Bayer Names New Leads of Crop Science North America and The Climate Corporation

Bayer announced today that two seasoned leaders and accomplished scientists have been named to the key roles of President of Crop Science North America and Head of The Climate Corporation and Digital Farming.

Dr. Jacqueline Applegate will assume her new role at Crop Science March 1. Dr. Jeremy Williams will assume his new responsibilities at Climate on March 15. Both will continue to be based in St. Louis. Applegate, who will also join the global Crop Science Executive Leadership Team, will be responsible for the commercial performance of the Crop Science Division in the United States and Canada, including the consumer Roundup business. Williams, who will also join the global Crop Science Executive Leadership Team, will lead Bayer’s digital farming strategy and data science capabilities globally – including Climate FieldView performance in North America.

Applegate has a Ph.D. in organic chemistry and currently serves as Head of Global Vegetable Seeds & Environmental Science, where she leads operations, strategic planning and product development for the two business units. Williams, who has a Ph.D. in molecular biophysics, currently serves as Head of Plant Biotechnology and is a member of the Research and Development Leadership Team. He will replace Mike Stern, who has chosen to retire after more than 30 years of distinguished service at Bayer, most recently as Head of The Climate Corporation and Digital Farming.

Applegate and Williams are strong leaders with records of successfully guiding teams through change and
transformation, said Brett Begemann, Chief Operating Officer, Bayer Crop Science.

"This is an exciting time of fast evolution in agriculture, where new opportunities abound and our work to uncover them for farmers is more critical than ever,” he said. “Jackie and Jeremy are dynamic and impactful leaders intensely focused on the farmers we serve and earning their business every season.”