Syngenta Professional Products named market managers for the golf and lawn markets, as well as a district sales manager for the Midwest and a territory manager for Northern California.
Dave Ravel was named golf market manager, Robert Goglia was named lawn care market manager, and Todd Loecke and Diana Nesbit were named Midwest sales manager and Northern California territory manager, respectively.
Ravel, the golf market manager, is marking his return to Syngenta after four years.
Ravel rejoins Syngenta after most recently serving as head of sales for consumer products with Bayer Environmental Science. Previous to that, he had been with Syngenta and legacy company Novartis from 1997 to 2003. Ravel graduated from Slippery Rock University with a degree in environmental education and earned an M.B.A. from Frederick Taylor University.
“Returning to Syngenta is like coming home,” Ravel says. “Obviously, I’ve kept a close eye on the company as a competitor for the last four years. Syngenta has significantly grown their offering of products and services to the golf market. I look forward to continuing the Syngenta commitment of providing superintendents with the tools they need to create conditions worthy of devotion on their courses.”
Ravel’s experience is deeply rooted in the golf market. At Syngenta, he served as a field sales representative for the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions, regional sales manager for the Midwest, and program manager which included responsibilities in the golf market. With Bayer Environmental Science, he served as regional golf sales manager for the Southeast. He is a long-term member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and has actively participated in industry events to help guide the successes of superintendents.
Robert Goglia will be responsible for all Syngenta programs, initiatives and operations in the lawn and landscape markets. Goglia brings a wealth of leadership in the lawn market, stemming from his six years of field experience as a Syngenta territory manager servicing customers in northeastern United States. Prior to joining Syngenta, Goglia was a territory and account manager for Monsanto Company.
Goglia holds a Bachelor’s degree in economics from Pennsylvania State University and a Master’s degree from Wake Forest University. He also holds a short-course certification in turfgrass management from Cornell University.
“Bob is exactly the right leader for the lawn market with his experience of working in the field with lawn care operators, serving their needs and helping to solve problems,” says Steve Spain, head of Syngenta Lawn and Garden. “A growing number of our leadership team members have direct field experience. We feel that this is important because it enables Syngenta to understand customer needs, and to fill them to the best of our ability.”
Loecke, a veteran in the Syngenta sales force, served in both the turf and ornamental markets for the upper Midwest as a territory manager. A native of that region and a graduate of Iowa State University, Loecke started his career with Syngenta more than 15 years ago.
Loecke’s involvement in the industry led him to be awarded the Meritorious Service Award from the Iowa Turf Grass Institute in 2005.
“My loyalty to Syngenta and our customers for the past 15 years demonstrates how proud I feel to be part of this company.” Loecke says. “Syngenta is committed to serving the industry and our customers, and serving them well. I am looking forward to working with the territory managers in the Midwest and building on our previous successes.”
Before joining Syngenta, Nisbet held sales and leadership positions including turf and ornamental sales specialist for SePro Corporation. She also served as senior sechnical sales representative with Crompton Corporation, responsible for marketing and sales in greenhouse and field grown nursery crops, and has been in turf and landscape management for over 10 years. At Crompton, Nisbet played a critical role in introducing Bonzi® ornamental growth regulator to the Southwest US.
Nisbet brings to Syngenta over 30 years of expertise in crop production, governmental and public affairs. Nisbet, whose family has farmed in California for four generations, has been a licensed Pest Control Advisor (PCA) since 1975. Nisbet has held key positions in industry organizations, including state president of California Association of Pest Control Advisors (CAPCA) and president of the Coalition for Urban/Rural Environmental Stewardship (CURES). Nisbet was recognized as CAPCA Member of the Year in 1999 for playing a key role in organizing an outreach campaign for crop advisors. In 1997, Nisbet was honored as Ambassador of the Year by the Western Plant Health Association, formerly Western Crop Protection Association. Nisbet received her bachelor’s degree in animal science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA.
“I am eager to utilize my expertise in the field of plant growth regulation and Integrated Pest Management,” Nisbet says. “Additionally I look forward to implementing the strategic programs Syngenta currently has in place to facilitate the growth of top quality crops and turf management with growers, professional turf managers and golf course superintendents.”
For more information about the Syngenta portfolio of products and services, please contact your local Syngenta territory manager or authorized Syngenta channel partner, or the Syngenta Customer Center at 866/796-4368.