MAI announces new appointments

The Makhteshim Agan Group (“MAI”) announced three new senior appointments which will support the Company in fully utilizing the business potential of its recent strategic moves.

Mr. Erez Vigodman, Makhteshim Agan’s President and CEO, commented: “over the last two years we have taken significant strides in the execution of our strategic growth plan covering many aspects of our operations. During the same period, we also accomplished major business milestones including, most recently, the completion of the ChemChina transaction. The new appointments, which we announce today, will allow us to extract the most out of prospects that emerge from our recent changes.

"Dr. Lichtenstein led with great success comprehensive operational initiatives during his tenure as SVP of Global Resources and Corporate Development. In his new role of Deputy CEO, Mr. Lichtenstein will be responsible for the integration process in China with the goal of exhausting the commercial and operational opportunities that lie with it. In addition, Dr. Lichtenstein will continue to lead our global corporate development activities.

"I would like to welcome Dr. Abramov to our executive management team. Dr. Abramov’s experience as CEO of Baran and as COO and Deputy CEO of the Nuclear Research Center-Negev in Israel will serve him well within our organization. I am confident that Dr. Abramov’s exceptional professional knowledge and experience will assist in his quick integration into our management team and in his ability to face our future challenges.

The appointment of Ms. Patishi-Chillim demonstrates the importance we see in managing our communication activities globally, this is especially important given our continued expansion and our future growth aspirations.”

The appointments announced today include:

Dr. Chen Lichtenstein as Deputy CEO: Dr. Lichtenstein joined the Makhteshim Agan Group in 2006. Three years ago, Mr. Lichtenstein established MAI’s Global Resources Division, combining all of the group’s operational activities including manufacturing, supply chain, procurement and R&D. Prior to that he served as Executive Director of Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs in New York and London.  Dr. Lichtenstein holds joint doctoral degrees from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business and School of Law, and B.Sc (Physics) and LL.B from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Dr. Eli Abramov as SVP of Global Resources: Dr. Abramov brings with him 20 years of executive experience, including serving as CEO of Baran, Israel’s largest engineering and project management group, where he managed a stabilization process that led to a significant improvement in the company’s business results. Prior to that, Dr. Abramov served in various operational and managerial roles at the Nuclear Research Center-Negev in Israel, including serving as COO and Deputy CEO. Dr. Abramov holds a Ph.D. summa cum laude in Materials Science and Engineering from the Ben Gurion University, and serves as Chairman of the Board for both the Beer Sheva College for Engineering and the Advanced Technological Center in Dimona (TEMED).

Effective April 1st, 2012 Dr. Abramov will assume responsibility for MAI’s global operational activities including chemical R&D, manufacturing, supply chain, quality control, inventory management, and HSE (Health Safety and Environment) activities.

Ms. Rony Patishi-Chillim as SVP of Global Corporate Communications: Ms. Patishi-Chillim joined MAI as Head of Global Corporate Communication in January 2010. Prior to joining MAI, Ms. Chillim-Patishi served as Senior Vice President of Investment Banking at Barclays Capital (formerly Lehman Brothers) in Israel and New York. Ms. Patishi-Chillim holds an MBA from Boston University Graduate School of Management and a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Comparative Literature from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.