Dow AgroSciences’ Morris Named U.S. Government and Public Affairs Leader

****Updated on 2/13/14 at 10:30 a.m.****
INDIANAPOLIS — Dave Morris, commercial leader for the Dow AgroSciences U.S. Urban Pest Management and global leader for the Sentricon System and Dithiopyr herbicides, has been named U.S. government and public affairs leader for Dow AgroSciences.

In the newly created position, Morris told PCT he will align and leverage government and public affairs efforts in the United States with the corporation’s global government and public affairs team. He will lead a team of federal and state government and public affairs managers working on issues across the portfolio.

Morris continues to report to Stan Howell, vice president for the company’s North America commercial unit. Greater focus in government and public affairs is necessary, Howell says, to help continue the rapid growth of Dow AgroSciences as it develops and brings new technologies to its customers in agriculture and the specialties markets, as well as defending its freedom to operate with current products in existing market segments.

Replacing Morris is Paul Simons, who most recently served as global asset director in the Chemicals Business Unit at Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Mich. Simons previously worked for Kimberly-Clark. He holds a MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla.

Morris is well-known in the pest management and turf and ornamentals industries. He has worked for Dow AgroSciences since 1982, when he joined the company as a field sales representative (see timeline below).

In an email sent to industry colleagues on Feb. 12, Morris wrote, “I wanted to write you personally and thank you for your support of our business, as well as me personally during my tenure as leader of our Urban Pest Management business. I have truly enjoyed the time back in this business and as you know I grew up in this business, so it is with some anxiety that I move on. My new role will be a challenging, new learning experience for me and I am excited to begin that new chapter in my career. But, I leave a business I love, an industry full of great people and some deep friendships that have developed. While I won’t be spending a majority of my time in this industry, we do have issues in this space that will still allow me to be involved.”

Dave Morris Timeline 1980 — Dave Morris earns bachelor’s degree in entomology/plant pathology from University of Delaware 1982 — Morris earns master’s degree in entomology from Virginia Tech 1982 — Morris joins Dow AgroSciences as a field sales representative in the Northeast focused on specialty insecticides sold into the pest management and turf and ornamental markets 1982 — Dursban TC termiticide launched 1986 — Morris named Product Manager for Dursban TC and Vikane gas fumigant 1989 — Morris named district sales manager in the Midwest for the Pest Management and Turf & Ornamental businesses 1994 — Morris named group marketing manager for Turf & Ornamental business 1995 — Sentricon System commercially launched in U.S. 1997 — Morris named global business leader for Telone Soil Fumigant 1999 — Morris named global business leader for Spinosad insecticide 2002 — Morris named global commercial processes leader 2004 — Morris named commercial leader for Pest Management 2004 — ProFume gas fumigant registered in United States 2007 — Morris named commercial leader, Urban Pest Management Business, which combines Turf & Ornamental and Pest Management businesses