Key Takeaways
- David Schumacher joins Meristem Crop Performance as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) to lead sales, marketing, and commercial strategy.
- Schumacher brings over 30 years of experience in U.S. and global ag input leadership, including roles at Helm Agro and Winfield United.
- He aims to accelerate adoption of Meristem’s biological solutions, including its patented BIO-CAPSULE delivery system.
- Schumacher’s appointment is expected to strengthen Meristem’s dealer network and customer reach across the U.S.
- His personal commitment to improving farm productivity and global food access aligns with Meristem’s mission.
Meristem Crop Performance’s Leadership Announcement
Meristem Crop Performance® (Profile) has named David Schumacher as its new Chief Commercial Officer, a move aimed at scaling the company’s commercial operations and expanding its reach across the U.S. agriculture sector. Schumacher will oversee sales, marketing, and dealer network growth as Meristem expands its biologicals and crop input portfolio.
“We are so excited to have Dave sign on with Meristem,” said Mitch Eviston, Founder and CEO of Meristem Crop Performance®. “He is uniquely qualified to lead this team of all-stars that we’ve assembled to serve more and more farmers with Meristem’s growing product portfolio.”
Industry Veteran with Global Experience
Schumacher began his career at Ciba-Geigy (now Syngenta) and has held senior roles in both U.S. and international agribusiness. Most recently, he served nearly seven years at Helm Agro, first as President of Helm Agro US and later as Executive Vice President responsible for international expansion.
His earlier roles include Vice President of Marketing at Winfield United, where he managed a multibillion-dollar crop protection business, and later Vice President & General Manager of a joint venture in South Africa under Land O’Lakes.
“Dave has exactly the right experience, business skills, and dedication we need at Meristem Crop Performance to build out our dealer network and our efficiency as we take it to next level,” said Eviston.
A Personal Mission to Improve Global Agriculture
Raised on a dairy farm in Illinois, Schumacher holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business from Southern Illinois University and an MBA from Butler University. His career reflects a long-standing commitment to helping farmers maximize productivity. “When we don’t have enough production in the world, there are many in Africa who can’t eat,” said Schumacher. “That drives my desire to help farmers make the most of every seed they plant.”
He sees biologicals as the next frontier in agriculture, emphasizing the role of Meristem’s BIO-CAPSULE delivery system in combining biologicals and synthetics for improved farm outcomes. “Meristem is on the cutting edge of delivering results with biologicals,” Schumacher added. “I’m very excited to see how these new combinations will positively impact farmer results and feed more people worldwide.”
Looking Ahead For Meristem Crop Performance
Schumacher’s leadership is expected to strengthen Meristem’s position in the competitive ag input market. As CCO, his focus will be on scaling the company’s commercial footprint, advancing product adoption, and continuing Meristem’s mission to support farm profitability and sustainability through innovation.
