Jim Blome today was named executive vice president (EVP) and chief operating officer (COO) of Valent U.S.A. Corp. In his new role, Blome will oversee all day-to-day operations of the company's growing agricultural, professional and consumer products business units in the United States and Canada.
"Jim brings a wealth of industry experience to this role, combined with outstanding leadership skills. I am confident he will add significant value to this key affiliate of Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.," said Mike Donaldson, president and chief executive officer of Valent U.S.A. Corp., Valent BioSciences Corp. and the Latin America and Mexico Regions of Sumitomo Chemical. "Our industry is rapidly changing with the creation of many new opportunities. Valent U.S.A. is focused on providing best-in-class, value-added solutions to customers in every major market segment – and Jim is the right person to help us meet that vision."
In his new position, Blome will work closely with Valent's leadership team to continue the company's strong growth, which in recent years has included several introductions of new products and active ingredients.
This trend is expected to continue as the company gears up for the introduction of additional new products for agricultural crops, seed protection initiatives, professional markets and consumer home and garden uses.
For nearly 25 years, Blome has worked in various sales, marketing, business and product development roles in the global agricultural and crop protection industries. He has held a range of management and leadership roles at such companies as Agriliance LLC, FMC Corp., Agtrol Chemical Products, Griffin Corp. and Nufarm Ltd.
Prior to joining Valent, he oversaw crop protection, fertilizer and agricultural retail projects for AgriCapital Corp., where he managed mergers, acquisitions and capitalization for leading agricultural and biotechnology companies.
Originally from Hubbard, Iowa, Blome holds a bachelor's degree in agronomy from Iowa State University. He also has completed additional business and marketing programs at the University of Northern Iowa, the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Chicago.