b"QUALIFICATIONS AS A TOP CEO:1.He can see down the road. Churkos ability to envision the transformation of FP Genetics and its corporate culture is a testament to his visionary leadership. A CEO must have the foresight to see beyond the status quo and inspire their team to strive for continuous growth and improvement.2.He can adapt in times of crisis. Churkos ability to handle the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic showcases his adaptability. He can navigate through crises with poise, ensuring that the organization remains resilient while addressing the needs and concerns of the team.3.He plays the long game. Churko underscores the patience required in leadership. He understands that some decisions take time to yield results and he remains persistent in pursuing the organizations goals, even when the outcomes are not immediate.REBUILDINGLOW PROFILE, HIGH CORPORATE CULTURE GOALSChris Churko Greg Gerard QUALIFICATIONS ASFP Genetics JoMar Seeds A TOP CEO:Milestone, Sask. Plymouth, IndianaJoMar Seeds doesnt have a website or1.He creates big industry impact In the world of corporate leadership,a social media presence. Calling thewith a low-key presence: Despite Chris Churko stands out. FP Geneticscompany low-key would be an under- the companys virtually non-existent has enjoyed big achievements over thestatement. online profile, Greg Gerard and last few years. Of them all, ChurkoYet, JoMar plays a huge role in theJoMar Seeds have managed to emphasizes the rebuilding the corporateCanadian wheat landscape, with overmake a huge impact in the Canadian wheat landscape. culture at FP Genetics is one of the most70 major varieties on the market in the2.He champions small significant changes of all.U.S. and Canada. JoMar has the Fhb1independent players: In an era During COVID, we had some bigfusarium resistance gene stacked withdominated by mergers and changes in our team. It provided us withindustry-leading yield in almost every softmultinational corporations, he an opportunity to put people in roles thatred winter wheat variety it licenses out. has shown there is still a place for they were ready for, he says. JoMar Seeds increasing market sharesmall, independent seed licensing Today, what we have is a team that'sproves there is room in the seed licens- businesses. By maintaining a 50-50 incredibly motivated, no matter whereing business for small independents, saysownership of JoMar Seeds with they are in the organization. They comeCEO Greg Gerard. his brother Bryan, he highlights to work with enthusiasm, eager to col- I feel fortunate to represent breed- the resilience and potential for laborate. Theyre genuinely committeders who have integrated important traitsgrowth among smaller players in the to each others success, and its not justthroughout their breeding programs. Itsindustry.about individual achievements; its aboutbeen quite a journey. I remember when3.He has a track record of teamwork. This shift has been a game- we first introduced FHB resistance insuccess: Gregs previous experience changer for us. our wheat varieties; I was talking to somein seed licensing with JGL Inc., During that same period, FP madeuniversity breeders about it, and when Iwhich licensed varieties to over 100 a complete reinvestment in its portfolio,mentioned that most of our new releasesseed companies in more than 10 particularly its retail arm, which essen- were FHB-resistant, their immediatecountries across three continents, tially is made up of shareholders.concern was yield, he says. demonstrates his track record of He acknowledges the importanceTheir perspective soon changed.success in the field. His ability to lead small-sized yet high-capacity of patience as many leadership deci- University breeders began to see that itventures is a testament to his sions take time to bear fruit in the seedwas indeed possible to have both yieldleadership skills.industry. and FHB resistance in wheat varieties. 4.He knows the value of Looking ahead, Churko hints at theIt showed the power that Gregpersonalized customer engagement: future direction of FP Genetics, men- Gerard and JoMar Seeds have in work- JoMar Seeds caters effectively to tioning their international expansioning with breeders and commercializethe unique needs of companies of all and increasing activities in the U.S. andnew technologies that have ripple effectssizes.Europe.across borders.NOVEMBER 2023GERMINATION.CA 19"