Jose Aponte
Ankeny,IA
Summary
Expert in product development and plant breeding, coupled with a proven track record of leadership focused on achieving business objectives. Known for strong organizational prowess and effective strategy execution. Excel in cross-functional collaboration in areas such as continuous nursery, production and supply, and genotyping.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
NA Soy Market Segment Lead
Syngenta
11.2018 - Current
- Lead the NA soy pipeline for product development
- Developed the 5, 10, and 15-year strategies for product and trait deployment for soybeans
- Serve as a member of N.A Seed Development Leadership Team responsible for providing input into regional strategic decisions and investments
- Directly manage a team of scientists across the U.S. and Canada
- Manage a multi-million-dollar crop portfolio
- Lead the transformational design of trait introgression to enable speed to market
- Known for successfully deploying a product development strategy that has enabled a business growth of 40% on units sold over a three-year period
NA Soy Breeding Head
Syngenta
11.2017 - 11.2018
- Led and managed a team of scientists responsible for the NA soy pipeline
- Successfully deployed a product development strategy that supports multiple herbicide trait platforms simultaneously
- Implemented a trait introgression strategy that increased the number of successful outputs by 50%
- Effectively collaborated with parent seed and production to devise seed increase strategies that supported commercial growth aspirations
- Responsible for a multi-million-dollar portfolio spend
Genetic Project Team Lead-Central
Syngenta
08.2012 - 11.2017
- Responsible for the the largest soybean breeding pipeline consisting of RMs 2.0-3.5
- Directly managed two breeding scientists in the central U.S.
- Effectively mentored and onboarded new junior scientists into the soybean breeding program
- Successfully transformed a half diallel decision matrix into an automated tool where breeders could use mendelian genetics to design crosses and eliminate the creation of crosses lacking key traits
- Inventor of over 52 soybean varieties
- Developed flag-ship products like S27-M8X which generated sales of millions of units
Breeding Project Lead
Syngenta
03.2009 - 08.2012
- Responsible for a soybean breeding project for RMs 2.0-3.5
- Accountable for managing breeding populations, conducting field trials, and evaluating variety performance
- Worked seamlessly across functional groups such as trialing, operations, and portfolio & planning
- Successfully leveraging mendelian genetics concepts coupled with operational effectiveness to decrease waste from 12% to below 1% on first year yield trails
Education
Ph.D. - Plant Breeding & Plant Genetics
University of Nebraska
Lincoln, NE08.2008
Master of Science - Plant Breeding & Plant Genetics
University of Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico12.2004
Bachelor of Science - Agronomy
University of Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico05.2002
Skills
- Exceptional leadership: Expert in guiding teams to success through effective management and mentorship
- Cross-functional collaboration: Proficient in fostering cooperation across diverse teams to achieve shared objectives
- Effective communication: Skilled in conveying complex ideas and facilitating open dialogue for improved outcomes
- Technical expertise: Advanced proficiency in utilizing innovative methodologies to enhance pipelines
- Strategic planning: Able to develop concise short and long-term strategies aligned with business goals for sustainable growth
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
NA Soy Market Segment Lead
Syngenta
11.2018 - Current
NA Soy Breeding Head
Syngenta
11.2017 - 11.2018
Genetic Project Team Lead-Central
Syngenta
08.2012 - 11.2017
Breeding Project Lead
Syngenta
03.2009 - 08.2012
Ph.D. - Plant Breeding & Plant Genetics
University of Nebraska
Master of Science - Plant Breeding & Plant Genetics
University of Puerto Rico
Bachelor of Science - Agronomy
University of Puerto Rico