February 2026 proved to be an eventful month for personnel appointments across the agriculture sector. Companies such as Valmont, Vivent Biosignal, Micropep Technologies, and ProducePay all made notable changes to their teams.
Every month, AgTechNavigator compiles news regarding executive movements in the agriculture industry through its Movers & Shakers column. For any personnel news submissions, please reach out to Ryan Daily, Americas editor, at ryan.daily@wrbm.com.
Valmont Welcomes New CEO to Board
Valmont Industries, a prominent player in agriculture and infrastructure, announced the appointment of Paul Maass to its board of directors, effective February 23. With this addition, the board now comprises 11 members.
Maass serves as the CEO and board member for The Scoular Company, a global agribusiness generating over $7 billion in annual revenue. His previous role included presidency of the commercial foods and private brands segment for Conagra Brands, where he was instrumental in establishing the flour milling company Ardent Mills in partnership with Cargill.
Mogens Bay, Chairman of Valmont’s Board, expressed excitement about Maass’s expertise: “Paul’s extensive understanding of agricultural markets and global supply chains will be pivotal for Valmont, aligning well with our focus on disciplined growth and strategic investments to deliver value for shareholders.”
Earlier in the month, Valmont’s subsidiary, Valley Irrigation, unveiled its innovative center pivot technology designed specifically for smaller and irregularly shaped fields, ahead of the 2026 growing season.
Vivent Biosignal Adds Industry Veteran as CEO
Vivent Biosignal, focused on plant intelligence, announced the appointment of Fernando Derossi as its CEO and partner starting February 1. This follows a successful funding round of €7.5 million from notable investors like the Agri Investment Fund, Pymwymic, and Horticoop.
With over 20 years of experience across Europe, North America, and Latin America, Derossi has partnerships with organizations like BASF, Syngenta, and UPL Corporation.
“My mission is clear: scale Vivent Biosignals globally and deliver a reliable AI- and data-driven standard to aid farmers in eliminating hidden crop stress and optimizing inputs,” said Derossi. “We aim to bridge the gap between plant biology and AI, ensuring that all growers have access to advanced technology.”
Micropep Technologies Appoints Chief Program Officer
Micropep Technologies has appointed Kim White as its Chief Program Officer (CPO), adding her to the executive committee. In her new role, White will oversee the company’s global programs, facilitating a stronger integration of research and commercialization.
Before joining Micropep, White held senior positions at Syngenta and Invaio, honing her operational and program expertise. She holds a Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from the University of Michigan and has conducted post-doctoral research in Biochemistry at Duke University.
“Kim’s leadership will be instrumental in transitioning Micropep from research to commercialization, ensuring all programs are effectively aligned and executed,” said Georg Goeres, CEO of Micropep.
ProducePay Expands Sales Team
Fresh produce digital platform, ProducePay, announced the acquisition of Greg Samels as the new Director of Key Accounts. Bringing 30 years of experience from major companies like Heartland Produce, Kapi Kapi Growers, and Del Monte Fresh Produce, Samels is set to strengthen ProducePay’s operations.
“Joining ProducePay is an exciting opportunity to enhance the predictability and efficiency of the fresh produce supply chain,” Samels expressed. “Our integrated suite of services is designed to provide real value for both buyers and sellers in the market.”
