February 2026 was another busy month for personnel appointments across the agriculture industry, with Valmont, Vivent Biosignal, Micropep Technologies, and ProducePay sharing people news this month.
Each month, AgTechNavigator rounds up people news and executive appointments in the agriculture industry with the Movers & Shakers column. To submit people news, email Ryan Daily, Americas editor, at ryan.daily@wrbm.com.
Valmont adds outside CEO to board of directors
Agriculture and infrastructure company Valmont Industries appointed Paul Maass to its board of directors, effective Feb. 23, bringing the number of board members to 11.
Currently, Maass serves as the CEO and a member of the board of directors for The Scoular Company, a global agribusiness with over $7 billion in annual sales. Previously, he served as the president of the commercial foods and private brands segment for Conagra brands, helping create the flour milling and grain company Ardent Mills, alongside Cargill.
“We are pleased to welcome Paul to Valmont’s board of directors. His deep understanding of agricultural markets, global supply chains, and disciplined growth strategies, combined with his experience leading large, complex global organizations, will be a valuable asset to Valmont’s board. His perspective aligns well with Valmont’s focus on executing disciplined growth through strong operations and strategic investment, while delivering long-term value for shareholders,” Mogens Bay, Valmont chairman of the board, shared in a press release.
Earlier in February, Valmont subsidiary Valley Irrigation revealed its center pivot for smaller and irregularly shaped fields, ahead of the 2026 growing season, as AgTechNavigator previously reported.
Vivent Biosignal appoints industry vet to scale operations
Plant intelligence company Vivent Biosignal announced that Fernando Derossi has joined as its CEO and partner, effective Feb. 1. This comes after the start-up raised €7.5 million from the Agri Investment Fund, Pymwymic, and Horticoop last November.
Derossi joins the company with 20 years of industry and market experience in Europe, North America, and Latin America, having worked with ag leaders like BASF, Syngenta, and UPL Corporation.
“My mission is clear: scale Vivent Biosignals globally and deliver a trusted AI- and data-driven standard that helps farmers eliminate hidden crop stress, optimise inputs, and achieve the highest possible return on investment. Together, we are bridging the gap between plant biology and AI to ensure that every grower in the planet can have access to this technology,” Derossi said in a press release.
Micropep Technologies adds chief program officer
Micropep Technologies appointed Kim White to the role of chief program officer (CPO) and a member of the executive committee. White will oversee the company’s global programme and “strengthen the company’s integrated research-to-commercial operating model,” as shared in a press release.
Prior to Micropep, White held senior leadership roles at Syngenta and Invaio, where she held similar operational and programme responsibilities. White holds a doctorate in philosophy and biological chemistry from the University of Michigan and did post-doctoral research in biochemistry at Duke University.
“Kim’s appointment marks a pivotal milestone as Micropep transitions from pure research into a commercialization phase. Driving a project-based and customer-focused mindset across the organization is essential to scaling our innovations and delivering value to growers and partners. Kim’s leadership will ensure every program is aligned, prioritized, and executed with the rigor required to bring our micropeptide solutions to market,” said Georg Goeres, CEO of Micropep, in a press release.
ProducePay bolsters sales team
Fresh produce digital platform provider ProducePay named Greg Samels as director of key accounts. Samels joins the company with 30 years of experience in the fresh produce industry, having worked for companies such as Heartland Produce, Kapi Kapi Growers, and Del Monte Fresh Produce.
“I’m excited to join ProducePay and contribute to its mission of bringing more predictability and efficiency to the fresh produce supply chain. ProducePay’s integrated suite of services enables retailers and importers to build stronger buying programs. It’s a forward-thinking model that creates real value for both buyers and sellers,” Samels shared in a press release.
