All week, we are revealing the people whom you said are redefining leadership in the seed industry.
A Management Maverick tends to break away from conventional expectations, showing creativity and originality. This trait can be especially valuable in a seed industry that requires innovation and fresh perspectives. Mavericks are usually unafraid to forge new paths or to challenge the status quo, making them pivotal in driving change and progress in their environments.
We asked our readers to nominate leaders in North America with these characteristics. Now, we’re unveiling those who go beyond the ordinary, those who champion employee well-being and inclusion, those who nurture a culture of mentorship and those who excel in talent retention and career development. In alphabetical order, these are the Top Management Mavericks of North America. Next up, the Mexican honorees.
Francisco Mora Echegaray, President of Semillas del Caribe Board of Directors
Attributes: Visionary, Engaged, Empathetic, Strategic
Nominators said:
Francisco spearheaded an internal transformation, shifting the company from a traditional management approach to a self-managed model. Under this structure, teams elect their leaders who are empowered to make company decisions, which fosters a sense of ownership and enhances engagement in company direction. The approach delivers value to employees, clients, suppliers, partners and the community, evident in the company’s impressive annual growth rate of more than 15% for the past couple of years.
Francisco is a forward-thinking leader focused on long-term outcomes. He actively monitors market trends and advocates for ongoing enhancements within the organization to bolster strategy and ensure sustained profitability. His leadership has driven innovation in people management and organizational culture, championing a new philosophy and culture at the company that supports a thriving self-management framework.
Francisco believes true leadership transcends titles and hierarchy, focusing on attitude, passion and soft skills. Five years ago, he voluntarily stepped down from his CEO role to demonstrate the feasibility of transitioning to the self-management model. He initiated a visionary 9-year planning process, integrating insights from partners and collaborators to formulate a strategic vision. He consistently advocates for technological advancement with a focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship.
More About Francisco:
Francisco Mora, co-CEO and co-founder of Grupo Qualia, has more 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur. He has implemented the pillars of conscious capitalism and self-management in his organization, promoting and recognizing human talent. Since 2021, he has dedicated himself to sharing his knowledge to consciously create sustainable abundance.
Jerry Monk, Owner, Warner Seeds
Attributes: Dedication, Observant, Thoughtful, Connector, Encourager
Nominators said:
Jerry Monk has been a steadfast leader in the sorghum and small grain business for more than 50 years, contributing significantly to his local community and various regional and national organizations. Jerry’s dedication to improving agriculture for future generations is evident in his local initiatives and the strong relationships he maintains with former and current employees. He has successfully navigated industry changes and adapted the business model to remain relevant and impactful. Jerry’s ability to manage businesses in both the United States and Mexico, addressing each culture’s unique challenges, highlights his exceptional leadership.
Jerry’s managerial style is best exemplified by his motto, “God, Family, Work – in that order.” In the small grains and sorghum sector, a lean, horizontal structure is essential, where employees are cross-trained for various roles, and there is no slow season. To succeed, a close-knit “family” culture is crucial. Jerry fosters this culture by providing daily lunches to bring departments together and taking a genuine interest in employees’ personal goals and struggles. His caring managerial style creates a family atmosphere that enhances job satisfaction and performance.
Jerry has a talent for balancing attention to detail with a focus on long-term goals. One innovative approach was hiring a cook to prepare daily company meals, encouraging employees from different departments to interact without discussing work. This simple act broke down barriers, resolved misunderstandings, and improved communication and trust, leading to increased efficiencies and job satisfaction. Jerry also connects personally with new employees, taking them on plot tours and showing them different parts of the business. These tours help build relationships that he continues to nurture over the years.
More About Jerry:
Jerry Monk began his career in 1971, when James “Pat” Patrick hired him for retail sales and seed conditioning. After Pat’s sudden passing in 1973, Jerry took on managing the business, guided by his belief that “Where there is a will, there is a way.” He eventually bought into the company in 1984. He expanded into grain sorghum production, built a germplasm bank, and became a producer of all cereal grain seeds. In 1999, Jerry acquired Warner Seeds, expanding its germplasm bank and facilities.
Jerry also leads Warner International Seeds in Guadalajara, Mexico, and Warner Seeds SRL in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He has served as president of the Texas Seed Trade Association, Southern Seeds Association, and American Seed Trade Association (ASTA). In 2015, he was awarded ASTA’s Lifetime Honorary Member Award for his significant contributions to the industry.
Dania Rendón, General Manager, King Seeds
Attributes: Ambitious, Visionary, Empathetic, Innovative, Committed
Nominators said:
Dania is an exceptionally effective leader who has steered the Mexican company King Seeds to achieve a remarkable annual growth rate of 15%, a significant accomplishment in the Mexican agricultural industry. Through her leadership, Dania has guided her team of 25 professionals in successfully distributing high-quality seeds nationwide, establishing King Seeds as a trusted partner among medium and small-scale agricultural producers.
Dania fosters a close-knit environment within her team, ensuring that everyone feels empowered to suggest improvements. She actively promotes ongoing training for her team, emphasizing the application of newly acquired skills within the company—a practice aligned with their commitment to continuous improvement. Dania embraces technology to enhance sales processes and ensure transparent monitoring of company operations, setting her apart from other leaders in the agro-industrial sector.
Her role supports 25 families. She ensures the entire King Seeds team receives continuous training and applies their newfound knowledge to specific projects within the company. Dania prioritizes fostering a culture of trust, encouraging everyone to contribute. She developed her own method for identifying and recruiting talent, recognizing that traditional hiring processes don’t always yield the best results. Dania is an empathetic leader who connects and communicates frankly and directly with her team, generating a positive impact on their morale and performance.
More About Dania:
Dania has led King Seeds to become a leading company in the vegetable seed industry that has been present in Mexico for 28 years. With 13 years of experience in the industry, she has been a driving force behind the growth and institutionalization of the family business, achieving a 500% increase in sales since her incorporation.
She holds a degree in administration and international business from the Panamerican University of Guadalajara. Her desire for continuous learning led her to complete courses and certifications, including a master class in Scaling Up methodology, Strategic Sales Management and development of management skills at the Monterrey Institute of Technology. Dania has held various roles ranging from materials buyer, import manager, sales manager and general manager.
In her current role, she has led key projects, created a work culture based on teamwork and continuous improvement. She has driven the expansion of new sales areas, identified new suppliers and conducted annual strategic planning. Dania plans to continue her education and continue contributing to the Mexico seed industry through her involvement with the Mexican Seed Association.
José Manuel Villaverde, Agronomist, ASPROS
Attributes: Visionary, Empathetic, Competitive, Strategic, Attentive
Nominators said:
José stands out as a visionary and exceptional leader. Under his guidance, ASPROS has been able to compete with multinational corporations in the high-value hybrid corn seed market and build a specialized plant breeding team. His forward-thinking approach has yielded significant results, establishing ASPROS as a formidable competitor capable of rapidly bringing its innovations to market.
José combines a strong emphasis on individual performance with a results-oriented approach. His leadership is deeply human-centric; he is attentive to the well-being of his team members and actively supports them during personal or family challenges. This creates an optimal work environment, directly translating into positive outcomes for the company.
Recognizing that research in plant breeding is crucial for a successful seed company, José proposed strengthening the plant breeding program to compete in Mexico’s top corn seed markets. ASPROS now thrives due to his strategic recruitment of genetic improvement experts and the systematization of the breeding program with advanced equipment, software, and machinery. When employees propose innovations, José Manuel embraces and develops the ideas, ensuring the technology reaches producers.
He dleads two groundbreaking technologies: AgroOptimus and a functional hybrid. AgroOptimus counters the trend of increasing seed density to boost yield, recommending 60,000 corn seeds per hectare instead of the usual 110,000 to 120,000, without sacrificing yield. The functional hybrid technology involves active biological substances that enhance animal health and performance in livestock. Both technologies have the potential to significantly impact the corn hybrid seed market.
More About José:
José was born in Toluca, Mexico, into a family of farmers spanning four generations. He studied agribusiness at New Mexico State University and has worked in the corn seed industry for 22 years. José’s leadership at ASPROS led to a 40-year celebration of the company, focusing on continuous adoption of new technologies and innovative strategies to stay competitive. He is dedicated to honesty, hard work, and family, and enjoys spending his free time with his wife and three children. His core values drive his commitment to agriculture and community, ensuring ASPROS’s continued success in the industry.
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