FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WALNUT CREEK Calif., February. 5, 2009 – Sumitomo Chemical Company, Ltd. today announced that Michael Donaldson has been named President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Valent U.S.A. Corporation, Valent BioSciences Corporation, and the Region Americas operating entities, effective immediately. In this newly created role, Mr. Donaldson will be responsible for strategic oversight of the Valent U.S.A. and Valent BioSciences businesses, as well as for the Latin America, Mexico and Canadian regions of Sumitomo Chemical.
As a result of the appointment of Mr. Donaldson as President and CEO, openings of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer have been created in both Valent U.S.A. and Valent BioSciences. These positions will be responsible for managing the day to day business operations for each company and achieving the short and mid range business plans. Both positions will report to Mr. Donaldson. Recruitment is now underway to fill the position at Valent U.S.A. The position at Valent BioSciences will be filled in due course, with Mr. Donaldson maintaining direct management until the position is filled at a later date.
Mr. Kenjiro Fukubayashi, President of Agricultural Chemicals Sector, Sumitomo Chemical and Chairman of both Valent U.S.A and Valent BioSciences said, “The success of both Valent U.S.A and Valent BioSciences is critical to the overall growth of the SCC global Ag-business. To have a leading position for both chemical and biorational products places Sumitomo Chemical in a very unique position, and is a strength of the global SCC group. Mike’s new assignment to provide strategic oversight to Valent U.S.A, Valent BioSciences and the entire Americas Region will enhance our future business and support our core initiatives of Differentiation, Business Creation and Innovation.”
Mr. Donaldson has over 28 years of experience in leading global teams for both traditional and biorational products in Agriculture, Forestry and Public Health business areas. He was previously President and Chief Operating Officer of Valent BioSciences Corporation, headquartered in Libertyville, Illinois. He has been in this role since 2000, when Sumitomo Chemical acquired the business from Abbott Laboratories. During his tenure, Mr. Donaldson was responsible for significantly growing the company through various business and product acquisitions, product life cycle management of existing base products, and introduction of new products and technologies into new markets in all major regions of the world.
Prior to joining Valent BioSciences, Mr. Donaldson held various technical and business leadership positions in a major pharmaceutical company, as well as a global agricultural chemical company. He is on the Board of Directors of the Biopesticide Industry Alliance Organization (BPIA), a Board member of Illinois Biotechnology Industry Association (iBIO), and on the Advisory Board of MeisterPro Publications (Meister Media Worldwide). He has an MS degree in Bacteriology and Biochemistry, with post graduate business training in Sales, Marketing and global business management.
For more information about Valent products, Valent U.S.A. Corporation or the full product line, call 800-6-VALENT (682-5368) or visit the Valent Web site at www.valent.com.