 as Product Development Manager, Fungicides and Fumigants, in North America and has been driving the technical, label development and stewardship programs for MIDAS® and KASUMIN® in addition to supporting the successful introduction and label extensions of EVITO® (fluoxastrobin) into the U.S. market.

Prior to joining Arysta LifeScience, Spadafora held multiple leadership positions in international product development, strategic marketing and discovery research at FMC, Nufarm, BASF, and American Cyanamid, with a particular focus in fungicide markets and technologies. Spadafora has a Ph.D. degree in plant pathology from Pennsylvania State University, a master’s of science degree in botany and plant pathology from the University of Maine and a bachelor’s of arts degree in biology from LaSalle University. Spadafora has contributed to 11 published patents, 23 external publications and numerous internal technical presentations in the fields of plant pathology, entomology and plant protection.