After 15 years, Sakata Seed America's Dave Armstrong will move from president and CEO to executive chairman, effective April 1. Eduardo Flores will assume the position of president and CEO, taking over operational responsibility and leading Sakata Seed America into its next phase of growth.
Flores joined Sakata Seed America in 2021 as chief operating officer and has helped adapt the company’s supply chain capabilities to a growing crop portfolio. He also helped the company through the recent relocation of Sakata’s regional headquarters to Woodland, California.
Flores brings more than 20 years of experience in leading regional businesses, commercial activities, supply chain management, and strategy development for global breeding companies. He holds a master's degree in business from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a bachelor's degree in engineering from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education.
John Nelson, currently serving as executive vice president, will take on the role of executive advisor and support the business during this transition. Nelson will continue to work until his planned retirement in January 2026, capping a 30-plus year career with Sakata.
Additionally, Hiroyuki Hashimoto will step into the role of vice president, further strengthening the company’s executive team.
Reflecting on his tenure as President-CEO, Dave Armstrong stated:
"It has been an incredible honor to lead Sakata Seed America for the past fifteen and a half years. I am immensely proud of our success, our teams, culture, and the impact we’ve made in the seed industry," Armstrong says. "As I step into the role of executive chairman, I look forward to supporting the company’s continued success under Ed’s leadership."
"It's an honor to be chosen to serve Sakata Seed America, a company I have long admired and respected given its strong legacy of innovation, collaboration, and commitment to our customers and partners. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this exceptional organization and continue driving our mission forward," Flores says.
